113 STAT. 1501A-386 PUBLIC LAW 106-113—APPENDIX F (B) by striking "or a non-network MSA plan" and inserting ", a non-network MSA plan, or a preferred provider organization plan"; (3) by adding at the end the following: "(D) DEFINITION OF PREFERRED PROVIDER ORGANIZA- TION PLAN.— In this paragraph, the term 'preferred provider organization plan' means a Medicare+Choice plan that— "(i) has a network of providers that have agreed to a contractually specified reimbursement for covered benefits with the organization offering the plan; "(ii) provides for reimbursement for all covered benefits regardless of whether such benefits are provided within such network of providers; and "(iii) is offered by an organization that is not licensed or organized under State law as a health maintenance organization.". (b) EFFECTIVE DATE. —The amendments made by subsection (a) apply to contract years beginning on or after January 1, 2000. (c) QUALITY IMPROVEMENT STANDARDS.— (1) STUDY. — The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission shall conduct a study on the appropriate quality improvement standards that should apply to— (A) each type of Medicare-i -Choice plan described in section 1851(a)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-21(a)(2)), including each type of Medicare+Choice plan that is a coordinated care plan (as described in subparagraph (A) of such section); and (B) the original medicare fee-for-service program under parts A and B title XVIII of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.). (2) CONSIDERATIONS. —Such study shall specifically examine the effects, costs, and feasibility of requiring entities, physicians, and other health care providers that provide items and services under the original medicare fee-for-service program to comply with quality standards and related reporting requirements that are comparable to the quality standards and related reporting requirements that are applicable to Medicare+Choice organizations. (3) REPORT.— Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, such Commission shall submit a report to Congress on the study conducted under this subsection, together with any recommendations for legislation that it determines to be appropriate as a result of such study. SEC. 521. CLARIFICATION OF NONAPPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN PROVI- SIONS OF DISCHARGE PLANNING PROCESS TO MEDICARE+CHOICE PLANS. Section 1861(ee) (42 U.S.C. 1395x(ee)(2)(H)) is amended by adding at the end the following: "(3) With respect to a discharge plan for an individual who is enrolled with a Medicare+Choice organization under a Medicare+Choice plan and is furnished inpatient hospital services by a hospital under a contract with the organization— "(A) the discharge planning evaluation under paragraph (2)(D) is not required to include information on the availability of home health services through individuals and entities which do not have a contract with the organization; and
�
