PUBLIC LAW 108–173—DEC. 8, 2003
117 STAT. 2331
the amount which the Secretary estimates would have been paid if the demonstration program under this section was not implemented. (f) WAIVER AUTHORITY.—The Secretary may waive such requirements of titles XI and XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1301 et seq. and 1395 et seq.) as may be necessary for the purpose of carrying out the demonstration program under this section. (g) REPORT.—Not later than 12 months after the date of completion of the demonstration program under this section, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on such program, together with recommendations for such legislation and administrative action as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. (h) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: (1) ELIGIBLE BENEFICIARY.—The term ‘‘eligible beneficiary’’ means any individual who— (A) is entitled to benefits under part A and enrolled for benefits under part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act and is not enrolled in a plan under part C of such title; and (B) has one or more chronic medical conditions specified by the Secretary (one of which may be cognitive impairment). (2) HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.—The term ‘‘health information technology’’ means email communication, clinical alerts and reminders, and other information technology that meets such functionality, interoperability, and other standards as prescribed by the Secretary. SEC. 650. GAO STUDY AND REPORT ON THE PROPAGATION OF CONCIERGE CARE.
(a) STUDY.— (1) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study on concierge care (as defined in paragraph (2)) to determine the extent to which such care— (A) is used by medicare beneficiaries (as defined in section 1802(b)(5)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395a(b)(5)(A))); and (B) has impacted upon the access of medicare beneficiaries (as so defined) to items and services for which reimbursement is provided under the medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.). (2) CONCIERGE CARE.—In this section, the term ‘‘concierge care’’ means an arrangement under which, as a prerequisite for the provision of a health care item or service to an individual, a physician, practitioner (as described in section 1842(b)(18)(C) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395u(b)(18)(C))), or other individual— (A) charges a membership fee or another incidental fee to an individual desiring to receive the health care item or service from such physician, practitioner, or other individual; or (B) requires the individual desiring to receive the health care item or service from such physician, practitioner, or other individual to purchase an item or service. (b) REPORT.—Not later than the date that is 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of
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