2013 US Code
Title 42 - The Public Health and Welfare
Chapter 7 - SOCIAL SECURITY (§§ 301 - 1397mm)
Subchapter XVIII - HEALTH INSURANCE FOR AGED AND DISABLED (§§ 1395 - 1395kkk-1)
Part E - Miscellaneous Provisions (§§ 1395x - 1395kkk-1)
Section 1395kkk-1 - GAO study and report on determination and implementation of payment and coverage policies under the Medicare program

The Comptroller General of the United States (in this section referred to as the "Comptroller General") shall conduct a study on changes to payment policies, methodologies, and rates and coverage policies and methodologies under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.] as a result of the recommendations contained in the proposals made by the Independent Payment Advisory Board under section 1899A of such Act [42 U.S.C. 1395kkk] (as added by subsection (a)),¹ including an analysis of the effect of such recommendations on—

(i) Medicare beneficiary access to providers and items and services;

(ii) the affordability of Medicare premiums and cost-sharing (including deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments);

(iii) the potential impact of changes on other government or private-sector purchasers and payers of care; and

(iv) quality of patient care, including patient experience, outcomes, and other measures of care.

Not later than July 1, 2015, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report containing the results of the study conducted under subparagraph (A), together with recommendations for such legislation and administrative action as the Comptroller General determines appropriate.

The Comptroller General shall periodically conduct such additional studies and submit reports to Congress on changes to Medicare payments policies, methodologies, and rates and coverage policies and methodologies as the Comptroller General determines appropriate, in consultation with the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate.

(Pub. L. 111–148, title III, §3403(b), title X, §10320(b), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 506, 952.)

The Social Security Act, referred to in par. (1)(A), is act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, 49 Stat. 620. Title XVIII of the Act is classified generally to this subchapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 1305 of this title and Tables.

Subsection (a), referred to in par. (1)(A), means subsection (a) of section 3403 of Pub. L. 111–148, which enacted section 1395kkk of this title and amended section 207 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure.

Section was enacted as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and not as part of the Social Security Act which comprises this chapter.

"Independent Payment Advisory Board" substituted for "Independent Medicare Advisory Board" on authority of section 10320(b) of Pub. L. 111–148, set out as a note under section 1395kkk of this title.

¹ See References in Text note below.