CONFORMING AMENDMENTS TO COMPLY WITH CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW OF AGENCY RULEMAKING.

SEC. 4644. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS TO COMPLY WITH CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW OF AGENCY RULEMAKING. (a) DRG Prospective Payment Rate Methodology.— (1) In general.—Section 1886(d)(6) (42 U.S.C. 1395ww(d)(6)) is amended by striking “September 1” and inserting “August 1”. (2) Transition rule for fiscal year 1998.—With respect to the publication in the Federal Register of the DRG prospective payment rate methodology under such section for fiscal year 1998, the term “60 days” in section 801(a)(3)(A) and section 802(a) of title 5, United States Code, is deemed to be a reference to “30 days”. (b) Hospital Payment Updates.— (1) In general.—Section 1886(e) (42 U.S.C. 1395ww(e) is amended— (A) in paragraph (5)(A) by striking “May 1” and inserting “April 1”; and (B) in paragraph (5)(B) by striking “September 1” and inserting “August 1”. (2) Transition rule for fiscal year 1998.—With respect to the publication in the Federal Register of the appropriate change factor for inpatient hospital services for discharges in fiscal year 1998 under section 1886(e)(5)(B) (42 U.S.C. 1395ww(e)(5)(B)), the term “60 days” in section 801(a)(3)(A) and section 802(a) of title 5, United States Code, is deemed to be a reference to “30 days”. (c) Applications for Geographic Reclassification.— (1) In general.—Section 1886(d)(10)(C) (42 U.S.C. 1395ww(d)(10)(C)) is amended in clause (ii), by striking “the first day of the preceding fiscal year.” and inserting “the first day of the 13-month period ending on September 30 of the preceding fiscal year.” (2) Special rule for applications received in fiscal year 1997.—In the case of an application for a change in geographic classification under such section for fiscal year 1999, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall shorten the deadlines under such section so as to permit completion of a final decision by the Secretary by June 15, 1998. (d) Physician Fee Schedule.—Section 1848(b)(1) (42 U.S.C. 1395w–4(b)(1)) is amended by striking “Before January 1 of each year beginning with 1992” and inserting “Before November 1 of the preceding year, for each year beginning with 1998”.111 STAT. 489