TREATMENT OF PHYSICIANS’ SERVICES FURNISHED IN ALASKA.

SEC. 602. TREATMENT OF PHYSICIANS’ SERVICES FURNISHED IN ALASKA. Section 1848(e)(1) (42 U.S.C. 1395w–4(e)(1)), as amended by section 421, is amended—(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking “subparagraphs (B), (C), (E), and (F)” and inserting “subparagraphs (B), (C), (E), (F) and (G)”; and(2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:“(G) Floor for practice expense, malpractice, and work geographic indices for services furnished in alaska.—For purposes of payment for services furnished in Alaska on or after January 1, 2004, and before January 1, 2006, after calculating the practice expense, malpractice, and work geographic indices in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of subparagraph (A) and in subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall increase any such index to 1.67 if such index would otherwise be less than 1.67.”.