§ 1395w–21. Eligibility, election, and enrollment

Pub. L. 105–33, title IV, § 4018, Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 346, provided that: “(a) Demonstration Project.—“(1) Establishment.—The Secretary shall implement a demonstration project (in this section referred to as the ‘project’) for the purpose of evaluating the use of a third-party contractor to conduct the Medicare+Choice plan enrollment and disenrollment functions, as described in part C of title XVIII of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 1395w–21 et seq.] (as added by section 4001 of this Act), in an area. “(2) Consultation.—Before implementing the project under this section, the Secretary shall consult with affected parties on—“(A) the design of the project; “(B) the selection criteria for the third-party contractor; and “(C) the establishment of performance standards, as described in paragraph (3). “(3) Performance standards.—“(A) In general.—The Secretary shall establish performance standards for the accuracy and timeliness of the Medicare+Choice plan enrollment and disenrollment functions performed by the third-party contractor. “(B) Noncompliance.—In the event that the third-party contractor is not in substantial compliance with the performance standards established under subparagraph (A), such enrollment and disenrollment functions shall be performed by the Medicare+Choice plan until the Secretary appoints a new third-party contractor. “(b) Report to Congress.—The Secretary shall periodically report to Congress on the progress of the project conducted pursuant to this section. “(c) Waiver Authority.—The Secretary shall waive compliance with the requirements of part C of title XVIII of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 1395w–21 et seq.] (as amended by section 4001 of this Act) to such extent and for such period as the Secretary determines is necessary to conduct the project. “(d) Duration.—A demonstration project under this section shall be conducted for a 3-year period. “(e) Separate From Other Demonstration Proj­ects.—A project implemented by the Secretary under this section shall not be conducted in conjunction with any other demonstration project.”