Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 117.djvu/2438

 PUBLIC LAW 108–173—DEC. 8, 2003

117 STAT. 2419

(B) at least one shall focus on an alternative method to detailed guidelines based on physician documentation of face to face encounter time with a patient; (C) at least one shall be conducted for services furnished in a rural area and at least one for services furnished outside such an area; and (D) at least one shall be conducted in a setting where physicians bill under physicians’ services in teaching settings and at least one shall be conducted in a setting other than a teaching setting. (4) STUDY OF IMPACT.—Each pilot project shall examine the effect of the proposed guidelines on— (A) different types of physician practices, including those with fewer than 10 full-time-equivalent employees (including physicians); and (B) the costs of physician compliance, including education, implementation, auditing, and monitoring. (5) REPORT ON PILOT PROJECTS.—Not later than 6 months after the date of completion of pilot projects carried out under this subsection with respect to a proposed guideline described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot projects. Each such report shall include a finding by the Secretary of whether the objectives described in subsection (c) will be met in the implementation of such proposed guideline. (c) OBJECTIVES FOR EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES.—The objectives for modified evaluation and management documentation guidelines developed by the Secretary shall be to— (1) identify clinically relevant documentation needed to code accurately and assess coding levels accurately; (2) decrease the level of non-clinically pertinent and burdensome documentation time and content in the physician’s medical record; (3) increase accuracy by reviewers; and (4) educate both physicians and reviewers. (d) STUDY OF SIMPLER, ALTERNATIVE SYSTEMS OF DOCUMENTATION FOR PHYSICIAN CLAIMS.— (1) STUDY.—The Secretary shall carry out a study of the matters described in paragraph (2). (2) MATTERS DESCRIBED.—The matters referred to in paragraph (1) are— (A) the development of a simpler, alternative system of requirements for documentation accompanying claims for evaluation and management physician services for which payment is made under title XVIII of the Social Security Act; and (B) consideration of systems other than current coding and documentation requirements for payment for such physician services. (3) CONSULTATION WITH PRACTICING PHYSICIANS.—In designing and carrying out the study under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consult with practicing physicians, including physicians who are part of group practices and including both generalists and specialists. (4) APPLICATION OF HIPAA UNIFORM CODING REQUIREMENTS.—In developing an alternative system under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall consider requirements of administrative

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