Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 111 Part 1.djvu/459

 PUBLIC LAW 105-33—AUG. 5, 1997 111 STAT. 435 factor established for other physicians' services, except as adjusted for changes in work, practice expense, or malpractice relative value units.", (b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 1998. SEC. 4505. IMPLEMENTATION OF RESOURCE-BASED METHODOLOGIES. (a) 1-YEAR DELAY IN IMPLEMENTATION.— Section 1848(c) (42 U.S.C. 1395w-4(c)) is amended— (1) in paragraph (2)(C)(ii), in the matter before subclause (I) and after subclause (II), by striking "1998" and inserting "1999" each place it appears; and (2) in paragraph (3)(C)(ii), by striking "1998" and inserting "1999". (b) PHASED-IN IMPLEMENTATION.— (1) IN GENERAL.— Section 1848(c)(2)(C)(ii) (42 U.S.C. 1395w-4(c)(2)(C)(ii)) is further amended— (A) by striking the comma at the end of clause (ii) and inserting a period and the following: "For 1999, such number of units shall be determined based 75 percent on such product and based 25 percent on the relative practice expense resources involved in furnishing the service. For 2000, such number of units shall be determined based 50 percent on such product and based 50 percent on such relative practice expense resources. For 2001, such number of units shall be determined based 25 percent on such product and based 75 percent on such relative practice expense resources. For a subsequent year, such number of units shall be determined based entirely on such relative practice expense resources.". (2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.— Section 1848(c)(3)(C)(ii) (42 U.S.C. 1395w-4(c)(3)(C)(ii)), as amended by subsection (a)(2), is amended by striking "1999" and inserting "2002". (c) REVIEW BY COMPTROLLER GENERAL. —The Comptroller General of the United States shall review and evaluate the proposed rule on resource-based methodology for practice expenses issued by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The Comptroller General shall, within 6 months of the date of the enactment of this Act, report to the Committees on Commerce and Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate the results of its evaluation, including an analysis of— (1) the adequacy of the data used in preparing the rule, (2) categories of allowable costs, (3) methods for allocating direct and indirect expenses, (4) the potential impact of the rule on beneficiary access to services, and (5) any other matters related to the appropriateness of resource-based methodology for practice expenses. The Comptroller General shall consult with representatives of physicians' organizations with respect to matters of both data and methodology. (d) REQUIREMENTS FOR DEVELOPING NEW RESOURCE-BASED PRACTICE EXPENSE RELATIVE VALUE UNITS. — (1) DEVELOPMENT.—For purposes of section 1848(c)(2)(C)(ii) of the Social Security Act, the Secretary of Health and Human 42 USC 1395w^ note. 42 USC 1395W-4 note.

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