PUBLIC LAW 106-113—APPENDIX F 113 STAT. 150LA-385 " (4) TREATMENT OF ACCREDITATION. — "(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall provide that a Medicare+Choice organization is deemed to meet all the requirements described in any specific; clause of subparagraph (B) if the organization is accredited (and periodically reaccredited) by a private accrediting organization under a process that the Secretary has deteimined assures that the accrediting organization applies and enforces standards that meet or exceed the standards established under section 1856 to carry out the requirements in such clause. "(B) REQUIREMENTS DESCRIBED. — The provisions described in this subparagraph are the i'ollowing: "(i) Paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection (relating to quality assurance programs). "(ii) Subsection (b) (relating to antidiscrimination), "(iii) Subsection (d)(relating to access to services), "(iv) Subsection (h) (relating to confidentiality and accuracy of enrollee records). "(v) Subsection (i) (relating to information on advance directives). "(vi) Subsection (j) (relating to provider participation rules). "(C) TIMELY ACTION ON APPLICATIONS. —The Secretary shall determine, within 210 days after the date the Secretary receives an application by a private accrediting organization and using the criteria specified in section 1865(b)(2), whether the process of the private accrediting organization meets the requirements with respect to any specific clause in subparagraph (B) with respect to which the application is made. The Secretary may not deny such an application on the basis that it seeks to meet the requirements with respect to only one, or more than one, such specific clause. " (D) CONSTRUCTION. —Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as limiting the authority of the Secretary under section 1857, including the authority to terminate contracts with Medicare-i -Choice organizations under subsection (c)(2) of such section.". SEC. 519. TIMING OF MEDICARE+CHOICE HEi\LTH INFORMATION FAIRS. (a) IN GENERAL. —Section 1851(e)(3)(C) (42 U.S.C. 1395w- 21(e)(3)(C)) is amended by striking "In the month of November" and inserting "During the fall season". (b) EFFECTIVE DATE. —The amendment made by subsection (a) first applies to campaigns conducted beginning in 2000. SEC. 520. QUALITY ASSURANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR PREFERRED PRO- VIDER ORGANIZATION PLANS. (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1852(e)(2) (42 U.S.C. 1395w-22(e)(2)) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking "or a non-network MSA plan" and inserting ", a non-network MSA plan, or a preferred provider organization plan'; (2) in subparagraph (B)— (A) in the heading, by striking "AND NON-NETWORK MSA PLANS" and inserting ", NON -NI:TWORK MSA PLANS, AND PREFERRED PROVIDER ORGANIZATION PLANS"; and
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