Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 117.djvu/2343

 117 STAT. 2324

Deadline.

PUBLIC LAW 108–173—DEC. 8, 2003

(b) REPORT ON APPROPRIATENESS OF A DEMONSTRATION PROJECT TO TEST FEASIBILITY OF USING PPO NETWORKS TO REDUCE COSTS OF ACQUIRING EYEGLASSES FOR MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES AFTER CATARACT SURGERY.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the feasibility of establishing a two-year demonstration project under which the Secretary enters into arrangements with vision care preferred provider organization networks to furnish and pay for conventional eyeglasses subsequent to each cataract surgery with insertion of an intraocular lens on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries. In such report, the Secretary shall include an estimate of potential cost savings to the Medicare program through the use of such networks, taking into consideration quality of service and beneficiary access to services offered by vision care preferred provider organization networks. SEC. 646. MEDICARE HEALTH CARE QUALITY DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS.

Title XVIII (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 1866B the following new section: ‘‘HEALTH 42 USC 1395cc–3.

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CARE QUALITY DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM

‘‘SEC. 1866C. (a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: ‘‘(1) BENEFICIARY.—The term ‘beneficiary’ means an individual who is entitled to benefits under part A and enrolled under part B, including any individual who is enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan under part C. ‘‘(2) HEALTH CARE GROUP.— ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘health care group’ means— ‘‘(i) a group of physicians that is organized at least in part for the purpose of providing physician’s services under this title; ‘‘(ii) an integrated health care delivery system that delivers care through coordinated hospitals, clinics, home health agencies, ambulatory surgery centers, skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation facilities and clinics, and employed, independent, or contracted physicians; or ‘‘(iii) an organization representing regional coalitions of groups or systems described in clause (i) or (ii). ‘‘(B) INCLUSION.—As the Secretary determines appropriate, a health care group may include a hospital or any other individual or entity furnishing items or services for which payment may be made under this title that is affiliated with the health care group under an arrangement structured so that such hospital, individual, or entity participates in a demonstration project under this section. ‘‘(3) PHYSICIAN.—Except as otherwise provided for by the Secretary, the term ‘physician’ means any individual who furnishes services that may be paid for as physicians’ services under this title. ‘‘(b) DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.—The Secretary shall establish a 5-year demonstration program under which the Secretary shall approve demonstration projects that examine health delivery factors

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