INCREASE OF FQHC PAYMENT LIMITS.

SEC. 151. INCREASE OF FQHC PAYMENT LIMITS.(a) In General.—Section 1833 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:“(v) Increase of FQHC Payment Limits.—In the case of services furnished by Federally qualified health centers (as defined in section 1861(aa)(4)), the Secretary shall establish payment limits with respect to such services under this part for services furnished—“(1) in 2010, at the limits otherwise established under this part for such year increased by $5; and“(2) in a subsequent year, at the limits established under this subsection for the previous year increased by the percentage increase in the MEI (as defined in section 1842(i)(3)) for such subsequent year.”.(b) Study and Report on the Effects and Adequacy of the Medicare Federally Qualified Health Center Payment Structure.—(1) Study.—The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study to determine whether the structure for payments for services furnished by Federally qualified health centers (as defined in section 1861(aa)(4) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(aa)(4)) under part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395j et seq.) adequately reimburses Federally qualified health centers for the care furnished to Medicare beneficiaries. In conducting such study, the Comptroller General shall—(A) use the most current cost report data available;(B) examine the effects of the payment limits established with respect to such services under such part B on the ability of Federally qualified health centers to furnish care to Medicare beneficiaries; and(C) examine the cost of furnishing services covered under the Medicare program as of the date of the enactment of this Act that were not covered under such program as of the date on which the Secretary determined the payment rate for Federally qualified health centers in 1991.(2) Report.—Not later than 15 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report on the study conducted under paragraph (1), together with recommendations for such legislation and administrative action the Comptroller General determines appropriate, taking into consideration the structure and adequacy of the prospective payment methodology used to make payments to Federally qualified health centers 122 STAT. 2551 under the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.).