Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 117.djvu/2404

 PUBLIC LAW 108–173—DEC. 8, 2003

117 STAT. 2385

(i) by striking ‘‘Each carrier having an agreement with the Secretary under subsection (a)’’ and inserting ‘‘The Secretary’’; and (ii) by striking ‘‘Each such carrier’’ and inserting ‘‘The Secretary’’; (B) in paragraph (3)(A)— (i) by striking ‘‘a carrier having an agreement with the Secretary under subsection (a)’’ and inserting ‘‘medicare administrative contractor having a contract under section 1874A that provides for making payments under this part’’; and (ii) by striking ‘‘such carrier’’ and inserting ‘‘such contractor’’; (C) in paragraph (3)(B)— (i) by striking ‘‘a carrier’’ and inserting ‘‘a medicare administrative contractor’’ each place it appears; and (ii) by striking ‘‘the carrier’’ and inserting ‘‘the contractor’’ each place it appears; and (D) in paragraphs (5)(A) and (5)(B)(iii), by striking ‘‘carriers’’ and inserting ‘‘medicare administrative contractors’’ each place it appears. (8) Subsection (l) is amended— (A) in paragraph (1)(A)(iii), by striking ‘‘carrier’’ and inserting ‘‘medicare administrative contractor’’; and (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘carrier’’ and inserting ‘‘medicare administrative contractor’’. (9) Subsection (p)(3)(A) is amended by striking ‘‘carrier’’ and inserting ‘‘medicare administrative contractor’’. (10) Subsection (q)(1)(A) is amended by striking ‘‘carrier’’. (d) EFFECTIVE DATE; TRANSITION RULE.— (1) EFFECTIVE DATE.— (A) IN GENERAL.—Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the amendments made by this section shall take effect on October 1, 2005, and the Secretary is authorized to take such steps before such date as may be necessary to implement such amendments on a timely basis. (B) CONSTRUCTION FOR CURRENT CONTRACTS.—Such amendments shall not apply to contracts in effect before the date specified under subparagraph (A) that continue to retain the terms and conditions in effect on such date (except as otherwise provided under this Act, other than under this section) until such date as the contract is let out for competitive bidding under such amendments. (C) DEADLINE FOR COMPETITIVE BIDDING.—The Secretary shall provide for the letting by competitive bidding of all contracts for functions of medicare administrative contractors for annual contract periods that begin on or after October 1, 2011. (2) GENERAL TRANSITION RULES.— (A) AUTHORITY TO CONTINUE TO ENTER INTO NEW

42 USC 1395kk–1 note.

AGREEMENTS AND CONTRACTS AND WAIVER OF PROVIDER NOMINATION PROVISIONS DURING TRANSITION.—Prior to

October 1, 2005, the Secretary may, consistent with subparagraph (B), continue to enter into agreements under section 1816 and contracts under section 1842 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395h, 1395u). The Secretary may enter into new agreements under section 1816 prior to

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