Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 102 Part 1.djvu/748

 102 STAT. 710

PUBLIC LAW 100-360—JULY 1, 1988 curred in the year by (or on behalf of) the beneficiary and otherwise counted towards the catastrophic drug deductible in the year. "(D) DRUG BUY-OUT PLAN DEFINED.—In this paragraph, the term 'drug buy-out plan' means a plan under section 1833(a)(l)(A) or offered by an organization under section 1876 and with respect to which— "(i) the amount of any deductible under the plan with respect to covered outpatient drugs under this title, is less than 50 percent of— "(ii) the catastrophic drug deductible specified in paragraph (I)(C). "(E) MEDICARE BENEFICIARY DEFINED.—In this subsection, the term 'medicare beneficiary' means, with respect to a month, an individual covered for benefits under this part for the month. "(F) TREATMENT OF PLAN CHARGES.—In the case of covered outpatient drugs furnished by an eligible organization under section 1876(b) or an organization described in section 1833(a)(l)(A) which does not impose charges on covered outpatient drugs dispensed to its members, for purposes of this subsection the actual charges of the organization shall be the organization's standard charges to members, and other individuals, not entitled to benefits with respect to such drugs. "(7) PHYSICIAN GUIDE.—

"(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall develop, and update annually, an information guide for physicians concerning the comparative average wholesale prices of at least 500 of the most commonly prescribed covered outpatient drugs. Such guide shall, to the extent practicable, group covered outpatient drugs (including multiple source drugs) in a manner useful to physicians by therapeutic category or with respect to the conditions for which they are prescribed. Such guide shall specify the average wholesale prices on the basis of the amount of the drug required for a typical daily therapeutic regimen. "(B) M A I U N G GUIDE.—The Secretary shall provide for mailing, in January of each year (beginning with 1991), a copy of the guide developed and updated under subparagraph (A)— "(i) to each hospital with an agreement in effect under section 1866, "(ii) to each physician (as defined in section 1861(r)(l)) who routinely provides services under this part, and "(iii) to Social Security offices, senior citizen centers, and other appropriate places, "(8) REPORTS ON OUTLAYS AND RECEIPTS; SPECIAL COST CONTROI£.— "(A) COMPILATION OF INFORMATION.—The Secretary shall

compile information on— "(i) manufacturers' prices for coveied outpatient drugs, and on charges of pharmacists for covered outpatient drugs, and "(ii) the use of covered outpatient drugs by individuals entitled to benefits under this part.

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