STUDY AND REPORTS.

SEC. 4804. STUDY AND REPORTS. (a) Study.— (1) In general.—The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in close consultation with State administering agencies, as defined in sections 1894(a)(8) and 1934(a)(8) of the Social Security Act) shall conduct a study of the quality and cost of providing PACE program services under the medicare and medicaid programs under the amendments made by this subtitle. (2) Study of private, for-profit providers.—Such study shall specifically compare the costs, quality, and access to services by entities that are private, for-profit entities operating under demonstration projects waivers granted under sections 1894(h) and 1934(h) of the Social Security Act with the costs, quality, and access to services of other PACE providers. (b) Report.— (1) In general.—Not later than 4 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall provide for a report to Congress on the impact of such amendments on quality and cost of services. The Secretary shall include in such report such recommendations for changes in the operation of such amendments as the Secretary deems appropriate. (2) Treatment of private, for-profit providers.—The report shall include specific findings on whether any of the following findings is true: (A) The number of covered lives enrolled with entities operating under demonstration project waivers under sections 1894(h) and 1934(h) of the Social Security Act is fewer than 800 (or such lesser number as the Secretary may find statistically sufficient to make determinations respecting findings described in the succeeding subparagraphs). (B) The population enrolled with such entities is less frail than the population enrolled with other PACE providers. (C) Access to or quality of care for individuals enrolled with such entities is lower than such access or quality for individuals enrolled with other PACE providers. (D) The application of such section has resulted in an increase in expenditures under the medicare or medicaid programs above the expenditures that would have been made if such section did not apply.111 STAT. 552 (c) Information Included in Annual Recommendations.—The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission shall include in its annual report under section 1805(b)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act recommendations on the methodology and level of payments made to PACE providers under sections 1894(d) and 1934(d) of such Act and on the treatment of private, for-profit entities as PACE providers.