PUBLIC LAW 105-33 —AUG. 5, 1997 111 STAT. 457 "(A) for 1999, 2000, and 2001, is $1,500, and "(B) for a subsequent year is the amount specified in this paragraph for the preceding year increased by the percentage increase in the MEI (as defined in section 1842(i)(3)) for such subsequent year; except that if an increase under subparagraph (B) for a year is not a multiple of $10, it shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $10.". (2) REPORT. — By not later than January 1, 2001, the Sec- 42 USC 1395/ retary of Health and Human Services shall submit to Congress note. a report that includes recommendations on the establishment of a revised coverage policy of outpatient physical therapy services and outpatient occupational therapy services under the Social Security Act based on classification of individuals by diagnostic category and prior use of services, in both inpatient and outpatient settings, in place of the uniform dollar limitations specified in section 1833(g) of such Act, as amended by paragraph (1). The recommendations shall include how such a system of durational limits by diagnostic category might be implemented in a budget-neutral manner. (e) EFFECTIVE DATES. — 42 USC 1395/ (1) The amendments made by subsections (a)(1), (a)(2), note. and (b) apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 1998, including portions of cost reporting periods occurring on or after such date, except that section 1834(k) of the Social Security Act (as added by subsection (a)(2)) shall not apply to services described in section 1833(a)(8)(B) of such Act (as added by subsection (a)(1)) that are furnished during 1998. (2) The amendments made by subsections (a)(3) and (c) apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 1999. (3) The amendments made by subsection (d)(1) apply to expenses incurred on or after January 1, 1999. CHAPTER 5—OTHER PAYMENT PROVISIONS SEC. 4551. PAYMENTS FOR DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT. (a) REDUCTION IN PAYMENT AMOUNTS FOR ITEMS OF DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT.— (1) FREEZE IN UPDATE FOR COVERED ITEMS.—Section 1834(a)(14) (42 U.S.C. 1395m(a)(14)) is amended— (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking "and" at the end; (B) in subparagraph (B)— (i) by striking "a subsequent year" and inserting " 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997", and (ii) by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (C) by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs: "(C) for each of the years 1998 through 2002, 0 percentage points; and "(D) for a subsequent year, the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (U.S. urban average) for the 12-month period ending with June of the previous year.". (2) UPDATE FOR ORTHOTICS AND PROSTHETICS. —Section 1834(h)(4)(A) (42 U.S.C. 1395m(h)(4)(A)) is amended— 39-194O-97-16:QL3Part1
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