The purpose of this part is to establish the contracting process which the Secretary must follow pursuant to the requirements of section 1395y(g) of this title, including the definition of the quality improvement organizations with which the Secretary shall contract, the functions such quality improvement organizations are to perform, the confidentiality of medical records, and related administrative matters to facilitate the carrying out of the purposes of this part.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1151, as added Pub. L. 97–248, title I, §143, Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 382; amended Pub. L. 112–40, title II, §261(a)(2)(C), Oct. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 423.)
A prior section 1320c, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1151, as added Oct. 30, 1972, Pub. L. 92–603, title II, §249F(b), 86 Stat. 1429; amended Aug. 13, 1981, Pub. L. 97–35, title XXI, §2113(a), 95 Stat. 794, set out the Congressional declaration of purpose of former part B, in the general revision of this part by Pub. L. 97–248.
2011—Pub. L. 112–40 substituted “the quality improvement organizations” for “the utilization and quality control peer review organizations” and “such quality improvement organizations” for “such peer review organizations”.
Pub. L. 112–40, title II, §261(e), Oct. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 426, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 1320c–1 to 1320c–5, 1320c–7, 1320c–9, 1320c–10, 1395g, 1395k, 1395u, 1395x, 1395y, 1395cc, 1395dd, 1395ff, 1395mm, 1395pp, and 1395ww of this title] shall apply to contracts entered into or renewed on or after January 1, 2012.”
Section 149 of Pub. L. 97–248, as amended by Pub. L. 98–369, div. B, title III, §2354(c)(3)(C), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1102, provided that: “The amendments made by this subtitle [subtitle C (§§141–150) of title I of Pub. L. 97–248, enacting this part, amending sections 1395b–1, 1395g, 1395k, 1395l, 1395x, 1395y, 1395cc, 1395pp, 1396a, and 1396b of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 1305 and 1320c of this title] shall, subject to section 150 [section 150 of Pub. L. 97–248, set out as a note below], be effective with respect to contracts entered into or renewed on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 3, 1982].”
Pub. L. 108–173, title I, §109(d), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2173, provided that:
“(1)
“(A) An overview of the program under such part.
“(B) The duties of organizations with contracts with the Secretary under such part.
“(C) The extent to which quality improvement organizations improve the quality of care for medicare beneficiaries.
“(D) The extent to which other entities could perform such quality improvement functions as well as, or better than, quality improvement organizations.
“(E) The effectiveness of reviews and other actions conducted by such organizations in carrying out those duties.
“(F) The source and amount of funding for such organizations.
“(G) The conduct of oversight of such organizations.
“(2)
“(3)
Pub. L. 101–508, title IV, §4205(c), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–113, provided that:
“(1)
“(A) the development of common utilization and medical review criteria;
“(B) criteria for the targetting of reviews by peer review organizations and carriers; and
“(C) improved methods for exchange of information among peer review organizations and carriers.
“(2)
Pub. L. 97–448, title III, §309(d), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2410, provided that: “In order to avoid unfairly discriminating against professional standards review organizations whose performance was evaluated during the first and second calendar quarters of 1982, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall disregard the results of such evaluations and shall carry out such new evaluations of such organizations as may be necessary to select utilization and quality control peer review organizations in accordance with subtitle C of title I of the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 [sections 141–150 of Pub. L. 97–248] and part B of title XI of the Social Security Act [this part] as amended by such subtitle.”
Section 150 of Pub. L. 97–248, as amended by Pub. L. 97–448, title III, §309(a)(9), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2408, provided that:
“(a) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall not terminate or fail to renew any agreement in effect with a professional standards review organization under part B of title XI of the Social Security Act [this part] on the earlier of the date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 3, 1982] or September 30, 1982 until such time as he enters into a contract with a utilization and quality control peer review organization under such part, as amended by this subtitle [subtitle C (§§141–150) of title I of Pub. L. 97–248], for the area served by such professional standards review organization. In complying with this subsection, the Secretary may renew any such agreement with a professional standards review organization for a period of less than 12 months.
“(b) The provisions of part B of title XI of the Social Security Act [this part] as in effect prior to the amendments made by this subtitle [subtitle C (§§141–150) of title I of Pub. L. 97–248] shall remain in effect with respect to agreements with professional standards review organizations in effect on the earlier of the date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 3, 1982] or September 30, 1982, until such time as such agreement is terminated or is not renewed, in accordance with subsection (a). Any matters awaiting a determination by a Statewide Professional Standards Review Council on the date of the enactment of this Act shall be transferred to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for a determination unless such determination is made by such Council within 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. No payments shall be made under part B of title XI of the Social Security Act to Statewide Professional Standards Review Councils for services performed under section 1162 of such Act [section 1320c–11 of this title] after the end of such 30-day period.”
The term “quality improvement organization” means an entity which—
(1) is able, as determined by the Secretary, to perform its functions under this part in a manner consistent with the efficient and effective administration of this part and subchapter XVIII;
(2) has at least one individual who is a representative of health care providers on its governing body; and
(3) has at least one individual who is a representative of consumers on its governing body.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1152, as added Pub. L. 97–248, title I, §143, Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 382; amended Pub. L. 99–509, title IX, §9353(b)(1), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 2046; Pub. L. 112–40, title II, §261(a)(1), (2)(A), (C), Oct. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 423.)
A prior section 1320c–1, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1152, as added Oct. 30, 1972, Pub. L. 92–603, title II, §249F(b), 86 Stat. 1430; amended Dec. 31, 1975, Pub. L. 94–182, title I, §§105, 108(a), 89 Stat. 1052, 1053; Oct. 25, 1977, Pub. L. 95–142, §5(a), (d)(2)(A), (B), (o)(1), 91 Stat. 1183, 1185, 1191; Dec. 5, 1980, Pub. L. 96–499, title IX, §921, 94 Stat. 2627; Aug. 13, 1981, Pub. L. 97–35, title XXI, §§2112(a)(2)(A), (B), 2113(b), (c), 95 Stat. 793, 794, related to the designation of Professional Standards Review Organizations, prior to the general revision of this part by Pub. L. 97–248.
2011—Pub. L. 112–40, §261(a)(2)(A), (C), substituted “quality improvement” for “utilization and quality control peer review” in section catchline and introductory provisions.
Pars. (1), (2). Pub. L. 112–40, §261(a)(1), added pars. (1) and (2) and struck out former pars. (1) and (2) which read as follows:
“(1)(A) is composed of a substantial number of the licensed doctors of medicine and osteopathy engaged in the practice of medicine or surgery in the area and who are representative of the practicing physicians in the area, designated by the Secretary under section 1320c–2 of this title, with respect to which the entity shall perform services under this part, or (B) has available to it, by arrangement or otherwise, the services of a sufficient number of licensed doctors of medicine or osteopathy engaged in the practice of medicine or surgery in such area to assure that adequate peer review of the services provided by the various medical specialties and subspecialties can be assured;
“(2) is able, in the judgment of the Secretary, to perform review functions required under section 1320c–3 of this title in a manner consistent with the efficient and effective administration of this part and to perform reviews of the pattern of quality of care in an area of medical practice where actual performance is measured against objective criteria which define acceptable and adequate practice; and”.
1986—Par. (3). Pub. L. 99–509 added par. (3).
Amendment by Pub. L. 112–40 applicable to contracts entered into or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2012, see section 261(e) of Pub. L. 112–40, set out as a note under section 1320c of this title.
Section 9353(b)(2) of Pub. L. 99–509 provided that: “The amendment made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall apply to contracts entered into or renewed on or after January 1, 1987.”
The Secretary shall establish throughout the United States such local, State, regional, national, or other geographic areas as the Secretary determines appropriate with respect to which contracts under this part will be made.
(1) The Secretary shall enter into contracts with one or more quality improvement organizations for each area established under subsection (a) of this section if a qualified organization is available in such area and such organization and the Secretary have negotiated a proposed contract which the Secretary determines will be carried out by such organization in a manner consistent with the efficient and effective administration of this part. In entering into contracts with such qualified organizations, the Secretary shall, to the extent appropriate, seek to ensure that each of the functions described in section 1320c–3(a) of this title are carried out within an area established under subsection (a). If more than one such qualified organization will be operating in an area, the Secretary shall ensure that there is no duplication of the functions carried out by such organizations within the area.
(2)(A) Prior to November 15, 1984, the Secretary shall not enter into a contract under this part with any entity which is, or is affiliated with (through management, ownership, or common control), an entity (other than a self-insured employer) which directly or indirectly makes payments to any practitioner or provider whose health care services are reviewed by such entity or would be reviewed by such entity if it entered into a contract with the Secretary under this part. For purposes of this paragraph, an entity shall not be considered to be affiliated with another entity which makes payments (directly or indirectly) to any practitioner or provider, by reason of management, ownership, or common control, if the management, ownership, or common control consists only of members of the governing board being affiliated (through management, ownership, or common control) with a health maintenance organization or competitive medical plan which is an “eligible organization” as defined in section 1395mm(b) of this title.
(B) If, after November 14, 1984, the Secretary determines that there is no other entity available for an area with which the Secretary can enter into a contract under this part or the Secretary determines that there is a more qualified entity to perform one or more of the functions in section 1320c–3(a) of this title, the Secretary may then enter into a contract under this part with an entity described in subparagraph (A) for such area if such entity otherwise meets the requirements of this part.
(3)(A) The Secretary shall not enter into a contract under this part with any entity which is, or is affiliated with (through management, ownership, or common control), a health care facility within the area served by such entity or which would be served by such entity if it entered into a contract with the Secretary under this part.
(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), an entity shall not be considered to be affiliated with a health care facility by reason of management, ownership, or common control if the management, ownership, or common control consists only of not more than 20 percent of the members of the governing board of the entity being affiliated (through management, ownership, or common control) with one or more of such facilities.
(4) The Secretary may consider a variety of factors in selecting the contractors that the Secretary determines would provide for the most efficient and effective administration of this part, such as geographic location, size, and prior experience in health care quality improvement. Quality improvement organizations operating as of January 1, 2012, shall be allowed to compete for new contracts (as determined appropriate by the Secretary) along with other qualified organizations and are eligible for renewal of contracts for terms five years thereafter (as determined appropriate by the Secretary).
Each contract with an organization under this section shall provide that—
(1) the organization shall perform a function or functions under section 1320c–3 of this title directly or may subcontract for the performance of all or some of such function or functions (and for purposes of paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (b) of this section, a subcontract under this paragraph shall not constitute an affiliation with the subcontractor);
(2) the Secretary shall have the right to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of the organization in carrying out the functions specified in the contract;
(3) the contract shall be for an initial term of five years and shall be renewable for terms of five years thereafter;
(4) the Secretary shall include in the contract negotiated objectives against which the organization's performance will be judged, and negotiated specifications for use of regional norms, or modifications thereof based on national norms, for performing review functions under the contract; and
(5) reimbursement shall be made to the organization on a monthly basis, with payments for any month being made consistent with the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
In evaluating the performance of quality improvement organizations under contracts under this part, the Secretary shall place emphasis on the performance of such organizations in educating providers and practitioners (particularly those in rural areas) concerning the review process and criteria being applied by the organization.
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), contracting authority of the Secretary under this section may be carried out without regard to any provision of law relating to the making, performance, amendment, or modification of contracts of the United States as the Secretary may determine to be inconsistent with the purposes of this part. The Secretary may use different contracting methods with respect to different geographical areas.
(2) If a quality improvement organization with a contract under this section is required to carry out a review function in addition to any function required to be carried out at the time the Secretary entered into or renewed the contract with the organization, the Secretary shall, before requiring such organization to carry out such additional function, negotiate the necessary contractual modifications, including modifications that provide for an appropriate adjustment (in light of the cost of such additional function) to the amount of reimbursement made to the organization.
Any determination by the Secretary to terminate or not to renew a contract under this section shall not be subject to judicial review.
The Secretary shall provide that fiscal intermediaries furnish to quality improvement organizations, each month on a timely basis, data necessary to initiate the review process under section 1320c–3(a) of this title on a timely basis. If the Secretary determines that a fiscal intermediary is unable to furnish such data on a timely basis, the Secretary shall require the hospital to do so.
(1) The Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register any new policy or procedure adopted by the Secretary that affects substantially the performance of contract obligations under this section not less than 30 days before the date on which such policy or procedure is to take effect. This paragraph shall not apply to the extent it is inconsistent with a statutory deadline.
(2) The Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register the general criteria and standards used for evaluating the efficient and effective performance of contract obligations under this section and shall provide opportunity for public comment with respect to such criteria and standards.
(3) The Secretary shall regularly furnish each quality improvement organization with a contract under this section with a report that documents the performance of the organization in relation to the performance of other such organizations.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1153, as added Pub. L. 97–248, title I, §143, Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 382; amended Pub. L. 97–448, title III, §309(b)(2), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2408; Pub. L. 98–21, title VI, §602(a), Apr. 20, 1983, 97 Stat. 163; Pub. L. 98–369, div. B, title III, §§2334(a), (b), 2347(c), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1090, 1097; Pub. L. 99–272, title IX, §§9402(b), 9404(a), 9406(a), Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 200, 201; Pub. L. 99–509, title IX, §9352(a)(1), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 2044; Pub. L. 100–203, title IV, §§4091(a)(2)(A), (b)(1), (2), 4092(a), 4094(d)(1), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–134, 1330–135, 1330–137; Pub. L. 112–40, title II, §261(a)(2)(A), (C), (b), (c)(1), Oct. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 423, 425.)
A prior section 1320c–2, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1153, as added Oct. 30, 1972, Pub. L. 92–603, title II, §249F(b), 86 Stat. 1432, related to review pending designation of a Professional Standards Review Organization in a given area, prior to the general revision of this part by Pub. L. 97–248.
2011—Pub. L. 112–40, §261(a)(2)(A), substituted “quality improvement” for “utilization and quality control peer review” in section catchline.
Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 112–40, §261(b)(1)(A), added subsec. (a) and struck out former subsec. (a) which related to establishment and consolidation of geographic areas.
Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 112–40, §261(c)(1)(A), after first sentence, inserted “In entering into contracts with such qualified organizations, the Secretary shall, to the extent appropriate, seek to ensure that each of the functions described in section 1320c–3(a) of this title are carried out within an area established under subsection (a).”
Pub. L. 112–40, §261(b)(1)(B), substituted “contracts with one or more quality improvement organizations” for “a contract with a quality improvement organization” and “will be operating in an area, the Secretary shall ensure that there is no duplication of the functions carried out by such organizations within the area” for “meets the requirements of the preceding sentence, priority shall be given to any such organization which is described in section 1320c–1(1)(A) of this title”.
Pub. L. 112–40, §261(a)(2)(C), substituted “quality improvement organization” for “utilization and quality control peer review organization”.
Subsec. (b)(2)(B). Pub. L. 112–40, §261(b)(1)(C), which directed insertion of “or the Secretary determines that there is a more qualified entity to perform one or more of the functions in section 1320c–3(a) of this title” after “under this part”, was executed by making the insertion after “under this part” the first place appearing, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
Subsec. (b)(3)(A). Pub. L. 112–40, §261(b)(1)(D)(i), struck out “, or association of such facilities,” after “facility”.
Subsec. (b)(3)(B). Pub. L. 112–40, §261(b)(1)(D)(ii)(II), struck out “or associations” after “one or more of such facilities”.
Pub. L. 112–40, §261(b)(1)(D)(ii)(I), which directed striking out “or association of such facilities”, was executed by striking out “or association of facilities” after “facility”, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 112–40, §261(b)(3)(A), added par. (4).
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 112–40, §261(a)(2)(C), substituted “quality improvement” for “utilization and quality control peer review” in concluding provisions.
Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 112–40, §261(c)(1)(B), substituted “a function or functions under section 1320c–3 of this title directly or may subcontract for the performance of all or some of such function or functions” for “the functions set forth in section 1320c–3(a) of this title, or may subcontract for the performance of all or some of such functions”.
Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 112–40, §261(b)(2), substituted “five years and shall be renewable for terms of five years” for “three years and shall be renewable on a triennial basis”.
Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 112–40, §261(b)(3)(B), redesignated par. (7) as (4) and struck out former par. (4) which read as follows: “if the Secretary intends not to renew a contract, he shall notify the organization of his decision at least 90 days prior to the expiration of the contract term, and shall provide the organization an opportunity to present data, interpretations of data, and other information pertinent to its performance under the contract, which shall be reviewed in a timely manner by the Secretary;”.
Subsec. (c)(5). Pub. L. 112–40, §261(b)(4), amended par. (5) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (5) read as follows: “reimbursement shall be made to the organization on a monthly basis, with payments for any month being made not later than 15 days after the close of such month.”
Pub. L. 112–40, §261(b)(3)(B), redesignated par. (8) as (5) and struck out former par. (5) which read as follows: “the organization may terminate the contract upon 90 days notice to the Secretary;”.
Subsec. (c)(6) to (8). Pub. L. 112–40, §261(b)(3)(B), redesignated pars. (7) and (8) as (4) and (5), respectively, and struck out former par. (6) which read as follows: “the Secretary may terminate the contract prior to the expiration of the contract term upon 90 days notice to the organization if the Secretary determines that—
“(A) the organization does not substantially meet the requirements of section 1320c–1 of this title; or
“(B) the organization has failed substantially to carry out the contract or is carrying out the contract in a manner inconsistent with the efficient and effective administration of this part, but only after such organization has had an opportunity to submit data and have such data reviewed by the panel established under subsection (d) of this section;”.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 112–40, §261(b)(3)(C), struck out subsec. (d) which related to panel review prior to termination of contract.
Subsecs. (e)(2), (g), (h)(3). Pub. L. 112–40, §261(a)(2)(C), substituted “quality improvement” for “peer review”.
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 112–40, §261(b)(1)(E), struck out subsec. (i) which related to preference in contracting with in-State organizations.
1987—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100–203, §4094(d)(1), inserted after and below par. (8) the following: “In evaluating the performance of utilization and quality control peer review organizations under contracts under this part, the Secretary shall place emphasis on the performance of such organizations in educating providers and practitioners (particularly those in rural areas) concerning the review process and criteria being applied by the organization.”
Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 100–203, §4091(a)(2)(A), substituted “three” for “two” and “triennial” for “biennial”.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 100–203, §4091(b)(2), designated existing provisions as par. (1), substituted “Except as provided in paragraph (2), contracting” for “Contracting”, and added par. (2).
Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 100–203, §4091(b)(1), added subsec. (h).
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 100–203, §4092(a), added subsec. (i).
1986—Subsec. (b)(2)(A). Pub. L. 99–272, §9404(a), substituted “consists only of members of the governing board” for “consists only of one individual member of the governing board”.
Subsec. (c)(8). Pub. L. 99–272, §9402(b), amended par. (8) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (8) read as follows: “reimbursement shall be made to the organization in accordance with the terms of the contract.”
Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 99–272, §9406(a), added par. (4).
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 99–509 added subsec. (g).
1984—Subsec. (b)(2)(A). Pub. L. 98–369, §2347(c)(1), substituted “Prior to November 15, 1984” for “During the first twelve months in which the Secretary is entering into contracts under this section”.
Pub. L. 98–369, §2334(b), inserted “(other than a self-insured employer)” and provision that for purposes of this paragraph an entity shall not be considered to be affiliated with another entity which makes payments (directly or indirectly) to any practitioner or provider, by reason of management, ownership, or common control, if the management, ownership, or common control consists only of one individual member of the governing board being affiliated (through management, ownership, or common control) with a health maintenance organization or competitive medical plan which is an “eligible organization” as defined in section 1395mm(b) of this title.
Subsec. (b)(2)(B). Pub. L. 98–369, §2347(c)(2), substituted “after November 14, 1984” for “after the expiration of the twelve-month period referred to in subparagraph (A)”.
Subsec. (b)(2)(C). Pub. L. 98–369, §2347(c)(3), struck out subpar. (C) which provided that the twelve-month period formerly referred to in subpar. (A) would be deemed to have begun not later than October 1983.
Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 98–369, §2334(a), designated existing provisions as subpar. (A) and added subpar. (B).
1983—Subsec. (b)(2)(C). Pub. L. 98–21 added subpar. (C).
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 97–448 substituted reference to “subsection (c)(6)(B)” for “subsection (c)(5)(B)” and “subsection (c)(5)(C)” in pars. (1) and (2), respectively.
Amendment by Pub. L. 112–40 applicable to contracts entered into or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2012, see section 261(e) of Pub. L. 112–40, set out as a note under section 1320c of this title.
Section 4091(a)(2)(B) of Pub. L. 100–203 provided that: “The amendment made by subparagraph (A) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to contracts entered into or renewed on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 22, 1987].”
Section 4091(b)(3) of Pub. L. 100–203 provided that: “The amendment made by paragraphs (1) and (2) [amending this section] shall become effective on the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 22, 1987].”
Section 4092(b) of Pub. L. 100–203 provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to contracts scheduled to be renewed on or after the first day of the eighth month to begin after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 22, 1987].”
Section 4094(d)(2) of Pub. L. 100–203 provided that: “The amendment made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall apply to contracts under part B of title XI of the Social Security Act [this part] as of January 1, 1988.”
Section 9352(c)(1) of Pub. L. 99–509 provided that: “The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall implement the amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section and section 1395h of this title] not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 21, 1986].”
Section 9402(c)(2) of Pub. L. 99–272 provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (b) [amending this section] shall apply to contracts entered into or renewed on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Apr. 7, 1986].”
Section 9404(b) of Pub. L. 99–272 provided that: “The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall become effective on the date of the enactment of this Act [Apr. 7, 1986].”
Section 9406(b) of Pub. L. 99–272 provided that: “The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall become effective on the date of the enactment of this Act [Apr. 7, 1986].”
Section 2334(c) of Pub. L. 98–369 provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall become effective on the date of the enactment of this Act [July 18, 1984].”
Section 2347(d) of Pub. L. 98–369 provided that: “The provisions of, and amendments made by, this section [amending this section and section 1395cc of this title and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 1395cc of this title] shall become effective on the date of the enactment of this Act [July 18, 1984].”
Amendment by Pub. L. 98–21 applicable to items and services furnished by or under arrangement with a hospital beginning with its first cost reporting period that begins on or after Oct. 1, 1983, any change in a hospital's cost reporting period made after November 1982 to be recognized for such purposes only if the Secretary finds good cause therefor, see section 604(a)(1) of Pub. L. 98–21, set out as a note under section 1395ww of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 97–448 effective as if originally included as a part of this section as this section was added by the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982, Pub. L. 97–248, see section 309(c)(2) of Pub. L. 97–448, set out as a note under section 426–1 of this title.
Pub. L. 100–203, title IV, §4091(a)(1), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–134, as amended by Pub. L. 100–360, title IV, §411(j)(1), July 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 790, provided that:
“(A)
“(B)
Subject to subsection (b), any quality improvement organization entering into a contract with the Secretary under this part must perform one or more of the following functions:
(1) The organization shall review some or all of the professional activities in the area, subject to the terms of the contract and subject to the requirements of subsection (d) of this section, of physicians and other health care practitioners and institutional and noninstitutional providers of health care services in the provision of health care services and items for which payment may be made (in whole or in part) under subchapter XVIII of this chapter (including where payment is made for such services to eligible organizations pursuant to contracts under section 1395mm of this title, to Medicare Advantage organizations pursuant to contracts under part C,1 and to prescription drug sponsors pursuant to contracts under part D 1 ) for the purpose of determining whether—
(A) such services and items are or were reasonable and medically necessary and whether such services and items are not allowable under subsection (a)(1) or (a)(9) of section 1395y of this title;
(B) the quality of such services meets professionally recognized standards of health care; and
(C) in case such services and items are proposed to be provided in a hospital or other health care facility on an inpatient basis, such services and items could, consistent with the provision of appropriate medical care, be effectively provided more economically on an outpatient basis or in an inpatient health care facility of a different type.
If the organization performs such reviews with respect to a type of health care practitioner other than medical doctors, the organization shall establish procedures for the involvement of health care practitioners of that type in such reviews.
(2) The organization shall determine, on the basis of the review carried out under subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of paragraph (1), whether payment shall be made for services under subchapter XVIII of this chapter. Such determination shall constitute the conclusive determination on those issues for purposes of payment under subchapter XVIII of this chapter, except that payment may be made if—
(A) such payment is allowed by reason of section 1395pp of this title;
(B) in the case of inpatient hospital services or extended care services, the quality improvement organization determines that additional time is required in order to arrange for postdischarge care, but payment may be continued under this subparagraph for not more than two days, but only in the case where the provider of such services did not know and could not reasonably have been expected to know (as determined under section 1395pp of this title) that payment would not otherwise be made for such services under subchapter XVIII of this chapter prior to notification by the organization under paragraph (3);
(C) such determination is changed as the result of any hearing or review of the determination under section 1320c–4 of this title; or
(D) such payment is authorized under section 1395x(v)(1)(G) of this title.
The organization shall identify cases for which payment should not be made by reason of paragraph (1)(B) only through the use of criteria developed pursuant to guidelines established by the Secretary.
(3)(A) Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (D), whenever the organization makes a determination that any health care services or items furnished or to be furnished to a patient by any practitioner or provider are disapproved, the organization shall promptly notify such patient and the agency or organization responsible for the payment of claims under subchapter XVIII of this chapter of such determination.
(B) The notification under subparagraph (A) with respect to services or items disapproved by reason of subparagraph (A) or (C) of paragraph (1) shall not occur until 20 days after the date that the organization has—
(i) made a preliminary notification to such practitioner or provider of such proposed determination, and
(ii) provided such practitioner or provider an opportunity for discussion and review of the proposed determination.
(C) The discussion and review conducted under subparagraph (B)(ii) shall not affect the rights of a practitioner or provider to a formal reconsideration of a determination under this part (as provided under section 1320c–4 of this title).
(D) The notification under subparagraph (A) with respect to services or items disapproved by reason of paragraph (1)(B) shall not occur until after—
(i) the organization has notified the practitioner or provider involved of the determination and of the practitioner's or provider's right to a formal reconsideration of the determination under section 1320c–4 of this title, and
(ii) if the provider or practitioner requests such a reconsideration, the organization has made such a reconsideration.
If a provider or practitioner is provided a reconsideration, such reconsideration shall be in lieu of any subsequent reconsideration to which the provider or practitioner may be otherwise entitled under section 1320c–4 of this title, but shall not affect the right of a beneficiary from seeking reconsideration under such section of the organization's determination (after any reconsideration requested by the provider or physician under clause (ii)).
(E)(i) In the case of services and items provided by a physician that were disapproved by reason of paragraph (1)(B), the notice to the patient shall state the following: “In the judgment of the quality improvement organization, the medical care received was not acceptable under the medicare program. The reasons for the denial have been discussed with your physician.”
(ii) In the case of services or items provided by an entity or practitioner other than a physician, the Secretary may substitute the entity or practitioner which provided the services or items for the term “physician” in the notice described in clause (i).
(4)(A) The organization shall, after consultation with the Secretary, determine the types and kinds of cases (whether by type of health care or diagnosis involved, or whether in terms of other relevant criteria relating to the provision of health care services) with respect to which such organization will, in order to most effectively carry out the purposes of this part, exercise review authority under the contract. The organization shall notify the Secretary periodically with respect to such determinations. Each quality improvement organization shall provide that a reasonable proportion of its activities are involved with reviewing, under paragraph (1)(B), the quality of services and that a reasonable allocation of such activities is made among the different cases and settings (including post-acute-care settings, ambulatory settings, and health maintenance organizations). In establishing such allocation, the organization shall consider (i) whether there is reason to believe that there is a particular need for reviews of particular cases or settings because of previous problems regarding quality of care, (ii) the cost of such reviews and the likely yield of such reviews in terms of number and seriousness of quality of care problems likely to be discovered as a result of such reviews, and (iii) the availability and adequacy of alternative quality review and assurance mechanisms.
(B) The contract of each organization shall provide for the review of services (including both inpatient and outpatient services) provided by eligible organizations pursuant to a risk-sharing contract under section 1395mm of this title (or that is subject to review under section 1395ss(t)(3) of this title) for the purpose of determining whether the quality of such services meets professionally recognized standards of health care, including whether appropriate health care services have not been provided or have been provided in inappropriate settings and whether individuals enrolled with an eligible organization have adequate access to health care services provided by or through such organization (as determined, in part, by a survey of individuals enrolled with the organization who have not yet used the organization to receive such services). The contract of each organization shall also provide that with respect to health care provided by a health maintenance organization or competitive medical plan under section 1395mm of this title, the organization shall maintain a beneficiary outreach program designed to apprise individuals receiving care under such section of the role of the peer review system, of the rights of the individual under such system, and of the method and purposes for contacting the organization. The previous two sentences shall not apply with respect to a contract year if another entity has been awarded a contract under subparagraph (C). Under the contract the level of effort expended by the organization on reviews under this subparagraph shall be equivalent, on a per enrollee basis, to the level of effort expended by the organization on utilization and quality reviews performed with respect to individuals not enrolled with an eligible organization.
(5) The organization shall consult with nurses and other professional health care practitioners (other than physicians described in section 1395x(r)(1) of this title) and with representatives of institutional and noninstitutional providers of health care services, with respect to the organization's responsibility for the review under paragraph (1) of the professional activities of such practitioners and providers.
(6)(A) The organization shall, consistent with the provisions of its contract under this part, apply professionally developed norms of care, diagnosis, and treatment based upon typical patterns of practice within the geographic area served by the organization as principal points of evaluation and review, taking into consideration national norms where appropriate. Such norms with respect to treatment for particular illnesses or health conditions shall include—
(i) the types and extent of the health care services which, taking into account differing, but acceptable, modes of treatment and methods of organizing and delivering care, are considered within the range of appropriate diagnosis and treatment of such illness or health condition, consistent with professionally recognized and accepted patterns of care; and
(ii) the type of health care facility which is considered, consistent with such standards, to be the type in which health care services which are medically appropriate for such illness or condition can most economically be provided.
As a component of the norms described in clause (i) or (ii), the organization shall take into account the special problems associated with delivering care in remote rural areas, the availability of service alternatives to inpatient hospitalization, and other appropriate factors (such as the distance from a patient's residence to the site of care, family support, availability of proximate alternative sites of care, and the patient's ability to carry out necessary or prescribed self-care regimens) that could adversely affect the safety or effectiveness of treatment provided on an outpatient basis.
(B) The organization shall—
(i) offer to provide, several times each year, for a physician representing the organization to meet (at a hospital or at a regional meeting) with medical and administrative staff of each hospital (the services of which are reviewed by the organization) respecting the organization's review of the hospital's services for which payment may be made under subchapter XVIII of this chapter, and
(ii) publish (not less often than annually) and distribute to providers and practitioners whose services are subject to review a report that describes the organization's findings with respect to the types of cases in which the organization has frequently determined that (I) inappropriate or unnecessary care has been provided, (II) services were rendered in an inappropriate setting, or (III) services did not meet professionally recognized standards of health care.
(7) The organization, to the extent necessary and appropriate to the performance of the contract, shall—
(A)(i) make arrangements to utilize the services of persons who are practitioners of, or specialists in, the various areas of medicine (including dentistry, optometry, and podiatry), or other types of health care, which persons shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be individuals engaged in the practice of their profession within the area served by such organization; and
(ii) in the case of psychiatric and physical rehabilitation services, make arrangements to ensure that (to the extent possible) initial review of such services be made by a physician who is trained in psychiatry or physical rehabilitation (as appropriate).2
(B) undertake such professional inquiries either before or after, or both before and after, the provision of services with respect to which such organization has a responsibility for review which in the judgment of such organization will facilitate its activities;
(C) examine the pertinent records of any practitioner or provider of health care services providing services with respect to which such organization has a responsibility for review under paragraph (1); and
(D) inspect the facilities in which care is rendered or services are provided (which are located in such area) of any practitioner or provider of health care services providing services with respect to which such organization has a responsibility for review under paragraph (1).
(8) The organization shall perform such duties and functions and assume such responsibilities and comply with such other requirements as may be required by this part or under regulations of the Secretary promulgated to carry out the provisions of this part or as may be required to carry out section 1395y(a)(15) of this title.
(9)(A) The organization shall collect such information relevant to its functions, and keep and maintain such records, in such form as the Secretary may require to carry out the purposes of this part, and shall permit access to and use of any such information and records as the Secretary may require for such purposes, subject to the provisions of section 1320c–9 of this title.
(B) If the organization finds, after reasonable notice to and opportunity for discussion with the physician or practitioner concerned, that the physician or practitioner has furnished services in violation of section 1320c–5(a) of this title and the organization determines that the physician or practitioner should enter into a corrective action plan under section 1320c–5(b)(1) of this title, the organization shall notify the State board or boards responsible for the licensing or disciplining of the physician or practitioner of its finding and of any action taken as a result of the finding.
(10) The organization shall coordinate activities, including information exchanges, which are consistent with economical and efficient operation of programs among appropriate public and private agencies or organizations including—
(A) agencies under contract pursuant to sections 1395h and 1395u of this title;
(B) other quality improvement organizations having contracts under this part; and
(C) other public or private review organizations as may be appropriate.
(11) The organization shall make available its facilities and resources for contracting with private and public entities paying for health care in its area for review, as feasible and appropriate, of services reimbursed by such entities.
(12) As part of the organization's review responsibility under paragraph (1), the organization shall review all ambulatory surgical procedures specified pursuant to section 1395l(i)(1)(A) of this title which are performed in the area, or, at the discretion of the Secretary, a sample of such procedures.
(13) Notwithstanding paragraph (4), the organization shall perform the review described in paragraph (1) with respect to early readmission cases to determine if the previous inpatient hospital services and the post-hospital services met professionally recognized standards of health care. Such reviews may be performed on a sample basis if the organization and the Secretary determine it to be appropriate. In this paragraph, an “early readmission case” is a case in which an individual, after discharge from a hospital, is readmitted to a hospital less than 31 days after the date of the most recent previous discharge.
(14) The organization shall conduct an appropriate review of all written complaints about the quality of services (for which payment may otherwise be made under subchapter XVIII of this chapter) not meeting professionally recognized standards of health care, if the complaint is filed with the organization by an individual entitled to benefits for such services under such subchapter (or a person acting on the individual's behalf). The organization shall inform the individual (or representative) of the organization's final disposition of the complaint. Before the organization concludes that the quality of services does not meet professionally recognized standards of health care, the organization must provide the practitioner or person concerned with reasonable notice and opportunity for discussion.
(15) During each year of the contract entered into under section 1320c–2(b) of this title, the organization shall perform on-site review activities as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(16) The organization shall provide for a review and report to the Secretary when requested by the Secretary under section 1395dd(d)(3) of this title. The organization shall provide reasonable notice of the review to the physician and hospital involved. Within the time period permitted by the Secretary, the organization shall provide a reasonable opportunity for discussion with the physician and hospital involved, and an opportunity for the physician and hospital to submit additional information, before issuing its report to the Secretary under such section.
(17) The organization shall execute its responsibilities under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) by offering to providers, practitioners, Medicare Advantage organizations offering Medicare Advantage plans under part C,3 and prescription drug sponsors offering prescription drug plans under part D 3 quality improvement assistance pertaining to prescription drug therapy. For purposes of this part and subchapter XVIII of this chapter, the functions described in this paragraph shall be treated as a review function.
(18) The organization shall perform, subject to the terms of the contract, such other activities as the Secretary determines may be necessary for the purposes of improving the quality of care furnished to individuals with respect to items and services for which payment may be made under subchapter XVIII.
A quality improvement organization entering into a contract with the Secretary to perform a function described in a paragraph under subsection (a) must perform all of the activities described in such paragraph, except to the extent otherwise negotiated with the Secretary pursuant to the contract or except for a function for which the Secretary determines it is not appropriate for the organization to perform, such as a function that could cause a conflict of interest with another function.
(1) No physician shall be permitted to review—
(A) health care services provided to a patient if he was directly responsible for providing such services; or
(B) health care services provided in or by an institution, organization, or agency, if he or any member of his family has, directly or indirectly, a significant financial interest in such institution, organization, or agency.
(2) For purposes of this subsection, a physician's family includes only his spouse (other than a spouse who is legally separated from him under a decree of divorce or separate maintenance), children (including legally adopted children), grandchildren, parents, and grandparents.
No quality improvement organization shall utilize the services of any individual who is not a duly licensed doctor of medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, optometry, or podiatry to make final determinations of denial decisions in accordance with its duties and functions under this part with respect to the professional conduct of any other duly licensed doctor of medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, optometry, or podiatry, or any act performed by any duly licensed doctor of medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, optometry, or podiatry in the exercise of his profession.
(1) If—
(A) a hospital has determined that a patient no longer requires inpatient hospital care, and
(B) the attending physician has agreed with the hospital's determination,
the hospital may provide the patient (or the patient's representative) with a notice (meeting conditions prescribed by the Secretary under section 1395pp of this title) of the determination.
(2) to (4) Repealed. Pub. L. 106–554, §1(a)(6) [title V, §521(c)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–543.
The Secretary, in consultation with appropriate experts, shall identify methods that would be available to assist quality improvement organizations (under subsection (a)(4) of this section) in identifying those cases which are more likely than others to be associated with a quality of services which does not meet professionally recognized standards of health care.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1154, as added Pub. L. 97–248, title I, §143, Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 385; amended Pub. L. 97–448, title III, §309(b)(3), (4), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2408, 2409; Pub. L. 99–272, title IX, §§9307(b), 9401(a), 9403(a), 9405(a), Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 193, 196, 200, 201; Pub. L. 99–509, title IX, §§9343(d), 9351(a), 9352(b), 9353(a)(1)–(3), (c)(1), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 2040, 2043, 2044–2047; Pub. L. 100–203, title IV, §§4039(h)(3), (4), 4093(a), 4094(a)–(c)(1)(A), (2)(A), (B), 4096(c), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–135 to 1330–137, 1330–139, as amended Pub. L. 100–360, title IV, §411(e)(3), (j)(3)(A), July 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 775, 791; Pub. L. 100–360, title II, §203(d)(2), title IV, §411(j)(2), (3)(B), (4)(C), July 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 724, 775, 791; Pub. L. 100–485, title VI, §608(d)(25)(B), Oct. 13, 1988, 102 Stat. 2421; Pub. L. 101–234, title II, §201(a), Dec. 13, 1989, 103 Stat. 1981; Pub. L. 101–239, title VI, §6224(a)(1), (b)(1), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2257; Pub. L. 101–508, title IV, §§4205(b)(1), (d)(1)(A), (g)(1)(A), (2)(A), 4207(a)(1)(B), formerly 4027(a)(1)(B), 4358(b)(3), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–113 to 1388–115, 1388–117, 1388–137; Pub. L. 103–432, title I, §§156(a)(2)(A), (b)(2)(A), 160(d)(4), 171(h)(2), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4440, 4441, 4444, 4450; Pub. L. 106–554, §1(a)(6) [title V, §521(c)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–543; Pub. L. 108–173, title I, §109(a), (b), title IX, §948(d), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2173, 2426; Pub. L. 112–40, title II, §261(a)(2)(B), (C), (c)(2), (d), Oct. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 423, 425.)
A prior section 1320c–3, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1154, as added Oct. 30, 1972, Pub. L. 92–603, title II, §249F(b), 86 Stat. 1432; amended Oct. 25, 1977, Pub. L. 95–142, §5(b), (d)(2)(C), 91 Stat. 1184, 1186; Dec. 5, 1980, Pub. L. 96–499, title IX, §924(a), 94 Stat. 2628; Aug. 13, 1981, Pub. L. 97–35, title XXI, §§2112(a)(1), (2)(B), (b), 2113(c), 2121(e), 95 Stat. 793, 794, 796, related to trial period for Professional Standards Review Organizations, prior to the general revision of this part by Pub. L. 97–248.
2011—Pub. L. 112–40, §261(a)(2)(B), substituted “quality improvement” for “peer review” in section catchline.
Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 112–40, §261(a)(2)(C), (c)(2)(A)(i), in introductory provisions, substituted “Subject to subsection (b), any quality improvement” for “Any utilization and quality control peer review” and inserted “one or more of” before “the following functions”.
Subsec. (a)(2)(B), (3)(E)(i), (4)(A). Pub. L. 112–40, §261(a)(2)(C), substituted “quality improvement” for “peer review”.
Subsec. (a)(4)(C). Pub. L. 112–40, §261(c)(2)(A)(ii), struck out subpar. (C) which related to State-by-State competitive procurement procedures for review of quality of health care services and required certain contractual terms.
Subsec. (a)(10)(B). Pub. L. 112–40, §261(a)(2)(C), substituted “quality improvement” for “peer review”.
Subsec. (a)(12). Pub. L. 112–40, §261(c)(2)(A)(iii), added par. (12).
Subsec. (a)(15). Pub. L. 112–40, §261(c)(2)(A)(iv), substituted “on-site review activities as the Secretary determines appropriate” for “significant on-site review activities, including on-site review in at least 20 percent of the rural hospitals in the organization's area”.
Subsec. (a)(18). Pub. L. 112–40, §261(d), added par. (18).
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 112–40, §261(c)(2)(C), added subsec. (b). Former subsec. (b) redesignated (c).
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 112–40, §261(c)(2)(B), redesignated subsec. (b) as (c). Former subsec. (c) redesignated (d).
Pub. L. 112–40, §261(a)(2)(C), substituted “quality improvement” for “utilization and quality control peer review”.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 112–40, §261(c)(2)(B), redesignated subsec. (c) as (d) and struck out former subsec. (d). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “Each contract under this part shall require that the utilization and quality control peer review organization's review responsibility pursuant to subsection (a)(1) of this section will include review of all ambulatory surgical procedures specified pursuant to section 1395l(i)(1)(A) of this title which are performed in the area, or, at the discretion of the Secretary a sample of such procedures.”
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 112–40, §261(a)(2)(C), substituted “quality improvement” for “peer review”.
2003—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 108–173, §109(a), inserted “, to Medicare Advantage organizations pursuant to contracts under part C, and to prescription drug sponsors pursuant to contracts under part D” after “under section 1395mm of this title”.
Subsec. (a)(17). Pub. L. 108–173, §109(b), added par. (17).
Subsec. (e)(5). Pub. L. 108–173, §948(d), struck out par. (5) which read as follows: “In any review conducted under paragraph (2) or (3), the organization shall solicit the views of the patient involved (or the patient's representative).”
2000—Subsec. (e)(2) to (4). Pub. L. 106–554 struck out pars. (2) to (4), which had: in par. (2), authorized peer review organization review of validity of hospital's determination that a patient no longer required inpatient hospital care but attending physician had not agreed with the hospital's determination; in par. (3), authorized review of the determination where patient or patient's representative had received a notice under par. (1) and requested the review; and in par. (4), directed that hospital could not charge patient for inpatient services furnished before noon of the day after the date the patient or representative received notice of the decision where request for review had been made not later than noon of the first working day after notice under par. (1) had been received and section 1395pp(a)(2) conditions had been met.
1994—Subsec. (a)(4)(B). Pub. L. 103–432, §171(h)(2), substituted “(or that is subject to review under section 1395ss(t)(3) of this title)” for “(or subject to review under section 1395ss(t) of this title)”.
Subsec. (a)(9)(B). Pub. L. 103–432, §156(b)(2)(B), amended subpar. (B) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (B) read as follows: “If the organization finds, after notice and hearing, that a physician has furnished services in violation of this subsection, the organization shall notify the State board or boards responsible for the licensing or disciplining of the physician of its finding and decision.”
Subsec. (a)(12). Pub. L. 103–432, §156(a)(2)(A)(i), struck out par. (12) which read as follows: “The organization shall perform the review, referral, and other functions required under section 1320c–13 of this title.”
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 103–432, §156(a)(2)(A)(ii), struck out “(and except as provided in section 1320c–13 of this title)” after “discretion of the Secretary”.
1990—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 101–508, §4205(g)(2)(A), inserted third sentence and struck out former third sentence which read as follows: “Determinations that payment should not be made by reason of subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) shall be made only on the basis of criteria which are consistent with guidelines established by the Secretary.”
Subsec. (a)(3)(E). Pub. L. 101–508, §4205(g)(1)(A), designated existing provisions as cl. (i), inserted “provided by a physician that were” after “items”, substituted “physician.” for “physician and hospital.”, and added cl. (ii).
Subsec. (a)(4)(B). Pub. L. 101–508, §4358(b)(3), inserted “(or subject to review under section 1395ss(t) of this title)” after “section 1395mm of this title” in first sentence.
Subsec. (a)(7)(A)(i). Pub. L. 101–508, §4205(b)(1)(A), inserted “, optometry, and podiatry” after “dentistry”.
Subsec. (a)(9). Pub. L. 101–508, §4205(d)(1)(A), designated existing provisions as subpar. (A) and added subpar. (B).
Subsec. (a)(16). Pub. L. 101–508, §4207(a)(1)(B), formerly §4027(a)(1)(B), as renumbered by Pub. L. 103–432, §160(d)(4), added par. (16).
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 101–508, §4205(b)(1)(B), substituted “dentistry, optometry, or podiatry” for “or dentistry” in three places.
1989—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 101–239, §6224(a)(1), inserted at end “If the organization performs such reviews with respect to a type of health care practitioner other than medical doctors, the organization shall establish procedures for the involvement of health care practitioners of that type in such reviews.”
Subsec. (a)(3)(A). Pub. L. 101–239, §6224(b)(1)(A), substituted “subparagraphs (B) and (D)” for “subparagraph (B)”.
Subsec. (a)(3)(B). Pub. L. 101–239, §6224(b)(1)(B), inserted “with respect to services or items disapproved by reason of subparagraph (A) or (C) of paragraph (1)” after “under subparagraph (A)”.
Subsec. (a)(3)(D), (E). Pub. L. 101–239, §6224(b)(1)(C), added subpars. (D) and (E).
Subsec. (a)(16). Pub. L. 101–234, repealed Pub. L. 100–360, §203(d)(2), and provided that the provisions of law amended or repealed by such section are restored or revived as if such section had not been enacted, see 1988 Amendment note below.
1988—Subsec. (a)(3)(C). Pub. L. 100–360, §411(j)(2), designated last sentence of par. (3) as subpar. (C).
Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 100–360, §411(e)(3), added Pub. L. 100–203, §4039(h)(3), see 1987 Amendment note below.
Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 100–360, §411(j)(3)(A), made technical amendment to directory language of Pub. L. 100–203, §4094(a), see 1987 Amendment note below.
Subsec. (a)(15). Pub. L. 100–360, §411(j)(3)(B), substituted “review in at least” for “review at at least”.
Subsec. (a)(16). Pub. L. 100–360, §203(d)(2), added par. (16) which related to review of home intravenous drug therapy services.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 100–360, §411(e)(3), added Pub. L. 100–203, §4039(h)(4), see 1987 Amendment note below.
Subsec. (e)(3)(A)(i). Pub. L. 100–360, §411(j)(4)(C), as amended by Pub. L. 100–485, §608(d)(25)(B), substituted “paragraph (1)” for “paragraph (1) or (2)”.
Subsec. (e)(3)(B). Pub. L. 100–360, §411(j)(4)(C), as amended by Pub. L. 100–485, §608(d)(25)(B), substituted “paragraph (1)” for “paragraph (1) or (2)” in introductory provisions.
1987—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 100–203, §4093(a), amended par. (3) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (3) read as follows: “Whenever the organization makes a determination that any health care services or items furnished or to be furnished to a patient by any practitioner or provider are disapproved, the organization shall promptly notify such practitioner or provider, such patient, and the agency or organization responsible for the payment of claims under subchapter XVIII of this chapter. In the case of practitioners and providers of services, the organization shall provide an opportunity for discussion and review of the determination.”
Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 100–203, §4039(h)(3), as added by Pub. L. 100–360, §411(e)(3), realigned margins for subpars. (B) and (C) and cls. (i) to (iii) of subpar. (C), in subpar. (B), substituted “risk sharing contract under section 1395mm” for “contract under section 1395mm”, and in subpar. (C), inserted “(other than the ability to perform review functions under this section that are not described in subparagraph (B))”.
Subsec. (a)(4)(B). Pub. L. 100–203, §4094(c)(2)(A), inserted before period at end of first sentence “and whether individuals enrolled with an eligible organization have adequate access to health care services provided by or through such organization (as determined, in part, by a survey of individuals enrolled with the organization who have not yet used the organization to receive such services). The contract of each organization shall also provide that with respect to health care provided by a health maintenance organization or competitive medical plan under section 1395mm of this title, the organization shall maintain a beneficiary outreach program designed to apprise individuals receiving care under such section of the role of the peer review system, of the rights of the individual under such system, and of the method and purposes for contacting the organization” and substituted “previous two sentences” for “previous sentence” in penultimate sentence.
Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 100–203, §4094(c)(1)(A), designated existing provisions as subpar. (A), redesignated former subpars. (A) and (B) as cls. (i) and (ii), respectively, and added subpar. (B).
Pub. L. 100–203, §4094(a), as amended by Pub. L. 100–360, §411(j)(3)(A), inserted after and below subpar. (A) the following: “As a component of the norms described in clause (i) or (ii), the organization shall take into account the special problems associated with delivering care in remote rural areas, the availability of service alternatives to inpatient hospitalization, and other appropriate factors (such as the distance from a patient's residence to the site of care, family support, availability of proximate alternative sites of care, and the patient's ability to carry out necessary or prescribed self-care regimens) that could adversely affect the safety or effectiveness of treatment provided on an outpatient basis.”
Subsec. (a)(7)(A). Pub. L. 100–203, §4094(c)(2)(B), designated existing provisions as cl. (i) and added cl. (ii).
Subsec. (a)(15). Pub. L. 100–203, §4094(b), added par. (15).
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 100–203, §4039(h)(4), as added by Pub. L. 100–360, §411(e)(3), substituted “1320c–13 of this title” for “1320c–13(b)(4) of this title”.
Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 100–203, §4096(c)(1), inserted provision at end requiring hospital to notify patient if it has requested a review.
Subsec. (e)(3)(A)(i), (B). Pub. L. 100–203, §4096(c)(2), inserted “or (2)” after “paragraph (1)”.
1986—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 99–509, §9343(d)(1), inserted “and subject to the requirements of subsection (d) of this section” after “subject to the terms of the contract” in introductory provisions.
Pub. L. 99–272, §9405(a), inserted “(including where payment is made for such services to eligible organizations pursuant to contracts under section 1395mm of this title)” after “subchapter XVIII of this chapter” in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 99–272, §9403(a), in introductory provisions substituted “subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C)” for “subparagraphs (A) and (C)”, and following subpar. (D) inserted provision that determinations that payment should not be made by reason of subpar. (B) of par. (1) shall be made only on the basis of criteria which are consistent with guidelines established by the Secretary.
Subsec. (a)(4)(A). Pub. L. 99–509, §9353(a)(1), inserted at end “Each peer review organization shall provide that a reasonable proportion of its activities are involved with reviewing, under paragraph (1)(B), the quality of services and that a reasonable allocation of such activities is made among the different cases and settings (including post-acute-care settings, ambulatory settings, and health maintenance organizations). In establishing such allocation, the organization shall consider (i) whether there is reason to believe that there is a particular need for reviews of particular cases or settings because of previous problems regarding quality of care, (ii) the cost of such reviews and the likely yield of such reviews in terms of number and seriousness of quality of care problems likely to be discovered as a result of such reviews, and (iii) the availability and adequacy of alternative quality review and assurance mechanisms.”
Pub. L. 99–509, §9353(a)(2)(A), inserted “(A)” after “(4)”.
Subsec. (a)(4)(B). Pub. L. 99–509, §9353(a)(2)(C), inserted at end “Under the contract the level of effort expended by the organization on reviews under this subparagraph shall be equivalent, on a per enrollee basis, to the level of effort expended by the organization on utilization and quality reviews performed with respect to individuals not enrolled with an eligible organization.”
Pub. L. 99–509, §9353(a)(2)(B), added subpar. (B).
Subsec. (a)(4)(C). Pub. L. 99–509, §9353(a)(2)(D), added subpar. (C).
Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 99–272, §9307(b), inserted “or as may be required to carry out section 1395y(a)(15) of this title” before the period at end.
Subsec. (a)(12). Pub. L. 99–272, §9401(a), added par. (12).
Subsec. (a)(13). Pub. L. 99–509, §9352(b), added par. (13).
Subsec. (a)(14). Pub. L. 99–509, §9353(c)(1), added par. (14).
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 99–509, §9343(d)(2), added subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 99–509, §9351(a), added subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 99–509, §9353(a)(3), added subsec. (f).
1983—Subsec. (a)(1)(A). Pub. L. 97–448, §309(b)(3), substituted “and whether such services and items are not allowable under subsection (a)(1) or (a)(9) of section 1395y of this title” for “or otherwise allowable under section 1395y(a)(1) of this title”.
Subsec. (a)(2)(B). Pub. L. 97–448, §309(b)(4), struck out “posthospital” before “extended care services”.
Amendment by Pub. L. 112–40 applicable to contracts entered into or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2012, see section 261(e) of Pub. L. 112–40, set out as a note under section 1320c of this title.
Pub. L. 108–173, title I, §109(c), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2173, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply on and after January 1, 2004.”
Pub. L. 108–173, title IX, §948(d), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2426, provided that the amendment made by section 948(d) is effective as if included in the enactment of section 521(c) of BIPA (the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000, as enacted by section 1(a)(6) of Pub. L. 106–554).
Pub. L. 106–554, §1(a)(6) [title V, §521(d)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–543, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 1395w–22 and 1395ff of this title] shall apply with respect to initial determinations made on or after October 1, 2002.”
Section 156(a)(3) of Pub. L. 103–432 provided that: “The amendments made by this subsection [amending this section and sections 1395l, 1395m, 1395y, and 1395cc of this title and repealing section 1320c–13 of this title] shall apply to services provided on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 31, 1994].”
Amendment by section 171(h)(2) of Pub. L. 103–432 effective as if included in the enactment of Pub. L. 101–508, see section 171(l) of Pub. L. 103–432, set out as a note under section 1395ss of this title.
Section 4205(b)(2) of Pub. L. 101–508 provided that: “The amendments made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall apply to contracts entered into or renewed on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 5, 1990].”
Section 4205(d)(1)(C) of Pub. L. 101–508 provided that: “The amendments made by this paragraph [amending this section and section 1320c–9 of this title] shall apply to notices of proposed sanctions issued more than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 5, 1990].”
Section 4205(g)(1)(B) of Pub. L. 101–508 provided that: “The amendments made by subparagraph (A) [amending this section] shall take effect as if included in the enactment of the Omnibus Budget Reconiliation [sic] Act of 1989 [Pub. L. 101–239].”
Section 4205(g)(2)(B) of Pub. L. 101–508 provided that: “The amendment made by subparagraph (A) [amending this section] shall take effect as if included in the enactment of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 [Pub. L. 99–272].”
Section 4207(a)(1)(C), formerly 4027(a)(1)(C), of Pub. L. 101–508, as renumbered by Pub. L. 103–432, title I, §160(d)(4), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4444, provided that: “The amendment made by subparagraph (A) [amending section 1395dd of this title] shall take effect on the first day of the first month beginning more than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 5, 1990]. The amendment made by subparagraph (B) [amending this section] shall apply to contracts under part B of title XI of the Social Security Act [this part] as of the first day of the first month beginning more than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.”
Section 4358(c) of Pub. L. 101–508, as amended by Pub. L. 103–432, title I, §172(a), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4452; Pub. L. 104–18, §1, July 7, 1995, 109 Stat. 192, provided that:
“(1) The amendments made by this section [amending this section and section 1395ss of this title] shall only apply—
“(A) in 15 States (as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services) and such other States as elect such amendments to apply to them, and
“(B) subject to paragraph (2), during the 6½-year period beginning with 1992.
For purposes of this paragraph, the term ‘State’ has the meaning given such term by section 210(h) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 410(h)).
“(2)(A) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall conduct a study that compares the health care costs, quality of care, and access to services under medicare select policies with that under other medicare supplemental policies. The study shall be based on surveys of appropriate age-adjusted sample populations. The study shall be completed by June 30, 1997.
“(B) Not later than December 31, 1997, the Secretary shall determine, based on the results of the study under subparagraph (A), if any of the following findings are true:
“(i) The amendments made by this section have not resulted in savings of premium costs to those enrolled in medicare select policies (in comparison to their enrollment in medicare supplemental policies that are not medicare select policies and that provide comparable coverage).
“(ii) There have been significant additional expenditures under the medicare program as a result of such amendments.
“(iii) Access to and quality of care has been significantly diminished as a result of such amendments.
“(C) The amendments made by this section shall remain in effect beyond the 6½-year period described in paragraph (1)(B) unless the Secretary determines that any of the findings described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of subparagraph (B) are true.
“(3) The Comptroller General shall conduct a study to determine the extent to which individuals who are continuously covered under a medicare supplemental policy are subject to medical underwriting if they change the policy under which they are covered, and to identify options, if necessary, for modifying the medicare supplemental insurance market to make sure that continuously insured beneficiaries are able to switch plans without medical underwriting. By not later than June 30, 1996, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Congress a report on the study. The report shall include a description of the potential impact on the cost and availability of medicare supplemental policies of each option identified in the study.”
[Section 172(b) of Pub. L. 103–432 provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending section 4358(c) of Pub. L. 101–508, set out above] shall take effect as if included in the enactment of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 [Pub. L. 101–508].”]
Section 6224(a)(2) of Pub. L. 101–239 provided that: “The amendment made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall apply to contracts entered into after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 19, 1989].”
Section 6224(b)(3) of Pub. L. 101–239 provided that: “The amendments made by this subsection [amending this section and section 1320c–4 of this title] shall apply to determinations by utilization and quality control peer review organizations with respect to which preliminary notifications were made under section 1154(a)(3)(B) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (a)(3)(B) of this section] more than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 19, 1989].”
Amendment by Pub. L. 101–234 effective Jan. 1, 1990, see section 201(c) of Pub. L. 101–234, set out as a note under section 1320a–7a of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 100–485 effective as if included in the enactment of the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988, Pub. L. 100–360, see section 608(g)(1) of Pub. L. 100–485, set out as a note under section 704 of this title.
Section 203(g) of Pub. L. 100–360, which had provided that the amendments made by section 203 of Pub. L. 100–360 (amending this section and sections 1395h, 1395k to 1395n, 1395w–2, 1395x, 1395z, and 1395aa of this title) were to apply to items and services furnished on or after January 1, 1990, was repealed by Pub. L. 101–234, title II, §201(a), Dec. 13, 1989, 103 Stat. 1981.
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of Pub. L. 100–360, amendment by section 411(e)(3), (j)(2), (3), (4)(C) of Pub. L. 100–360, as it relates to a provision in the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987, Pub. L. 100–203, effective as if included in the enactment of that provision in Pub. L. 100–203, see section 411(a) of Pub. L. 100–360, set out as a Reference to OBRA; Effective Date note under section 106 of Title 1, General Provisions.
Section 4093(b) of Pub. L. 100–203 provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to determinations made on or after April 1, 1988.”
Section 4094(c)(1)(B) of Pub. L. 100–203 provided that: “The amendments made by subparagraph (A) [amending this section] shall apply to contracts under part B of title XI of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 1320c et seq.] entered into or renewed more than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 22, 1987].”
Section 4094(c)(2)(C) of Pub. L. 100–203 provided that: “The amendments made by this paragraph [amending this section] shall apply with respect to contracts entered into or renewed on or after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 22, 1987].”
Section 4096(d) of Pub. L. 100–203 provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 1395u, 1395gg, and 1395pp of this title] shall apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 1988.”
Amendment by section 9343(d) of Pub. L. 99–509 applicable to contracts entered into or renewed after Jan. 1, 1987, see section 9343(h)(4) of Pub. L. 99–509, as amended, set out as a note under section 1395l of this title.
Section 9351(b) of Pub. L. 99–509 provided that:
“(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to denial notices furnished by hospitals to individuals on or after the first day of the first month that begins more than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 21, 1986].
“(2) Section 1154(e)(4) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (e)(4) of this section] (as added by the amendment made by subsection (a)) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 21, 1986].”
Section 9352(c)(2) of Pub. L. 99–509 provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (b) [amending this section] shall apply to contracts entered into or renewed on or after January 1, 1987, except that in applying such amendment before January 1, 1989, the term ‘post-hospital services’ does not include physicians’ services, other than physicians’ services furnished in a hospital, other inpatient facility, ambulatory surgical center, or rural health clinic.”
Section 9353(a)(6) of Pub. L. 99–509, as amended by Pub. L. 100–203, title IV, §4039(h)(9)(A), (B), as added Pub. L. 100–360, title IV, §411(e)(3), July 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 776, provided that:
“(A)(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), the amendments made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall apply to contracts entered into or renewed on or after January 1, 1987.
“(ii) The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall not be construed as requiring, before January 1, 1989, the review of physicians’ services, other than physicians’ services furnished in a hospital, other inpatient facility, ambulatory surgical center, or rural health clinic.
“(B) The amendments made by paragraphs (2)(B) and (2)(D) [amending this section] shall apply to contracts as of April 1, 1987.
“(C) The amendment made by paragraph (2)(C) [amending this section] shall apply to review activities conducted by organizations on or after January 1, 1988.
“(D) The amendment made by paragraph (3) [amending this section] becomes effective on the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 21, 1986].”
Section 9353(c)(2) of Pub. L. 99–509 provided that: “The amendment made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall apply to complaints received on or after the first day of the first month that begins more than 9 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 21, 1986].”
Section 9307(e) of Pub. L. 99–272 provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 1395u and 1395y of this title] shall apply to services performed on or after April 1, 1986.”
Section 9401(d) of Pub. L. 99–272 provided that: “The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to items and services furnished on or after January 1, 1987. The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide for such modification of contracts under part B of title XI of the Social Security Act [this part] that are in effect on that date as may be necessary to effect these amendments on a timely basis.”
Section 9403(c) of Pub. L. 99–272 provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and section 1395cc of this title] shall become effective on the date of the enactment of this Act [Apr. 7, 1986].”
Section 9405(b) of Pub. L. 99–272, as amended by Pub. L. 99–509, title IX, §9353(a)(5), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 2046, provided that: “The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to items and services furnished on or after April 1, 1987.”
Amendment by Pub. L. 97–448 effective as if originally included as a part of this section as this section was added by the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982, Pub. L. 97–248, see section 309(c)(2) of Pub. L. 97–448, set out as a note under section 426–1 of this title.
For provisions relating to changes required to conform State regulatory programs to amendments by section 171 of Pub. L. 103–432, see section 171(m) of Pub. L. 103–432, set out as a note under section 1395ss of this title.
Section 9353(a)(4) of Pub. L. 99–509 provided that: “The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide, to at least 12 utilization and quality control peer review organizations with contracts under part B of title XI of the Social Security Act [this part], data and data processing assistance to allow each of these organizations to review and analyze small-area variations, in the service area of the organization, in the utilization of hospital and other health care services for which payment is made under title XVIII of such Act [subchapter XVIII of this chapter].”
1 See References in Text note below.
2 So in original. The period probably should be a semicolon.
3 See References in Text note below.
Any beneficiary who is entitled to benefits under subchapter XVIII of this chapter, and, subject to section 1320c–3(a)(3)(D) of this title, any practitioner or provider, who is dissatisfied with a determination made by a contracting quality improvement organization in conducting its review responsibilities under this part, shall be entitled to a reconsideration of such determination by the reviewing organization. Where the reconsideration is adverse to the beneficiary and where the matter in controversy is $200 or more, such beneficiary shall be entitled to a hearing by the Secretary (to the same extent as beneficiaries under subchapter II of this chapter are entitled to a hearing by the Commissioner of Social Security under section 405(b) of this title). For purposes of the preceding sentence, subsection (l) of section 405 of this title shall apply, except that any reference in such subsection to the Commissioner of Social Security or the Social Security Administration shall be deemed a reference to the Secretary or the Department of Health and Human Services, respectively. Where the amount in controversy is $2,000 or more, such beneficiary shall be entitled to judicial review of any final decision relating to a reconsideration described in this subsection.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1155, as added Pub. L. 97–248, title I, §143, Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 388; amended Pub. L. 101–239, title VI, §6224(b)(2), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2257; Pub. L. 103–296, title I, §108(b)(14), Aug. 15, 1994, 108 Stat. 1485; Pub. L. 112–40, title II, §261(a)(2)(C), Oct. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 423.)
A prior section 1320c–4, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1155, as added Oct. 30, 1972, Pub. L. 92–603, title II, §249F(b), 86 Stat. 1433; amended Oct. 25, 1977, Pub. L. 95–142, §5(c)(1), (d)(3), (o)(2), (p), 91 Stat. 1184, 1188, 1191, 1192; Dec. 5, 1980, Pub. L. 96–499, title IX, §§924(b)–(d), 925–927(a), 931(g), 94 Stat. 2629, 2630, 2634; Aug. 13, 1981, Pub. L. 97–35, title XXI, §§2111, 2113(d), 2121(f), 95 Stat. 793, 794, 796, related to functions and duties of Professional Standards Review Organizations, prior to the general revision of this part by Pub. L. 97–248.
2011—Pub. L. 112–40 substituted “quality improvement” for “peer review”.
1994—Pub. L. 103–296 substituted “(to the same extent as beneficiaries under subchapter II of this chapter are entitled to a hearing by the Commissioner of Social Security under section 405(b) of this title). For purposes of the preceding sentence, subsection (l) of section 405 of this title shall apply, except that any reference in such subsection to the Commissioner of Social Security or the Social Security Administration shall be deemed a reference to the Secretary or the Department of Health and Human Services, respectively. Where the amount in controversy is $2,000 or more, such beneficiary shall be entitled to judicial review of any final decision relating to a reconsideration described in this subsection.” for “(to the same extent as is provided in section 405(b) of this title), and, where the amount in controversy is $2,000 or more, to judicial review of the Secretary's final decision.”
1989—Pub. L. 101–239 inserted “, subject to section 1320c–3(a)(3)(D) of this title,” before “any practitioner or provider”.
Amendment by Pub. L. 112–40 applicable to contracts entered into or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2012, see section 261(e) of Pub. L. 112–40, set out as a note under section 1320c of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 103–296 effective Mar. 31, 1995, see section 110(a) of Pub. L. 103–296, set out as a note under section 401 of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 101–239 applicable to determinations by utilization and quality control peer review organizations with respect to which preliminary notifications were made under section 1320c–3(a)(3)(B) of this title more than 30 days after Dec. 19, 1989, see section 6224(b)(3) of Pub. L. 101–239, set out as a note under section 1320c–3 of this title.
It shall be the obligation of any health care practitioner and any other person (including a hospital or other health care facility, organization, or agency) who provides health care services for which payment may be made (in whole or in part) under this chapter, to assure, to the extent of his authority that services or items ordered or provided by such practitioner or person to beneficiaries and recipients under this chapter—
(1) will be provided economically and only when, and to the extent, medically necessary;
(2) will be of a quality which meets professionally recognized standards of health care; and
(3) will be supported by evidence of medical necessity and quality in such form and fashion and at such time as may reasonably be required by a reviewing quality improvement organization in the exercise of its duties and responsibilities.
(1) If after reasonable notice and opportunity for discussion with the practitioner or person concerned, and, if appropriate, after the practitioner or person has been given a reasonable opportunity to enter into and complete a corrective action plan (which may include remedial education) agreed to by the organization, and has failed successfully to complete such plan, any organization having a contract with the Secretary under this part determines that such practitioner or person has—
(A) failed in a substantial number of cases substantially to comply with any obligation imposed on him under subsection (a) of this section, or
(B) grossly and flagrantly violated any such obligation in one or more instances,
such organization shall submit a report and recommendations to the Secretary. If the Secretary agrees with such determination, the Secretary (in addition to any other sanction provided under law) may exclude (permanently or for such period as the Secretary may prescribe, except that such period may not be less than 1 year) such practitioner or person from eligibility to provide services under this chapter on a reimbursable basis. If the Secretary fails to act upon the recommendations submitted to him by such organization within 120 days after such submission, such practitioner or person shall be excluded from eligibility to provide services on a reimbursable basis until such time as the Secretary determines otherwise.
(2) A determination made by the Secretary under this subsection to exclude a practitioner or person shall be effective on the same date and in the same manner as an exclusion from participation under the programs under this chapter becomes effective under section 1320a–7(c) of this title, and shall (subject to the minimum period specified in the second sentence of paragraph (1)) remain in effect until the Secretary finds and gives reasonable notice to the public that the basis for such determination has been removed and that there is reasonable assurance that it will not recur.
(3) In lieu of the sanction authorized by paragraph (1), the Secretary may require that (as a condition to the continued eligibility of such practitioner or person to provide such health care services on a reimbursable basis) such practitioner or person pays 1 to the United States, in case such acts or conduct involved the provision or ordering by such practitioner or person of health care services which were medically improper or unnecessary, an amount not in excess of up to $10,000 for each instance of the medically improper or unnecessary services so provided. Such amount may be deducted from any sums owing by the United States (or any instrumentality thereof) to the practitioner or person from whom such amount is claimed.
(4) Any practitioner or person furnishing services described in paragraph (1) who is dissatisfied with a determination made by the Secretary under this subsection shall be entitled to reasonable notice and opportunity for a hearing thereon by the Secretary to the same extent as is provided in section 405(b) of this title, and to judicial review of the Secretary's final decision after such hearing as is provided in section 405(g) of this title.
(5) Before the Secretary may effect an exclusion under paragraph (2) in the case of a provider or practitioner located in a rural health professional shortage area or in a county with a population of less than 70,000, the provider or practitioner adversely affected by the determination is entitled to a hearing before an administrative law judge (described in section 405(b) of this title) respecting whether the provider or practitioner should be able to continue furnishing services to individuals entitled to benefits under this chapter, pending completion of the administrative review procedure under paragraph (4). If the judge does not determine, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the provider or practitioner will pose a serious risk to such individuals if permitted to continue furnishing such services, the Secretary shall not effect the exclusion under paragraph (2) until the provider or practitioner has been provided reasonable notice and opportunity for an administrative hearing thereon under paragraph (4).
(6) When the Secretary effects an exclusion of a physician under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall notify the State board responsible for the licensing of the physician of the exclusion.
It shall be the duty of each quality improvement organization to use such authority or influence it may possess as a professional organization, and to enlist the support of any other professional or governmental organization having influence or authority over health care practitioners and any other person (including a hospital or other health care facility, organization, or agency) providing health care services in the area served by such review organization, in assuring that each practitioner or person (referred to in subsection (a) of this section) providing health care services in such area shall comply with all obligations imposed on him under subsection (a) of this section.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1156, as added Pub. L. 97–248, title I, §143, Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 388; amended Pub. L. 100–93, §6, Aug. 18, 1987, 101 Stat. 691; Pub. L. 100–203, title IV, §4095(a), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–138; Pub. L. 100–203, title IV, §4039(h)(5), Dec. 22, 1987, as added Pub. L. 100–360, title IV, §411(e)(3), July 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 775; Pub. L. 101–508, title IV, §4205(a)(1), (d)(2)(A), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–112, 1388–114; Pub. L. 101–597, title IV, §401(c)(1), Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3035; Pub. L. 103–432, title I, §156(b)(1), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4441; Pub. L. 104–191, title II, §§214, 231(f), Aug. 21, 1996, 110 Stat. 2005, 2014; Pub. L. 112–40, title II, §261(a)(2)(C), Oct. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 423.)
A prior section 1320c–5, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1156, as added Oct. 30, 1972, Pub. L. 92–603, title II, §249F(b), 86 Stat. 1435, provided for development of norms of health care services by Professional Standards Review Organizations, prior to the general revision of this part by Pub. L. 97–248.
2011—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 112–40 substituted “quality improvement” for “peer review”.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 112–40 substituted “quality improvement” for “utilization and quality control peer review”.
1996—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 104–191, §214(b)(2), struck out in concluding provisions “In determining whether a practitioner or person has demonstrated an unwillingness or lack of ability substantially to comply with such obligations, the Secretary shall consider the practitioner's or person's willingness or lack of ability, during the period before the organization submits its report and recommendations, to enter into and successfully complete a corrective action plan.” after “chapter on a reimbursable basis.”
Pub. L. 104–191, §214(b)(1), struck out in concluding provisions “and determines that such practitioner or person, in providing health care services over which such organization has review responsibility and for which payment (in whole or in part) may be made under this chapter, has demonstrated an unwillingness or a lack of ability substantially to comply with such obligations,” after “agrees with such determination,”.
Pub. L. 104–191, §214(a)(1), substituted “may prescribe, except that such period may not be less than 1 year)” for “may prescribe)” in concluding provisions.
Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 104–191, §214(a)(2), substituted “shall (subject to the minimum period specified in the second sentence of paragraph (1)) remain” for “shall remain”.
Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 104–191, §231(f), substituted “up to $10,000 for each instance” for “the actual or estimated cost”.
1994—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 103–432 substituted “whether” for “whehter” in third sentence.
1990—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 101–508, §4205(a)(1), inserted “and, if appropriate, after the practitioner or person has been given a reasonable opportunity to enter into and complete a corrective action plan (which may include remedial education) agreed to by the organization, and has failed successfully to complete such plan,” after “concerned,” in introductory provisions and inserted after second sentence “In determining whehter [sic] a practitioner or person has demonstrated an unwillingness or lack of ability substantially to comply with such obligations, the Secretary shall consider the practitioner's or person's willingness or lack of ability, during the period before the organization submits its report and recommendations, to enter into and successfully complete a corrective action plan.”
Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 101–597 substituted “health professional shortage area” for “health manpower shortage area (HMSA)”.
Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 101–508, §4205(d)(2)(A), added par. (6).
1988—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 100–360 added Pub. L. 100–203, §4039(h)(5), see 1987 Amendment notes below.
1987—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100–93, §6(1), substituted “this chapter” for “subchapter XVIII of this chapter” and “this subchapter”.
Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 100–203, §4039(h)(5)(A), as added by Pub. L. 100–360, substituted “services under this chapter” for “such services”.
Pub. L. 100–93, §6(2), substituted “this chapter” for “subchapter XVIII of this chapter”.
Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 100–203, §4039(h)(5)(B), as added by Pub. L. 100–360, substituted “on the same date and in the same manner as an exclusion from participation under the programs under this chapter becomes effective under section 1320a–7(c) of this title” for “at such time and upon such reasonable notice to the public and to the practitioner or person furnishing the services involved as may be specified in regulations. Such determination shall be effective with respect to services furnished to an individual on or after the effective date of such determination (except that in the case of institutional health care services such determination shall be effective in the manner provided in this chapter with respect to terminations of provider agreements)”.
Pub. L. 100–93, §6(2), substituted “this chapter” for “subchapter XVIII of this chapter”.
Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 100–203 added par. (5).
Amendment by Pub. L. 112–40 applicable to contracts entered into or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2012, see section 261(e) of Pub. L. 112–40, set out as a note under section 1320c of this title.
Amendment by section 214 of Pub. L. 104–191 effective Jan. 1, 1997, except as otherwise provided, see section 218 of Pub. L. 104–191, set out as a note under section 1320a–7 of this title.
Amendment by section 231(f) of Pub. L. 104–191 applicable to acts or omissions occurring on or after Jan. 1, 1997, see section 231(i) of Pub. L. 104–191, set out as a note under section 1320a–7a of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 103–432 effective as if included in the enactment of Pub. L. 101–508, see section 156(b)(6)(A) of Pub. L. 103–432, set out as a note under section 1320c–9 of this title.
Section 4205(a)(2) of Pub. L. 101–508 provided that: “The amendments made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall apply to initial determinations made by organizations on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 5, 1990].”
Section 4205(d)(2)(B) of Pub. L. 101–508, as amended by Pub. L. 103–432, title I, §156(b)(3), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4441, provided that: “The amendment made by this paragraph [amending this section] shall apply to sanctions effected more than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 5, 1990].”
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of Pub. L. 100–360, amendment by Pub. L. 100–360, as it relates to a provision in the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987, Pub. L. 100–203, effective as if included in the enactment of that provision in Pub. L. 100–203, see section 411(a) of Pub. L. 100–360, set out as a Reference to OBRA; Effective Date note under section 106 of Title 1, General Provisions.
Section 4095(b) of Pub. L. 100–203 provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to determinations made by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 1156(b) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (b) of this section] on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 22, 1987].”
Amendment by Pub. L. 100–93 effective at end of fourteen-day period beginning Aug. 18, 1987, and inapplicable to administrative proceedings commenced before end of such period, see section 15(a) of Pub. L. 100–93, set out as a note under section 1320a–7 of this title.
Section 4094(e) of Pub. L. 100–203, as amended by Pub. L. 100–360, title IV, §411(j)(3)(C), as added by Pub. L. 100–485, title VI, §608(d)(25)(A), Oct. 13, 1988, 102 Stat. 2421, provided that: “The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall enter into agreements with entities submitting applications under this subsection (in such form as the Secretary may provide) to establish demonstration projects to examine the feasibility of requiring instruction and oversight of rural physicians, in lieu of imposing sanctions, through use of video communication between rural hospitals and teaching hospitals under this title [probably means title XI of the Social Security Act which is classified to this subchapter]. Under such demonstration projects, the Secretary may provide for payments to physicians consulted via video communication systems. No funds may be expended under the demonstration projects for the acquisition of capital items including computer hardware.”
Section 4095(c), (d) of Pub. L. 100–203 provided that:
“(c)
“(1) for whom a notice of determination under section 1156(b) of the Social Security Act [subsec. (b) of this section] has been provided within 365 days before the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 22, 1987],
“(2) who has not exhausted the administrative remedies available under section 1156(b)(4) of such Act for review of the determination, and
“(3) who requests, within 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, a hearing established under this subsection,
the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide for a hearing described in section 1156(b)(5) of the Social Security Act (as amended by subsection (a) of this section).
“(d)
1 So in original. Probably should be “pay”.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person providing information to any organization having a contract with the Secretary under this part shall be held, by reason of having provided such information, to have violated any criminal law, or to be civilly liable under any law of the United States or of any State (or political subdivision thereof) unless—
(1) such information is unrelated to the performance of the contract of such organization; or
(2) such information is false and the person providing it knew, or had reason to believe, that such information was false.
No organization having a contract with the Secretary under this part and no person who is employed by, or who has a fiduciary relationship with, any such organization or who furnishes professional services to such organization, shall be held by reason of the performance of any duty, function, or activity required or authorized pursuant to this part or to a valid contract entered into under this part, to have violated any criminal law, or to be civilly liable under any law of the United States or of any State (or political subdivision thereof) provided due care was exercised in the performance of such duty, function, or activity.
No doctor of medicine or osteopathy and no provider (including directors, trustees, employees, or officials thereof) of health care services shall be civilly liable to any person under any law of the United States or of any State (or political subdivision thereof) on account of any action taken by him in compliance with or reliance upon professionally developed norms of care and treatment applied by an organization under contract pursuant to section 1320c–2 of this title operating in the area where such doctor of medicine or osteopathy or provider took such action; but only if—
(1) he takes such action in the exercise of his profession as a doctor of medicine or osteopathy or in the exercise of his functions as a provider of health care services; and
(2) he exercised due care in all professional conduct taken or directed by him and reasonably related to, and resulting from, the actions taken in compliance with or reliance upon such professionally accepted norms of care and treatment.
The Secretary shall make payment to an organization under contract with him pursuant to this part, or to any member or employee thereof, or to any person who furnishes legal counsel or services to such organization, in an amount equal to the reasonable amount of the expenses incurred, as determined by the Secretary, in connection with the defense of any suit, action, or proceeding brought against such organization, member, or employee related to the performance of any duty or function under such contract by such organization, member, or employee.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1157, as added Pub. L. 97–248, title I, §143, Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 389; amended Pub. L. 101–508, title IV, §4205(f), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–114.)
A prior section 1320c–6, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1157, as added Oct. 30, 1972, Pub. L. 92–603, title II, §249F(b), 86 Stat. 1437; amended Oct. 25, 1977, Pub. L. 95–142, §13(b)(4), 91 Stat. 1198, related to submission of reports by Professional Standards Review Organizations, prior to the general revision of this part by Pub. L. 97–248.
1990—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 101–508 inserted “organization having a contract with the Secretary under this part and no” after “No”, struck out “by him” after “the performance”, and substituted “due care was exercised in the performance of such duty, function, or activity” for “he has exercised due care”.
A State plan approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter may provide that the functions specified in section 1320c–3 of this title may be performed in an area by contract with a quality improvement organization that has entered into a contract with the Secretary in accordance with the provisions of section 1395y(g) of this title.
In the event a State enters into a contract in accordance with subsection (a) of this section, the Federal share of the expenditures made to the contracting organization for its costs in the performance of its functions under the State plan shall be 75 percent (as provided in section 1396b(a)(3)(C) of this title).
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1158, as added Pub. L. 97–248, title I, §143, Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 390; amended Pub. L. 112–40, title II, §261(a)(2)(C), Oct. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 423.)
A prior section 1320c–7, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1158, as added Oct. 30, 1972, Pub. L. 92–603, title II, §249F(b), 86 Stat. 1437; amended Oct. 25, 1977, Pub. L. 95–142, §§5(d)(1), 22(a), 91 Stat. 1185, 1208; Dec. 5, 1980, Pub. L. 96–499, title IX, §§902(a)(3), 931(h), 94 Stat. 2613, 2634; Aug. 13, 1981, Pub. L. 97–35, title XXI, §§2113(e), 2121(g), 95 Stat. 794, 796, related to review approval as a condition of payment of claims, prior to the general revision of this part by Pub. L. 97–248.
2011—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 112–40 substituted “quality improvement” for “utilization and quality control peer review” in text.
Amendment by Pub. L. 112–40 applicable to contracts entered into or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2012, see section 261(e) of Pub. L. 112–40, set out as a note under section 1320c of this title.
Expenses incurred in the administration of the contracts described in section 1395y(g) of this title shall be payable from—
(1) funds in the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund; and
(2) funds in the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund,
in such amounts from each of such Trust Funds as the Secretary shall deem to be fair and equitable after taking into consideration the expenses attributable to the administration of this part with respect to each of such programs. The Secretary shall make such transfers of moneys between such Trust Funds as may be appropriate to settle accounts between them in cases where expenses properly payable from one such Trust Fund have been paid from the other such Trust Fund.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1159, as added Pub. L. 97–248, title I, §143, Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 390.)
A prior section 1320c–8, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1159, as added Oct. 30, 1972, Pub. L. 92–603, title II, §249F(b), 86 Stat. 1437; amended Aug. 13, 1981, Pub. L. 97–35, title XXI, §2113(f), 95 Stat. 795, related to reconsideration hearing and review, prior to the general revision of this part by Pub. L. 97–248.
An organization, in carrying out its functions under a contract entered into under this part, shall not be a Federal agency for purposes of the provisions of section 552 of title 5 (commonly referred to as the Freedom of Information Act). Any data or information acquired by any such organization in the exercise of its duties and functions shall be held in confidence and shall not be disclosed to any person except—
(1) to the extent that may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this part,
(2) in such cases and under such circumstances as the Secretary shall by regulations provide to assure adequate protection of the rights and interests of patients, health care practitioners, or providers of health care, or
(3) in accordance with subsection (b) of this section.
An organization having a contract with the Secretary under this part shall provide in accordance with procedures and safeguards established by the Secretary, data and information—
(1) which may identify specific providers or practitioners as may be necessary—
(A) to assist Federal and State agencies recognized by the Secretary as having responsibility for identifying and investigating cases or patterns of fraud or abuse, which data and information shall be provided by the quality improvement organization to any such agency at the request of such agency relating to a specific case or pattern;
(B) to assist appropriate Federal and State agencies recognized by the Secretary as having responsibility for identifying cases or patterns involving risks to the public health, which data and information shall be provided by the quality improvement organization to any such agency—
(i) at the discretion of the quality improvement organization, at the request of such agency relating to a specific case or pattern with respect to which such agency has made a finding, or has a reasonable belief, that there may be a substantial risk to the public health, or
(ii) upon a finding by, or the reasonable belief of, the quality improvement organization that there may be a substantial risk to the public health;
(C) to assist appropriate State agencies recognized by the Secretary as having responsibility for licensing or certification of providers or practitioners or to assist national accreditation bodies acting pursuant to section 1395bb of this title in accrediting providers for purposes of meeting the conditions described in subchapter XVIII of this chapter, which data and information shall be provided by the quality improvement organization to any such agency or body at the request of such agency or body relating to a specific case or to a possible pattern of substandard care, but only to the extent that such data and information are required by the agency or body to carry out its respective function which is within the jurisdiction of the agency or body under State law or under section 1395bb of this title; and
(D) to provide notice in accordance with section 1320c–3(a)(9)(B) of this title;
(2) to assist the Secretary, and such Federal and State agencies recognized by the Secretary as having health planning or related responsibilities under Federal or State law (including health systems agencies and State health planning and development agencies), in carrying out appropriate health care planning and related activities, which data and information shall be provided in such format and manner as may be prescribed by the Secretary or agreed upon by the responsible Federal and State agencies and such organization, and shall be in the form of aggregate statistical data (without explicitly identifying any individual) on a geographic, institutional, or other basis reflecting the volume and frequency of services furnished, as well as the demographic characteristics of the population subject to review by such organization.
The penalty provided in subsection (c) of this section shall not apply to the disclosure of any information received under this subsection, except that such penalty shall apply to the disclosure (by the agency receiving such information) of any such information described in paragraph (1) unless such disclosure is made in a judicial, administrative, or other formal legal proceeding resulting from an investigation conducted by the agency receiving the information. An organization may require payment of a reasonable fee for providing information under this subsection in response to a request for such information.
It shall be unlawful for any person to disclose any such information described in subsection (a) of this section other than for the purposes provided in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, and any person violating the provisions of this section shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than $1,000, and imprisoned for not more than 6 months, or both, and shall be required to pay the costs of prosecution.
No patient record in the possession of an organization having a contract with the Secretary under this part shall be subject to subpoena or discovery proceedings in a civil action. No document or other information produced by such an organization in connection with its deliberations in making determinations under section 1320c–3(a)(1)(B) or 1320c–5(a)(2) of this title shall be subject to subpoena or discovery in any administrative or civil proceeding; except that such an organization shall provide, upon request of a practitioner or other person adversely affected by such a determination, a summary of the organization's findings and conclusions in making the determination.
For purposes of this section and section 1320c–6 of this title, the term “organization with a contract with the Secretary under this part” includes an entity with a contract with the Secretary under section 1320c–3(a)(4)(C) 1 of this title.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1160, as added Pub. L. 97–248, title I, §143, Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 391; amended Pub. L. 99–509, title IX, §9353(d)(1), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 2047; Pub. L. 100–203, title IV, §4039(h)(6), Dec. 22, 1987, as added Pub. L. 100–360, title IV, §411(e)(3), July 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 776; Pub. L. 101–508, title IV, §4205(d)(1)(B), (e)(1), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–113, 1388–114; Pub. L. 103–432, title I, §156(b)(2)(B), (4), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4441; Pub. L. 112–40, title II, §261(a)(2)(C), Oct. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 423.)
Section 1320c–3(a)(4)(C) of this title, referred to in subsec. (e), was repealed by Pub. L. 112–40, title II, §261(c)(2)(A)(ii), Oct. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 425.
A prior section 1320c–9, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1160, as added Oct. 30, 1972, Pub. L. 92–603, title II, §249F(b), 86 Stat. 1438; amended Oct. 25, 1977, Pub. L. 95–142, §5(e), (o)(3), 91 Stat. 1189, 1191; Aug. 13, 1981, Pub. L. 97–35, title XXI, §2113(g), 95 Stat. 795, enumerated obligations of health care practitioners and providers of health care services, prior to the general revision of this part by Pub. L. 97–248.
2011—Subsec. (b)(1)(A) to (C). Pub. L. 112–40 substituted “quality improvement” for “peer review” wherever appearing.
1994—Subsec. (b)(1)(D). Pub. L. 103–432, §156(b)(2)(B), amended subpar. (D) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (D) read as follows: “to provide notice to the State medical board in accordance with section 1320c–3(a)(9)(B) of this title when the organization submits a report and recommendations to the Secretary under section 1320c–5(b)(1) of this title with respect to a physician whom the board is responsible for licensing;”.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 103–432, §156(b)(4), which directed amendment of subsec. (d) by substituting “subpoena” for “subpena”, was executed by making the substitution in two places to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
1990—Subsec. (b)(1)(D). Pub. L. 101–508, §4205(d)(1)(B), added subpar. (D).
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 101–508, §4205(e)(1), inserted at end “No document or other information produced by such an organization in connection with its deliberations in making determinations under section 1320c–3(a)(1)(B) or 1320c–5(a)(2) of this title shall be subject to subpena or discovery in any administrative or civil proceeding; except that such an organization shall provide, upon request of a practitioner or other person adversely affected by such a determination, a summary of the organization's findings and conclusions in making the determination.”
1988—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 100–360 added Pub. L. 100–203, §4039(h)(6), see 1987 Amendment note below.
1987—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 100–203, §4039(h)(6), as added by Pub. L. 100–360, added subsec. (e).
1986—Subsec. (b)(1)(C). Pub. L. 99–509 amended subpar. (C) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (C) read as follows: “to assist appropriate State agencies recognized by the Secretary as having responsibility for licensing or certification of providers or practitioners, which data and information shall be provided by the peer review organization to any such agency at the request of such agency relating to a specific case, but only to the extent that such data and information is required by the agency in carrying out a function which is within the jurisdiction of such agency under State law; and”.
Amendment by Pub. L. 112–40 applicable to contracts entered into or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2012, see section 261(e) of Pub. L. 112–40, set out as a note under section 1320c of this title.
Section 156(b)(6) of Pub. L. 103–432 provided that:
“(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the amendments made by this subsection [amending this section, sections 1320c–3 and 1320c–5 of this title, and provisions set out as notes under this section and section 1320c–5 of this title] shall take effect as if included in the enactment of OBRA–1990 [Pub. L. 101–508].
“(B) The amendments made by paragraph (2) [amending this section and section 1320c–3 of this title] (relating to the requirement on reporting of information to State boards) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 31, 1994].”
Amendment by section 4205(d)(1)(B) of Pub. L. 101–508 applicable to notices of proposed sanctions issued more than 60 days after Nov. 5, 1990, see section 4205(d)(1)(C) of Pub. L. 101–508, set out as a note under section 1320c–3 of this title.
Section 4205(e)(2) of Pub. L. 101–508, as amended by Pub. L. 103–432, title I, §156(b)(5), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4441, provided that: “The amendment made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall apply to proceedings as of the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 5, 1990].”
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of Pub. L. 100–360, amendment by Pub. L. 100–360, as it relates to a provision in the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987, Pub. L. 100–203, effective as if included in the enactment of that provision in Pub. L. 100–203, see section 411(a) of Pub. L. 100–360, set out as a Reference to OBRA; Effective Date note under section 106 of Title 1, General Provisions.
Section 9353(d)(2) of Pub. L. 99–509 provided that: “The amendments made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall apply to requests for data and information made on and after the end of the 6-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 21, 1986].”
Pub. L. 96–499, title IX, §928, Dec. 5, 1980, 94 Stat. 2630, provided that: “No Professional Standards Review Organization designated (conditionally or otherwise) under part B of title XI of the Social Security Act [this part] shall be required to make available any records pursuant to a request made under section 552 of title 5, United States Code, until the later of (1) one year after the date of entry of a final court order requiring that such records be made available, or (2) the last date of the Congress during which the court order was entered.”
1 See References in Text note below.
The Secretary shall submit to the Congress not later than April 1 of each year, a full and complete report on the administration, impact, and cost of the program under this part during the preceding fiscal year, including data and information on—
(1) the number, status, and service areas of all quality improvement organizations participating in the program;
(2) the number of health care institutions and practitioners whose services are subject to review by such organizations, and the number of beneficiaries and recipients who received services subject to such review during such year;
(3) the various methods of reimbursement utilized in contracts under this part, and the relative efficiency of each such method of reimbursement;
(4) the imposition of penalties and sanctions under this title for violations of law and for failure to comply with the obligations imposed by this part;
(5) the total costs incurred under subchapters XVIII and XIX of this chapter in the implementation and operation of all procedures required by such subchapters for the review of services to determine their medical necessity, appropriateness of use, and quality; and
(6) descriptions of the criteria upon which decisions are made, and the selection and relative weights of such criteria.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1161, as added Pub. L. 97–248, title I, §143, Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 392; amended Pub. L. 112–40, title II, §261(a)(2)(C), Oct. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 423.)
A prior section 1320c–10, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1161, as added Oct. 30, 1972, Pub. L. 92–603, title II, §249F(b), 86 Stat. 1440, related to giving of notice to a practitioner or provider by a Professional Standards Review Organization immediately after taking certain action or making certain determinations, prior to the general revision of this part by Pub. L. 97–248.
2011—Par. (1). Pub. L. 112–40 substituted “quality improvement” for “utilization and quality control peer review”.
Amendment by Pub. L. 112–40 applicable to contracts entered into or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2012, see section 261(e) of Pub. L. 112–40, set out as a note under section 1320c of this title.
Pub. L. 97–35, title XXI, §2112(a)(2)(D), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 793, provided that the Secretary of Health and Human Services, not later than September 30, 1982, was to report to the Congress on his assessment (under former section 1320c–3(g) of this title) of the relative performance of Professional Standards Review Organizations and on any determinations made not to renew agreements with such Organizations on the basis of such performance.
The provisions of this part shall not apply with respect to a religious nonmedical health care institution (as defined in section 1395x(ss)(1) of this title).
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1162, as added Pub. L. 97–248, title I, §143, Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 393; amended Pub. L. 105–33, title IV, §4454(c)(2), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 431.)
A prior section 1320c–11, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1162, as added Oct. 30, 1972, Pub. L. 92–603, title II, §249F(b), 86 Stat. 1440; amended Dec. 5, 1980, Pub. L. 96–499, title IX, §§922(a), 927(b), 94 Stat. 2628, 2630; Aug. 13, 1981, 97–35, title XXI, §2113(h), 95 Stat. 795, related to Statewide Professional Standards Review Councils, prior to the general revision of this part by Pub. L. 97–248.
1997—Pub. L. 105–33 substituted “Exemptions for religious nonmedical health care institutions” for “Exemptions of Christian Science sanatoriums” in section catchline and substituted “religious nonmedical health care institution (as defined in section 1395x(ss)(1) of this title)” for “Christian Science sanatorium operated, or listed and certified, by the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston, Massachusetts” in text.
Amendment by Pub. L. 105–33 effective Aug. 5, 1997, and applicable to items and services furnished on or after such date, with provision that Secretary of Health and Human Services issue regulations to carry out such amendment by not later than July 1, 1998, see section 4454(d) of Pub. L. 105–33, set out as an Effective Date note under section 1395i–5 of this title.
For purposes of applying this part to American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, individuals licensed to practice medicine in those places shall be considered to be physicians and doctors of medicine.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1163, as added Pub. L. 97–248, title I, §143, Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 393.)
A prior section 1320c–12, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1163, as added Oct. 30, 1972, Pub. L. 92–603, title II, §249F(b), 86 Stat. 1441; amended Oct. 25, 1977, Pub. L. 95–142, §5(f), (g), 91 Stat. 1189; Dec. 5, 1980, Pub. L. 96–499, title IX, §923(a)–(d), 94 Stat. 2628, related to establishment and membership of the National Professional Standards Review Council, prior to the general revision of this part by Pub. L. 97–248.
For termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, see note set out preceding section 1681 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.
Section, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1164, as added Apr. 7, 1986, Pub. L. 99–272, title IX, §9401(b), 100 Stat. 196; amended Oct. 22, 1986, Pub. L. 99–514, title XVIII, §1895(b)(17), 100 Stat. 2934; Dec. 19, 1989, Pub. L. 101–239, title VI, §6003(g)(3)(D)(v), 103 Stat. 2153, related to 100 percent peer review for certain surgical procedures.
Repeal applicable to services provided on or after Oct. 31, 1994, see section 156(a)(3) of Pub. L. 103–432, set out as an Effective Date of 1994 Amendment note under section 1320c–3 of this title.
Sections 1320c–14 to 1320c–19 were omitted in the general revision of this part by Pub. L. 97–248, title I, §143, Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 382.
Section 1320c–14, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1165, as added Oct. 30, 1972, Pub. L. 92–603, title II, §249F(b), 86 Stat. 1443, related to correlation of functions between Professional Standards Review Organizations and administrative instrumentalities.
Section 1320c–15, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1166, as added Oct. 30, 1972, Pub. L. 92–603, title II, §249F(b), 86 Stat. 1443; amended Oct. 25, 1977, Pub. L. 95–142, §5(h), 91 Stat. 1189, related to general prohibition against disclosure of data or information and exceptions to such prohibition. See section 1320c–9 of this title.
Section 1320c–16, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1167, as added Oct. 30, 1972, Pub. L. 92–603, title II, §249F(b), 86 Stat. 1443; amended Oct. 25, 1977, Pub. L. 95–142, §5(i), (n), 91 Stat. 1190, 1191, related to limitation of liability of persons providing information to Professional Standards Review Organizations and Statewide Professional Standards Review Councils. See section 1320c–6 of this title.
Section 1320c–17, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1168, as added Oct. 30, 1972, Pub. L. 92–603, title II, §249F(b), 86 Stat. 1444; amended Dec. 31, 1975, Pub. L. 94–182, title I, §112(c), 89 Stat. 1055; Oct. 25, 1977, Pub. L. 95–142, §5(j), 91 Stat. 1190; Aug. 13, 1981, Pub. L. 97–35, title XXI, §2113(j), 95 Stat. 795, related to authorization for use of funds for administering professional review program, transfer of moneys between funds, and payments for Professional Standards Review Organizations. See section 1320c–8 of this title.
Section 1320c–18, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1169, as added Oct. 30, 1972, Pub. L. 92–603, title II, §249F(b), 86 Stat. 1444, related to technical assistance given to organizations desiring to be designated as Professional Standards Review Organizations.
Section 1320c–19, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1170, as added Oct. 30, 1972, Pub. L. 92–603, title II, §249F(b), 86 Stat. 1445, related to exemptions of Christian Science sanatoriums. See section 1320c–11 of this title.
Section, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1171, as added Oct. 25, 1977, Pub. L. 95–142, §5(d)(2)(D), 91 Stat. 1186, set forth provisions respecting Federal-State relations regarding memorandum of understanding between Organization and State agency.
Repeal applicable to agreements with Professional Standards Review Organizations entered into on or after Oct. 1, 1981, see section 2113(o) of Pub. L. 97–35, set out as an Effective Date of 1981 Amendment note under section 1396a of this title.
Sections 1320c–21 and 1320c–22 were omitted in the general revision of this part by Pub. L. 97–248, title I, §143, Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 382.
Section 1320c–21, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1172, as added Oct. 25, 1977, Pub. L. 95–142, §5(k), 91 Stat. 1190; amended Aug. 13, 1981, Pub. L. 97–35, title XXI, §§2113(l), 2193(c)(7), 95 Stat. 795, 827, related to annual reports submitted to Congress by Secretary. See section 1320c–10 of this title.
Section 1320c–22, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, §1173, as added Oct. 25, 1977, Pub. L. 95–142, §5(l)(1), 91 Stat. 1191; amended Dec. 5, 1980, Pub. L. 96–499, title IX, §923(e), 94 Stat. 2628, provided that medical officers in American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands were includable in program under former Part B. See section 1320c–12 of this title.