Medicare program; utilization and quality control peer review organizations--imposition of sanctions on health care practitioners and providers of health care services--HCFA. Final rule

Abstract

This final rule implements the portion of the Peer Review Improvement Act of 1982 that imposes certain obligations on health care practitioners and other persons who provide health care services to Medicare beneficiaries. The rule also: Establishes sanctions that the Secretary may impose for violations of the obligations; imposes certain responsibilities on utilization and quality control peer review organizations; and provides that an exclusion sanction wil automatically become effective if the Secretary fails to act within a 120-day review period.