<section xmlns="http://xml.house.gov/schemas/uslm/1.0" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:dcterms="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" style="-uslm-lc:I80" id="id8a14e85c-86fb-11e9-b915-8b3e54686b9f" identifier="/us/usc/t42/s1320c"><num value="1320c">§ 1320c.</num><heading> Purpose</heading><content>
<p style="-uslm-lc:I11" class="indent0">The purpose of this part is to establish the contracting process which the Secretary must follow pursuant to the requirements of <ref href="/us/usc/t42/s1395y/g">section 1395y(g) of this title</ref>, 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.</p>
</content><sourceCredit id="id8a150f6d-86fb-11e9-b915-8b3e54686b9f">(<ref href="/us/act/1935-08-14/ch531">Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531</ref>, title XI, § 1151, as added <ref href="/us/pl/97/248/tI/s143">Pub. L. 97–248, title I, § 143</ref>, <date date="1982-09-03">Sept. 3, 1982</date>, <ref href="/us/stat/96/382">96 Stat. 382</ref>; amended <ref href="/us/pl/112/40/tII/s261/a/2/C">Pub. L. 112–40, title II, § 261(a)(2)(C)</ref>, <date date="2011-10-21">Oct. 21, 2011</date>, <ref href="/us/stat/125/423">125 Stat. 423</ref>.)</sourceCredit>
<notes type="uscNote" id="id8a150f6e-86fb-11e9-b915-8b3e54686b9f">
<note style="-uslm-lc:I74" topic="priorProvisions" id="id8a150f6f-86fb-11e9-b915-8b3e54686b9f"><heading class="centered smallCaps">Prior Provisions</heading><p style="-uslm-lc:I21" class="indent0">A prior section 1320c, <ref href="/us/act/1935-08-14/ch531/tXI/s1151">act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, § 1151</ref>, as added <date date="1972-10-30">Oct. 30, 1972</date>, <ref href="/us/pl/92/603/tII/s249F/b">Pub. L. 92–603, title II, § 249F(b)</ref>, <ref href="/us/stat/86/1429">86 Stat. 1429</ref>; amended <date date="1981-08-13">Aug. 13, 1981</date>, <ref href="/us/pl/97/35/tXXI/s2113/a">Pub. L. 97–35, title XXI, § 2113(a)</ref>, <ref href="/us/stat/95/794">95 Stat. 794</ref>, set out the Congressional declaration of purpose of former part B, in the general revision of this part by <ref href="/us/pl/97/248">Pub. L. 97–248</ref>.</p>
</note>
<note style="-uslm-lc:I74" topic="amendments" id="id8a150f70-86fb-11e9-b915-8b3e54686b9f"><heading class="centered smallCaps">Amendments</heading><p style="-uslm-lc:I21" class="indent0">2011—<ref href="/us/pl/112/40">Pub. L. 112–40</ref> substituted “the quality improvement organizations” for “the utilization and quality control peer review organizations” and “such quality improvement organizations” for “such peer review organizations”.</p>
</note>
<note style="-uslm-lc:I74" topic="effectiveDateOfAmendment" id="id8a150f71-86fb-11e9-b915-8b3e54686b9f"><heading class="centered smallCaps">Effective Date of 2011 Amendment</heading><p><ref href="/us/pl/112/40/tII/s261/e">Pub. L. 112–40, title II, § 261(e)</ref>, <date date="2011-10-21">Oct. 21, 2011</date>, <ref href="/us/stat/125/426">125 Stat. 426</ref>, provided that: <quotedContent origin="/us/pl/112/40/tII/s261/e">“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 <date date="2012-01-01">January 1, 2012</date>.”</quotedContent>
</p>
</note>
<note style="-uslm-lc:I74" topic="effectiveDate" id="id8a150f72-86fb-11e9-b915-8b3e54686b9f"><heading class="centered smallCaps">Effective Date</heading><p><ref href="/us/pl/97/248/s149">Section 149 of Pub. L. 97–248</ref>, as amended by <ref href="/us/pl/98/369/dB/tIII/s2354/c/3/C">Pub. L. 98–369, div. B, title III, § 2354(c)(3)(C)</ref>, <date date="1984-07-18">July 18, 1984</date>, <ref href="/us/stat/98/1102">98 Stat. 1102</ref>, provided that: <quotedContent origin="/us/pl/98/369/dB/tIII/s2354/c/3/C">“The amendments made by this subtitle [subtitle C (§§ 141–150) of title I of <ref href="/us/pl/97/248">Pub. L. 97–248</ref>, enacting this part, amending sections 1395b–1, 1395g, 1395k, 1395<i>l</i>, 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 [<ref href="/us/pl/97/248/s150">section 150 of Pub. L. 97–248</ref>, 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 [<date date="1982-09-03">Sept. 3, 1982</date>].”</quotedContent>
</p>
</note>
<note style="-uslm-lc:I74" topic="miscellaneous" id="id8a150f73-86fb-11e9-b915-8b3e54686b9f"><heading class="centered smallCaps">IOM Study of QIOs</heading><p><ref href="/us/pl/108/173/tI/s109/d">Pub. L. 108–173, title I, § 109(d)</ref>, <date date="2003-12-08">Dec. 8, 2003</date>, <ref href="/us/stat/117/2173">117 Stat. 2173</ref>, provided that:<quotedContent origin="/us/pl/108/173/tI/s109/d">
<paragraph style="-uslm-lc:I21" class="indent0"><num value="1">“(1)</num><heading> <inline class="small-caps">In general</inline>.—</heading><chapeau>The Secretary [of Health and Human Services] shall request the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences to conduct an evaluation of the program under part B of title XI of the Social Security Act [<ref href="/us/usc/t42/s1320c">42 U.S.C. 1320c</ref> et seq.]. The study shall include a review of the following:</chapeau><subparagraph style="-uslm-lc:I22" class="indent1"><num value="A">“(A)</num><content> An overview of the program under such part.</content>
</subparagraph>
<subparagraph style="-uslm-lc:I22" class="indent1"><num value="B">“(B)</num><content> The duties of organizations with contracts with the Secretary under such part.</content>
</subparagraph>
<subparagraph style="-uslm-lc:I22" class="indent1"><num value="C">“(C)</num><content> The extent to which quality improvement organizations improve the quality of care for medicare beneficiaries.</content>
</subparagraph>
<subparagraph style="-uslm-lc:I22" class="indent1"><num value="D">“(D)</num><content> The extent to which other entities could perform such quality improvement functions as well as, or better than, quality improvement organizations.</content>
</subparagraph>
<subparagraph style="-uslm-lc:I22" class="indent1"><num value="E">“(E)</num><content> The effectiveness of reviews and other actions conducted by such organizations in carrying out those duties.</content>
</subparagraph>
<subparagraph style="-uslm-lc:I22" class="indent1"><num value="F">“(F)</num><content> The source and amount of funding for such organizations.</content>
</subparagraph>
<subparagraph style="-uslm-lc:I22" class="indent1"><num value="G">“(G)</num><content> The conduct of oversight of such organizations.</content>
</subparagraph>
</paragraph>
<paragraph style="-uslm-lc:I21" class="indent0"><num value="2">“(2)</num><heading> <inline class="small-caps">Report to congress</inline>.—</heading><content>Not later than <date date="2006-06-01">June 1, 2006</date>, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the results of the study described in paragraph (1), including any recommendations for legislation.</content>
</paragraph>
<paragraph style="-uslm-lc:I21" class="indent0"><num value="3">“(3)</num><heading> <inline class="small-caps">Increased competition</inline>.—</heading><content>If the Secretary finds based on the study conducted under paragraph (1) that other entities could improve quality in the medicare program as well as, or better than, the current quality improvement organizations, then the Secretary shall provide for such increased competition through the addition of new types of entities which may perform quality improvement functions.”</content>
</paragraph>
</quotedContent>
</p>
</note>
<note style="-uslm-lc:I74" topic="miscellaneous" id="id8a150f74-86fb-11e9-b915-8b3e54686b9f"><heading class="centered smallCaps">Coordination of PROs and Carriers</heading><p><ref href="/us/pl/101/508/tIV/s4205/c">Pub. L. 101–508, title IV, § 4205(c)</ref>, <date date="1990-11-05">Nov. 5, 1990</date>, <ref href="/us/stat/104/1388-113">104 Stat. 1388–113</ref>, provided that:<quotedContent origin="/us/pl/101/508/tIV/s4205/c">
<paragraph style="-uslm-lc:I21" class="indent0"><num value="1">“(1)</num><heading> <inline class="small-caps">Development and implementation of plan</inline>.—</heading><chapeau>The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall develop and implement a plan to coordinate the physician review activities of peer review organizations and carriers. Such plan shall include—</chapeau><subparagraph style="-uslm-lc:I22" class="indent1"><num value="A">“(A)</num><content> the development of common utilization and medical review criteria;</content>
</subparagraph>
<subparagraph style="-uslm-lc:I22" class="indent1"><num value="B">“(B)</num><content> criteria for the targetting of reviews by peer review organizations and carriers; and</content>
</subparagraph>
<subparagraph style="-uslm-lc:I22" class="indent1"><num value="C">“(C)</num><content> improved methods for exchange of information among peer review organizations and carriers.</content>
</subparagraph>
</paragraph>
<paragraph style="-uslm-lc:I21" class="indent0"><num value="2">“(2)</num><heading> <inline class="small-caps">Report</inline>.—</heading><content>Not later than <date date="1992-01-01">January 1, 1992</date>, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the development of the plan described under paragraph (1) and shall include in the report such recommendations for changes in legislation as may be appropriate.”</content>
</paragraph>
</quotedContent>
</p>
</note>
<note style="-uslm-lc:I74" topic="miscellaneous" id="id8a153685-86fb-11e9-b915-8b3e54686b9f"><heading class="centered smallCaps">Evaluation of Professional Standards Review Organizations</heading><p><ref href="/us/pl/97/448/tIII/s309/d">Pub. L. 97–448, title III, § 309(d)</ref>, <date date="1983-01-12">Jan. 12, 1983</date>, <ref href="/us/stat/96/2410">96 Stat. 2410</ref>, provided that: <quotedContent origin="/us/pl/97/448/tIII/s309/d">“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 <ref href="/us/pl/97/248">Pub. L. 97–248</ref>] and part B of title XI of the Social Security Act [<ref href="/us/usc/t42/s1320c">42 U.S.C. 1320c</ref> et seq.] as amended by such subtitle.”</quotedContent>
</p>
</note>
<note style="-uslm-lc:I74" topic="miscellaneous" id="id8a153686-86fb-11e9-b915-8b3e54686b9f"><heading class="centered smallCaps">Maintenance of Current Professional Standards Review Organization Agreements</heading><p><ref href="/us/pl/97/248/tI/s150">Pub. L. 97–248, title I, § 150</ref>, <date date="1982-09-03">Sept. 3, 1982</date>, <ref href="/us/stat/96/395">96 Stat. 395</ref>, as amended by <ref href="/us/pl/97/448/tIII/s309/a/9">Pub. L. 97–448, title III, § 309(a)(9)</ref>, <date date="1983-01-12">Jan. 12, 1983</date>, <ref href="/us/stat/96/2408">96 Stat. 2408</ref>, provided that:<quotedContent origin="/us/pl/97/448/tIII/s309/a/9">
<subsection style="-uslm-lc:I21" class="indent0"><num value="a">“(a)</num><content> 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 [<ref href="/us/usc/t42/s1320c">42 U.S.C. 1320c</ref> et seq.] on the earlier of the date of the enactment of this Act [<date date="1982-09-03">Sept. 3, 1982</date>] or <date date="1982-09-30">September 30, 1982</date> 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 <ref href="/us/pl/97/248">Pub. L. 97–248</ref>], 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.</content>
</subsection>
<subsection style="-uslm-lc:I21" class="indent0"><num value="b">“(b)</num><content> The provisions of part B of title XI of the Social Security Act [<ref href="/us/usc/t42/s1320c">42 U.S.C. 1320c</ref> et seq.] as in effect prior to the amendments made by this subtitle [subtitle C (§§ 141–150) of title I of <ref href="/us/pl/97/248">Pub. L. 97–248</ref>] 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 [<date date="1982-09-03">Sept. 3, 1982</date>] or <date date="1982-09-30">September 30, 1982</date>, 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 [<ref href="/us/usc/t42/s1320c–11">42 U.S.C. 1320c–11</ref>] after the end of such 30-day period.”</content>
</subsection>
</quotedContent>
</p>
</note>
</notes>
</section>