PUBLIC LAW 105-266—OCT. 19, 1998 112 STAT. 2369 shall be disregarded, for purposes of any determination as to that plan's eligibility to be considered an approved plan under this chapter, but only for purposes of any contract year later than the third contract year beginning after such plan is so discontinued. "(b) A contract for a plan approved under this section shall require the carrier— "(1) to demonstrate experience in service delivery within a managed care system (including provider networks) throughout the United States; and "(2) if the carrier involved would not otherwise be subject to the requirement set forth in section 8903a(c)(l), to satisfy such requirement.". (2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.— The analysis for chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 8903a the following: "8903b. Authority to readmit an employee organization plan.". (3) APPLICABILITY. — 5 USC 8903b (A) IN GENERAL. —The simendments made by this sub- i^ote. section shall apply as of the date of the enactment of this Act, including with respect to any plan which has been discontinued as of such oate. (B) TRANSITION RULE. — For purposes of applying section 8903b(a) of title 5, United States Code (as amended by this subsection) with respect to any plan seeking to be readmitted for purposes oi any contract year beginning before January 1, 2000, such section shall be applied by substituting "second contract year" for "third contract year". (b) TREATMENT OP THE CONTINGENCY RESERVE OF A DISCON- TINUED PLAN.— (1) IN GENERAL.— Subsection (e) of section 8909 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking "(e)" and inserting "(e)(1)" and by adding at the end the following: "(2) Any crediting required under paragraph (1) pursuant to the discontinuation of any plan under this chapter shall be completed by the end of the second contract year beginning after such plan is so discontinued. "(3) The Office shall prescribe regulations in accordance with RegvOatioiis. which this subsection shall be applied in the case of any plan Applicability. which is discontinued before being credited with the full amount to which it would otherwise be entitled based on the discontinuation of any other plan.". (2) TRANSITION RULE. —In the case of any amounts remain- 5 USC 8909 note. ing as of the date of the enactment of this Act in the contingency reserve of a discontinued plan, such amounts shall be disposed of in accordance with section 8909(e) of title 5, United States Code, as amended by this subsection, by— (A) the deadline set forth in section 8909(e) of such title (as so amended); or (B) if later, the end of the 6-month period beginning on such date of enactment. SEC. 7. MAXIMUM PHYSICIANS COMPARABILITY ALLOWANCE PAY- ABLE. (a) IN GENERAL. —Paragraph (2) of section 5948(a) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking "$20,000" and inserting " $30,000 ". (b) AUTHORITY TO MODIFY EXISTING AGREEMENTS.— 5 USC 5948 note.
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