(ii) the mobility of physicians, includ-
ing specialists, over the last decade.
(C) The appropriateness of establishing a
floor of 1.0 for the work geographic index.
(2) REPORT.—By not later than September 1,
2003, the Comptroller General shall submit to Con-
gress and to the Secretary a report on the evaluation
conducted under paragraph (1).
Subtitle B—Other Services
SEC. 311. COMPETITIVE ACQUISITION OF CERTAIN ITEMS
AND SERVICES.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1847 (42 U.S.C. 1395w–
3) is amended to read as follows:
‘‘COMPETITIVE ACQUISITION OF CERTAIN ITEMS AND
SERVICES
‘‘SEC. 1847. (a) ESTABLISHMENT OF COMPETITIVE
ACQUISITION PROGRAMS.—
‘‘(1) IMPLEMENTATION OF PROGRAMS.—
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall
establish and implement programs under which
competitive acquisition areas are established
throughout the United States for contract
award purposes for the furnishing under this
part of competitively priced items and services
(described in paragraph (2)) for which payment
is made under this part. Such areas may differ
for different items and services.
‘‘(B) PHASED-IN IMPLEMENTATION.—The
programs shall be phased-in among competitive
acquisition areas over a period of not longer
than 3 years in a manner so that the competi-
tion under the programs occurs in—
‘‘(i) at least 1⁄3 of such areas in 2004;
and
‘‘(ii) at least 2⁄3 of such areas in
2005.
‘‘(C) WAIVER OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS.—
In carrying out the programs, the Secretary
may waive such provisions of the Federal Ac-
quisition Regulation as are necessary for the ef-
ficient implementation of this section, other
than provisions relating to confidentiality of in-
formation and such other provisions as the Sec-
retary determines appropriate.
‘‘(2) ITEMS AND SERVICES DESCRIBED.—The
items and services referred to in paragraph (1) are
the following:
‘‘(A) DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND
INHALATION
DRUGS
USED
IN
CONNECTION
WITH
DURABLE
MEDICAL
EQUIPMENT.—Cov-
ered items (as defined in section 1834(a)(13))
for which payment is otherwise made under sec-
tion 1834(a), other than items used in infusion,
and inhalation drugs used in conjunction with
durable medical equipment.
‘‘(B) 
OFF-THE-SHELF
ORTHOTICS.—
Orthotics (described in section 1861(s)(9)) for
which payment is otherwise made under section
1834(h) which require minimal self-adjustment
for appropriate use and does not require exper-
tise in trimming, bending, molding, assembling,
or customizing to fit to the patient.
‘‘(3) EXEMPTION AUTHORITY.—In carrying out
the programs under this section, the Secretary may
exempt—
‘‘(A) areas that are not competitive due to
low population density; and
‘‘(B) items and services for which the ap-
plication of competitive acquisition is not likely
to result in significant savings.
‘‘(b) PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall con-
duct a competition among entities supplying items
and services described in subsection (a)(2) for each
competitive acquisition area in which the program is
implemented under subsection (a) with respect to
such items and services.
‘‘(2) CONDITIONS FOR AWARDING CONTRACT.—
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary may
not award a contract to any entity under the
competition conducted in an competitive acqui-
sition area pursuant to paragraph (1) to fur-
nish such items or services unless the Secretary
finds all of the following:
‘‘(i) The entity meets quality and fi-
nancial standards specified by the Sec-
retary or developed by accreditation enti-
ties or organizations recognized by the Sec-
retary.
‘‘(ii) The total amounts to be paid
under the contract (including costs associ-
ated with the administration of the con-
tract) are expected to be less than the total
amounts that would otherwise be paid.
‘‘(iii) Beneficiary access to a choice of
multiple suppliers in the area is main-
tained.
‘‘(iv) Beneficiary liability is limited to
the applicable percentage of contract
award price.
‘‘(B) QUALITY STANDARDS.—The quality
standards specified under subparagraph (A)(i)
shall not be less than the quality standards that
would otherwise apply if this section did not
apply and shall include consumer services
standards. The Secretary shall consult with an
expert outside advisory panel composed of an
appropriate selection of representatives of phy-
sicians, practitioners, and suppliers to review
(and advise the Secretary concerning) such
quality standards.
‘‘(3) CONTENTS OF CONTRACT.—
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—A contract entered
into with an entity under the competition con-
ducted pursuant to paragraph (1) is subject to
terms and conditions that the Secretary may
specify.
‘‘(B) TERM
OF
CONTRACTS.—The Sec-
retary shall rebid contracts under this section
not less often than once every 3 years.
‘‘(4) LIMIT ON NUMBER OF CONTRACTORS.—
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary may
limit the number of contractors in a competitive
acquisition area to the number needed to meet
projected demand for items and services covered
under the contracts. In awarding contracts, the
Secretary shall take into account the ability of
bidding entities to furnish items or services in
sufficient quantities to meet the anticipated
needs of beneficiaries for such items or services
in the geographic area covered under the con-
tract on a timely basis.
‘‘(B) MULTIPLE WINNERS.—The Secretary
shall award contracts to more than one entity
submitting a bid in each area for an item or
service.
‘‘(5) PARTICIPATING CONTRACTORS.—Payment
shall not be made for items and services described
in subsection (a)(2) furnished by a contractor and
for which competition is conducted under this sec-
tion unless—
‘‘(A) the contractor has submitted a bid
for such items and services under this section;
and
‘‘(B) the Secretary has awarded a contract
to the contractor for such items and services
under this section.
‘‘(6) AUTHORITY
TO
CONTRACT
FOR
EDU-
CATION, OUTREACH
AND
COMPLAINT
SERVICES.—
The Secretary may enter into a contract with an ap-
propriate entity to address complaints from bene-
ficiaries who receive items and services from an enti-
ty with a contract under this section and to conduct
appropriate education of and outreach to such bene-
ficiaries with respect to the program.
‘‘(c) ANNUAL REPORTS.—The Secretary shall submit
to Congress an annual management report on the pro-
grams under this section. Each such report shall include
information on savings, reductions in cost-sharing, access
to items and services, and beneficiary satisfaction.
‘‘(d) DEMONSTRATION PROJECT FOR CLINICAL LAB-
ORATORY SERVICES.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall con-
duct a demonstration project on the application of
competitive acquisition under this section to clinical
diagnostic laboratory tests—
‘‘(A) for which payment is otherwise made
under section 1833(h) or 1834(d)(1) (relating
to colorectal cancer screening tests); and
‘‘(B) which are furnished without a face-
to-face encounter between the individual and
the hospital or physician ordering the tests.
‘‘(2) TERMS
AND
CONDITIONS.—Such project
shall be under the same conditions as are applicable
to items and services described in subsection (a)(2).
‘‘(3) REPORT.—The Secretary shall submit to
Congress—
‘‘(A) an initial report on the project not
later than December 31, 2004; and
‘‘(B) such progress and final reports on
the project after such date as the Secretary de-
termines appropriate.’’.
(b) CONTINUATION OF CERTAIN DEMONSTRATION
PROJECTS.—Notwithstanding the amendment made by
subsection (a), with respect to demonstration projects im-
plemented by the Secretary under section 1847 of the So-
cial Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–3) (relating to the es-
tablishment of competitive acquisition areas) that was in
effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this
Act, each such demonstration project may continue under
the same terms and conditions applicable under that sec-
tion as in effect on that date.
(c) REPORT
ON DIFFERENCES
IN PAYMENT
FOR
LABORATORY SERVICES.—Not later than 18 months after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller
General of the United States shall submit to Congress a
report that analyzes differences in reimbursement between
public and private payors for clinical diagnostic laboratory
services.
SEC. 312. PAYMENT FOR AMBULANCE SERVICES.
(a) PHASE-IN PROVIDING FLOOR USING BLEND OF
FEE SCHEDULE AND REGIONAL FEE SCHEDULES.—Sec-
tion 1834(l) (42 U.S.C. 1395m(l)) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (2)(E), by inserting ‘‘con-
sistent with paragraph (10)’’ after ‘‘in an efficient
and fair manner’’;
(2) by redesignating the paragraph (8) added
by section 221(a) of BIPA as paragraph (9); and
(3) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
‘‘(10) PHASE-IN
PROVIDING
FLOOR
USING
BLEND
OF
FEE
SCHEDULE
AND
REGIONAL
FEE
SCHEDULES.—In carrying out the phase-in under
paragraph (2)(E) for each level of service furnished
in a year before January 1, 2007, the portion of the
payment amount that is based on the fee schedule
shall not be less than the following blended rate of
the fee schedule under paragraph (1) and of a re-
gional fee schedule for the region involved:
‘‘(A) For 2003, the blended rate shall be
based 20 percent on the fee schedule under
paragraph (1) and 80 percent on the regional
fee schedule.
‘‘(B) For 2004, the blended rate shall be
based 40 percent on the fee schedule under
paragraph (1) and 60 percent on the regional
fee schedule.
‘‘(C) For 2005, the blended rate shall be
based 60 percent on the fee schedule under
paragraph (1) and 40 percent on the regional
fee schedule.
‘‘(D) For 2006, the blended rate shall be
based 80 percent on the fee schedule under
paragraph (1) and 20 percent on the regional
fee schedule.
For purposes of this paragraph, the Secretary shall
establish a regional fee schedule for each of the 9
Census divisions using the methodology (used in es-
tablishing the fee schedule under paragraph (1)) to
calculate a regional conversion factor and a regional
mileage payment rate and using the same payment
adjustments and the same relative value units as
used in the fee schedule under such paragraph.’’.
(b) ADJUSTMENT IN PAYMENT FOR CERTAIN LONG
TRIPS.—Section 1834(l), as amended by subsection (a),
is further amended by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
‘‘(11) ADJUSTMENT IN PAYMENT FOR CERTAIN
LONG
TRIPS.—In the case of ground ambulance
services furnished on or after January 1, 2003, and
before January 1, 2008, regardless of where the
transportation originates, the fee schedule estab-
lished under this subsection shall provide that, with
respect to the payment rate for mileage for a trip
above 50 miles the per mile rate otherwise estab-
lished shall be increased by 1⁄4 of the payment per
mile otherwise applicable to such miles.’’.
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by
this section shall apply to ambulance services furnished
on or after January 1, 2003.
SEC. 313. 2-YEAR EXTENSION OF MORATORIUM ON THER-
APY CAPS; PROVISIONS RELATING TO RE-
PORTS.
(a) 2-YEAR EXTENSION OF MORATORIUM ON THER-
APY CAPS.—Section 1833(g)(4) (42 U.S.C. 1395l(g)(4))
is amended by striking ‘‘and 2002’’ and inserting ‘‘2002,
2003, and 2004’’.
(b) PROMPT SUBMISSION OF OVERDUE REPORTS ON
PAYMENT AND UTILIZATION OF OUTPATIENT THERAPY
SERVICES.—Not later than December 31, 2002, the Sec-
retary shall submit to Congress the reports required under
section 4541(d)(2) of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997
(relating to alternatives to a single annual dollar cap on
outpatient therapy) and under section 221(d) of the Medi-
care, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement
Act of 1999 (relating to utilization patterns for outpatient
therapy).
(c) IDENTIFICATION OF CONDITIONS AND DISEASES
JUSTIFYING WAIVER OF THERAPY CAP.—
(1) STUDY.—The Secretary shall request the
Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of
Sciences to identify conditions or diseases that
should justify conducting an assessment of the need
to waive the therapy caps under section 1833(g)(4)
of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l(g)(4)).
(2) REPORTS TO CONGRESS.—Not later than
September 1, 2003, the Secretary shall submit to
Congress a preliminary report on the conditions and
diseases identified under paragraph (1) and not later
than December 31, 2003, a final report on the con-
ditions and diseases so identified.
(d) GAO STUDY OF PATIENT ACCESS TO PHYSICAL
THERAPIST SERVICES.—
(1) STUDY.—The Comptroller General of the
United States shall conduct a study on access to
physical therapist services in States authorizing such
services without a physician referral and in States
that require such a physician referral. The study
shall—
(A) examine the use of and referral pat-
terns for physical therapist services for patients
age 50 and older in States that authorize such
services without a physician referral and in
States that require such a physician referral;
(B) examine the use of and referral pat-
terns for physical therapist services for patients
who are medicare beneficiaries;
(C) examine the potential effect of prohib-
iting a physician from referring patients to
physical therapy services owned by the physi-
cian and provided in the physician’s office;
(D) examine the delivery of physical thera-
pists’ services within the facilities of Depart-
ment of Defense; and
(E) analyze the potential impact on medi-
care beneficiaries and on expenditures under
the medicare program of eliminating the need
for a physician referral and physician certifi-
cation for physical therapist services under the
medicare program.
(2) REPORT.—The Comptroller General shall
submit to Congress a report on the study conducted
under paragraph (1) by not later than 1 year after
the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 314. COVERAGE OF AN INITIAL PREVENTIVE PHYS-
ICAL EXAMINATION.
(a) COVERAGE.—Section 1861(s)(2) (42 U.S.C.
1395x(s)(2)) is amended—
(1) in subparagraph (U), by striking ‘‘and’’ at
the end;
(2) in subparagraph (V), by inserting ‘‘and’’ at
the end; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraph:
‘‘(W) an initial preventive physical examination
(as defined in subsection (ww));’’.
(b) SERVICES DESCRIBED.—Section 1861 (42 U.S.C.
1395x) is amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
‘‘Initial Preventive Physical Examination
‘‘(ww) The term ‘initial preventive physical examina-
tion’ means physicians’ services consisting of a physical
examination with the goal of health promotion and disease
detection and includes items and services (excluding clin-
ical laboratory tests), as determined by the Secretary, con-
sistent with the recommendations of the United States
Preventive Services Task Force.’’.
(c) WAIVER OF DEDUCTIBLE AND COINSURANCE.—
(1) DEDUCTIBLE.—The first sentence of sec-
tion 1833(b) (42 U.S.C. 1395l(b)) is amended—
(A) by striking ‘‘and’’ before ‘‘(6)’’, and
(B) by inserting before the period at the
end the following: ‘‘, and (7) such deductible
shall not apply with respect to an initial preven-
tive physical examination (as defined in section
1861(ww))’’.
(2) COINSURANCE.—Section 1833(a)(1) (42
U.S.C. 1395l(a)(1)) is amended—
(A) in clause (N), by inserting ‘‘(or 100
percent in the case of an initial preventive phys-
ical 
examination, 
as 
defined 
in 
section
1861(ww))’’ after ‘‘80 percent’’; and
(B) in clause (O), by inserting ‘‘(or 100
percent in the case of an initial preventive phys-
ical 
examination, 
as 
defined 
in 
section
1861(ww))’’ after ‘‘80 percent’’.
(d) PAYMENT AS PHYSICIANS’ SERVICES.—Section
1848(j)(3) (42 U.S.C. 1395w–4(j)(3)) is amended by in-
serting ‘‘(2)(W),’’ after ‘‘(2)(S),’’.
(e) OTHER CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Section
1862(a) (42 U.S.C. 1395y(a)) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (1)—
(A) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of sub-
paragraph (H);
(B) by striking the semicolon at the end of
subparagraph (I) and inserting ‘‘, and’’; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:
‘‘(J) in the case of an initial preventive physical
examination, which is performed not later than 6
months after the date the individual’s first coverage
period begins under part B;’’; and
(2) in paragraph (7), by striking ‘‘or (H)’’ and
inserting ‘‘(H), or (J)’’.
(f) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by
this section shall apply to services furnished on or after
January 1, 2004, but only for individuals whose coverage
period begins on or after such date.
SEC. 315. RENAL DIALYSIS SERVICES.
(a) REPORT ON DIFFERENCES IN COSTS IN DIF-
FERENT SETTINGS.—Not later than 1 year after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of
the United States shall submit to Congress a report
containing—
(1) an analysis of the differences in costs of
providing renal dialysis services under the medicare
program in home settings and in facility settings;
(2) an assessment of the percentage of overhead
costs in home settings and in facility settings; and
(3) an evaluation of whether the charges for
home dialysis supplies and equipment are reasonable
and necessary.
(b) RESTORING COMPOSITE RATE EXCEPTIONS FOR
PEDIATRIC FACILITIES.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 422(a)(2) of BIPA
is amended—
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘and
(C)’’ and inserting ‘‘, (C), and (D)’’;
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘In
the case’’ and inserting ‘‘Subject to subpara-
graph (D), in the case’’; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:
‘‘(D) INAPPLICABILITY TO PEDIATRIC FA-
CILITIES.—Subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall
not apply, as of October 1, 2002, to pediatric
facilities that do not have an exception rate de-
scribed in subparagraph (C) in effect on such
date. For purposes of this subparagraph, the
term ‘pediatric facility’ means a renal facility at
least 50 percent of whose patients are individ-
uals under 18 years of age.’’.
(2) CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—The fourth
sentence 
of 
section 
1881(b)(7) 
(42 
U.S.C.
1395rr(b)(7)) is amended by striking ‘‘The Sec-
retary’’ and inserting ‘‘Subject to section 422(a)(2)
of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Im-
provement and Protection Act of 2000, the Sec-
retary’’.
(c) INCREASE IN RENAL DIALYSIS COMPOSITE RATE
FOR SERVICES FURNISHED IN 2004.—Notwithstanding
any other provision of law, with respect to payment under
part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act for renal
dialysis services furnished in 2004, the composite payment
rate otherwise established under section 1881(b)(7) of
such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395rr(b)(7)) shall be increased by
1.2 percent.
SEC. 316. IMPROVED PAYMENT FOR CERTAIN MAMMOG-
RAPHY SERVICES.
(a) EXCLUSION FROM OPD FEE SCHEDULE.—Sec-
tion 1833(t)(1)(B)(iv) (42 U.S.C. 1395l(t)(1)(B)(iv)) is
amended by inserting before the period at the end the fol-
lowing: ‘‘and does not include screening mammography (as
defined in section 1861(jj)) and unilateral and bilateral
diagnostic mammography’’.
(b) ADJUSTMENT TO TECHNICAL COMPONENT.—For
diagnostic mammography performed on or after January
1, 2004, for which payment is made under the physician
fee schedule under section 1848 of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 1395w–4), the Secretary, based on the most
recent cost data available, shall provide for an appropriate
adjustment in the payment amount for the technical com-
ponent of the diagnostic mammography.
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by
subsection (a) shall apply to mammography performed on
or after January 1, 2004.
SEC. 317. WAIVER OF PART B LATE ENROLLMENT PENALTY
FOR CERTAIN MILITARY RETIREES; SPECIAL
ENROLLMENT PERIOD.
(a) WAIVER OF PENALTY.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 1839(b) (42 U.S.C.
1395r(b)) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new sentence: ‘‘No increase in the premium
shall be effected for a month in the case of an indi-
vidual who is 65 years of age or older, who enrolls
under this part during 2001, 2002, or 2003, and
who demonstrates to the Secretary before December
31, 2003, that the individual is a covered beneficiary
(as defined in section 1072(5) of title 10, United
States Code). The Secretary of Health and Human
Services shall consult with the Secretary of Defense
in identifying individuals described in the previous
sentence.’’.
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made
by paragraph (1) shall apply to premiums for
months beginning with January 2003. The Secretary
of Health and Human Services shall establish a
method for providing rebates of premium penalties
paid for months on or after January 2003 for which
a penalty does not apply under such amendment but
for which a penalty was previously collected.
(b) MEDICARE PART B SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PE-
RIOD.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—In the case of any individual
who, as of the date of the enactment of this Act, is
65 years of age or older, is eligible to enroll but is
not enrolled under part B of title XVIII of the So-
cial Security Act, and is a covered beneficiary (as
defined in section 1072(5) of title 10, United States
Code), the Secretary of Health and Human Services
shall provide for a special enrollment period during
which the individual may enroll under such part.
Such period shall begin as soon as possible after the
date of the enactment of this Act and shall end on
December 31, 2003.
(2) COVERAGE PERIOD.—In the case of an indi-
vidual who enrolls during the special enrollment pe-
riod provided under paragraph (1), the coverage pe-
riod under part B of title XVIII of the Social Secu-
rity Act shall begin on the first day of the month
following the month in which the individual enrolls.
SEC. 318. COVERAGE OF CHOLESTEROL AND BLOOD LIPID
SCREENING.
(a) COVERAGE.—Section 1861(s)(2) (42 U.S.C.
1395x(s)(2)), as amended by section 314(a), is amended—
(1) in subparagraph (V), by striking ‘‘and’’ at
the end;
(2) in subparagraph (W), by inserting ‘‘and’’ at
the end; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraph:
‘‘(X) cholesterol and other blood lipid
screening tests (as defined in subsection
(XX));’’.
(b) SERVICES DESCRIBED.—Section 1861 (42 U.S.C.
1395x), as amended by section 314(b), is amended by add-
ing at the end the following new subsection:
‘‘Cholesterol and Other Blood Lipid Screening Test
‘‘(xx)(1) The term ‘cholesterol and other blood lipid
screening test’ means diagnostic testing of cholesterol and
other lipid levels of the blood for the purpose of early de-
tection of abnormal cholesterol and other lipid levels.
‘‘(2) The Secretary shall establish standards, in con-
sultation with appropriate organizations, regarding the
frequency and type of cholesterol and other blood lipid
screening tests, except that such frequency may not be
more often than once every 2 years.’’.
(c) FREQUENCY.—Section 1862(a)(1) (42 U.S.C.
1395y(a)(1)), 
as 
amended 
by 
section 
314(e), 
is
amended—
(1) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of subpara-
graph (I);
(2) by striking the semicolon at the end of sub-
paragraph (J) and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraph:
‘‘(K) in the case of a cholesterol and other
blood lipid screening test (as defined in section
1861(xx)(1)), which is performed more frequently
than is covered under section 1861(xx)(2).’’.
(d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by
this section shall apply to tests furnished on or after Janu-
ary 1, 2004.
TITLE IV—PROVISIONS
RELATING TO PARTS A AND B
Subtitle A—Home Health Services
SEC. 401. ELIMINATION OF 15 PERCENT REDUCTION IN
PAYMENT RATES UNDER THE PROSPECTIVE
PAYMENT SYSTEM.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1895(b)(3)(A) (42 U.S.C.
1395fff(b)(3)(A)) is amended to read as follows:
‘‘(A) INITIAL BASIS.—Under such system
the Secretary shall provide for computation of
a standard prospective payment amount (or
amounts) as follows:
‘‘(i) Such amount (or amounts) shall
initially be based on the most current au-
dited cost report data available to the Sec-
retary and shall be computed in a manner
so that the total amounts payable under
the system for fiscal year 2001 shall be
equal to the total amount that would have
been made if the system had not been in
effect and if section 1861(v)(1)(L)(ix) had
not been enacted.
‘‘(ii) For fiscal year 2002 and for the
first quarter of fiscal year 2003, such
amount (or amounts) shall be equal to the
OASIS to improve and simplify data collection for
purposes of—
(A) assessing the quality of home health
services; and
(B) providing consistency in classification
of patients into home health resource groups
(HHRGs) for payment under section 1895 of
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395fff).
(2) SPECIFIC ITEMS.—In conducting the review
under paragraph (1), the OASIS Task Force shall
specifically examine—
(A) the 41 outcome measures currently in
use;
(B) the timing and frequency of data col-
lection; and
(C) the collection of information on
comorbidities and clinical indicators.
(3) REPORT.—The OASIS Task Force shall
submit a report to the Secretary containing its find-
ings and recommendations for changes in OASIS by
not later than 18 months after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act.
(d) SUNSET.—The OASIS Task Force shall termi-
nate 60 days after the date on which the report is sub-
mitted under subsection (c)(2).