PUBLIC LAW 106-554—APPENDIX F 114 STAT. 2763A-523 for drugs and biologicals under the current medicare pay- ment methodology (provided under section 1842(o) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395u(o))) and for related services under part B of title XVIII of such Act. In the study, the Comptroller General shall— (i) identify the average prices at which such drugs and biologicals are acquired by physicians and other suppliers; (ii) quantify the difference between such average prices and the reimbursement amount under such section; and (iii) determine the extent to which (if any) payment under such part is adequate to compensate physicians, providers of services, or other suppliers of such drugs and biologicals for costs incurred in the administration, handling, or storage of such drugs or biologicals. (B) CONSULTATION.— In conducting the study under subparagraph (A), the Comptroller General shall consult with physicians, providers of services, and suppliers of drugs and biologicals under the medicare program under title XVIII of such Act, as well as other organizations involved in the distribution of such drugs and biologicals to such physicians, providers of services, and suppliers. (2) REPORT.— Not later than 9 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress and to the Secretary of Health and Human Services a report on the study conducted under this subsection, and shall include in such report recommendations for revised pay- ment methodologies described in paragraph (3). (3) RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REVISED PAYMENT METHODOLO- GIES.— (A) IN GENERAL.— The Comptroller General shall provide specific recommendations for revised pa3anent methodologies for reimbursement for drugs and biologicals and for related services under the medicare program. The Comptroller General may include in the recommendations— (i) proposals to make adjustments under subsection (c) of section 1848 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-4) for the practice expense component of the physician fee schedule under such section for the costs incurred in the administration, handling, or storage of certain categories of such drugs and biologicals, if appropriate; and (ii) proposals for new pa3mnents to providers of services or suppliers for such costs, if appropriate. (B) ENSURING PATIENT ACCESS TO CARE.— In making recommendations under this paragraph, the Comptroller General shall ensure that any proposed revised payment methodology is designed to ensure that medicare beneficiaries continue to have appropriate access to health care services under the medicare program. (C) MATTERS CONSIDERED.— In making recommendations under this paragraph, the Comptroller General shall consider—
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