Pub. L. 108-173, tit. IX, subtit. A, sec. 901
CONSTRUCTION; DEFINITION OF SUPPLIER.
SEC. 901. CONSTRUCTION; DEFINITION OF SUPPLIER.(a) Construction.—Nothing in this title shall be construed—(1) to compromise or affect existing legal remedies for addressing fraud or abuse, whether it be criminal prosecution, civil enforcement, or administrative remedies, including under sections 3729 through 3733 of title 31, United States Code (commonly known as the “False Claims Act”); or(2) to prevent or impede the Department of Health and Human Services in any way from its ongoing efforts to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in the medicare program.Furthermore, the consolidation of medicare administrative contracting set forth in this division does not constitute consolidation of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund or reflect any position on that issue.(b) Definition of Supplier.—Section 1861 (42 U.S.C. 1395x) is amended by inserting after subsection (c) the following new subsection:117 STAT. 2375 “Supplier“(d) The term ‘supplier’ means, unless the context otherwise requires, a physician or other practitioner, a facility, or other entity (other than a provider of services) that furnishes items or services under this title.”.