(a) Basis. This subpart is based on section 1860D-31 of the Social Security Act (the Act).

(b) Scope. This subpart sets forth the standards and procedures CMS uses to implement the Medicare Prescription Drug Discount Card and Transitional Assistance Program.

For purposes of this subpart, the following definitions apply:

Affiliated organization means an organization that is a legally separate entity from the endorsed drug card sponsor and meets one of the following conditions:

(1) The organization and the endorsed drug card sponsor are under common control. Common control exists if another entity has the power, directly or indirectly, to significantly influence or direct the actions or policies of the organization and the endorsed drug card sponsor.

(2) The organization is under the control of the endorsed drug card sponsor or the organization controls the endorsed drug card sponsor. Control exists if an entity has the power, directly or indirectly, to significantly influence or direct the actions or policies of another entity.

(3) The organization possesses an ownership or equity interest of 5 percent or more in the endorsed drug card sponsor on both the date on which the endorsed drug card sponsor markets the organization's Part D plan, and the date on which the endorsed drug card sponsor signed its endorsement contract with CMS.

Annual coordinated election period means the period beginning on November 15, 2004 and ending on December 31, 2004, during which a discount card enrollee may elect to disenroll from their current endorsed discount card program and elect enrollment in another endorsed discount card program effective January 1, 2005.

Applicant means the non-governmental, single legal organization or entity doing business in the United States that is applying for Medicare endorsement of its prescription drug discount card program, as described in its application, to be operated by itself or in coordination with subcontractors.

Application means the document submitted to CMS by an applicant that seeks to demonstrate the applicant's compliance with the requirements specified in this subpart in order to obtain Medicare endorsement of the applicant's prescription drug discount card program.

Authorized representative means a person with legal authority to act on behalf of an individual in making decisions related to the individual's health care or the individual's enrollment in, disenrollment from, and access to negotiated prices and transitional assistance under the Medicare Prescription Drug Discount Card and Transitional Assistance Program.

Covered discount card drug means any of the following: a drug that may be dispensed only upon a prescription and that is described in sections 1927(k)(2)(A)(i) through (iii) of the Act; a biological product described in sections 1927(k)(2)(B)(i) through (iii) of the Act; insulin described in section 1927(k)(2)(C) of the Act; the following medical supplies associated with the injection of insulin: syringes, needles, alcohol swabs, and gauze; a vaccine licensed under section 351 of the Public Health Service Act; or any use of a covered discount card drug for a medically accepted indication (as defined in section 1927(k)(6) of the Act). The definition of covered discount card drug excludes the following: agents when used for anorexia, weight loss, or weight gain; agents when used to promote fertility; agents when used for cosmetic purposes or hair growth; agents when used for the symptomatic relief of cough and colds; prescription vitamins and mineral products, except prenatal vitamins and fluoride preparations; nonprescription drugs; outpatient drugs for which the manufacturer seeks to require that associated tests or monitoring services be purchased exclusively from the manufacturer or its designee as a condition of sale; barbiturates; and benzodiazepines.

Discount card enrollee or enrollee or card enrollee means an individual described in § 403.810(a) who elects to enroll in a Medicare-endorsed prescription drug discount card program.

Effective date means the date on which an enrollment or disenrollment transaction becomes effective.

Enrollment period means the period beginning on the initial enrollment date and ending on December 31, 2005.

Exclusive card program means an endorsed discount card program that is offered by an exclusive card sponsor.

Exclusive card sponsor means an endorsed sponsor that also operates one or more Medicare managed care plans and limits enrollment in its endorsed discount card program to individuals described in § 403.810(a) who are enrollees in one of the Medicare managed care plans it offers.

Family size means one for individuals who are single, and two for individuals who are married.

Federal Employee's Health Benefits Program plan means a plan under chapter 89 of title 5 of the United States Code including the Retired Federal Employee's Health Benefits Program.

Formulary means the list of specific drugs from among covered discount card drugs for which an endorsed sponsor offers negotiated prices to Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in its Medicare-endorsed prescription drug discount card program.

Group enrollment means simultaneous enrollment of all or some of the individuals described in section 403.810(a) who are members of a Medicare managed care plan into the exclusive card program offered by the Medicare managed care organization.

HIPAA means the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, 42 U.S.C. 1320d and section 264 of Public Law 104-191.

Income means the components of an individual's adjusted gross income (AGI), as defined under 26 U.S.C. section 62, and, to the extent not included in the components of AGI, retirement and disability benefits, or, if he or she is married, the sum of such income for the individual and his or her spouse.

Initial enrollment date means the date established by the Secretary on which endorsed sponsors may begin accepting beneficiaries' standard enrollment forms.

Initial enrollment year means the period beginning on the initial enrollment date and ending on December 31, 2004.

I/T/U pharmacy means a pharmacy operated by the Indian Health Service, an Indian tribe or tribal organization, or an urban Indian organization, all of which are defined in section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, 25 U.S.C. 1603.

Long-term care facility means a skilled nursing facility, as defined in section 1819(a) of the Act, or nursing facility, as defined in section 1919(a) of the Act.

Long-term care pharmacy means a pharmacy owned by or under contract with a long-term care facility to provide prescription drugs to the facility's residents.

Medicare cost plan means an organization that offers enrollment under a reasonable cost reimbursement contract under section 1876(h) of the Act.

Medicare managed care organization means a Part C organization offering a Part C plan described in section 1851(a)(2)(A) of the Act or a Medicare cost plan.

Medicare managed care plan means a plan described in section 1851(a)(2)(A) of the Act offered by a Part C organization or a Medicare cost plan.

Medicare Prescription Drug Discount Card and Transitional Assistance Program or Medicare Drug Discount Card Program means the program established under section 1860D-31 of the Act.

Medicare-endorsed prescription drug discount card program, or endorsed program, or endorsed discount card program means any prescription drug discount card program that has received Medicare endorsement and whose endorsed sponsor has entered into a contract with CMS.

Medicare-endorsed prescription drug discount card sponsor, or endorsed sponsor, or endorsed discount card sponsor means any applicant that has received endorsement from Medicare and entered into a contract with CMS to operate an approved Medicare-endorsed discount card program.

Negotiated price means the discounted price for a covered discount card drug offered by an endorsed sponsor, including any dispensing fee, which takes into account negotiated price concessions, such as discounts, direct or indirect subsidies, rebates, and direct or indirect remunerations.

Network pharmacy means a licensed pharmacy that is not a mail order pharmacy and that is under contract with an endorsed sponsor to provide negotiated prices to its card enrollees and accept transitional assistance as payment for covered discount card drugs provided to its transitional assistance enrollees.

New Medicare managed care organization means an entity applying for approval to enter into a new contract with CMS to offer a new, coordinated care plan or plans as described in section 1851(a)(2)(A) of the Act under Medicare Part C and an exclusive card program under the Medicare Drug Discount Card Program.

Over-the-counter drug means a non-prescription drug.

Part C organization means an organization offering a Part C plan.

Part C plan means a plan described in section 1859(b)(1) of the Act.

Part D plan has the meaning given the term at § 423.4.

Pharmacy network means the group of network pharmacies under contract with an endorsed sponsor.

Poverty line means the income level defined in section 673(2) of the Community Services Block Grant Act, 42 U.S.C. 9902(2), including any revision required by such section, applicable to the family size involved.

Rural means a five-digit zip code in which the population density is less than 1000 persons per square mile.

Second enrollment year means the period beginning on January 1, 2005 and ending on December 31, 2005.

Solicitation means the application materials identified in the notice CMS publishes in the Federal Register announcing its intention to accept and consider applications from applicants seeking Medicare endorsement for their prescription drug discount card programs.

Special election period means the period beginning the day after the effective date of an individual's disenrollment from an endorsed discount card program for one of the reasons listed in § 403.811(b)(2). The length of any given election period will be specified by CMS in a form and manner that supports the goals of the Medicare Drug Discount Card Program.

Special endorsed sponsor means an endorsed sponsor who has received special endorsement by CMS.

Special endorsement means an endorsement granted under § 403.816 or § 403.817.

Standard enrollment form means an enrollment form or other approved process for enrolling individuals into an endorsed program that incorporates the standard elements provided by CMS.

Subcontractor means an organization or entity doing business in the United States with which an applicant or endorsed sponsor enters into a contract or other legal arrangement in connection with the operation of a prescription drug discount card program.

Suburban means a five-digit zip code in which the population density is between 1000 and 3000 persons per square mile.

Transition period means the period beginning on January 1, 2006 and ending, for individuals enrolled for coverage under Part D, on the effective date of the individual's coverage, and for individuals not so enrolled, on the last day of the initial Part D open enrollment period.

Transitional assistance means a subsidy that transitional assistance enrollees may apply toward the cost of covered discount card drugs in the manner described in § 403.808(d).

Transitional assistance effective date means the date on which a transitional assistance enrollee can access transitional assistance.

Transitional assistance enrollee means an individual described in § 403.810(b) who has applied for and been determined eligible for transitional assistance and has enrolled in a discount card program.

Urban means a five-digit zip code in which the population density is greater than 3000 persons per square mile.

(a) Application. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, an applicant must submit an application to CMS by the deadline announced in the solicitation to be eligible for Medicare endorsement of its prescription drug discount card program. The applicant must certify that based on best knowledge, information, and belief, the reported information is accurate, complete, truthful, and supportable.

(2) A new Medicare managed care organization may simultaneously apply to offer a new Part C plan or plans and an exclusive card program after the deadline announced in the solicitation. New Medicare managed care organizations seeking endorsement of their prescription drug discount card programs must submit an application to CMS at the time that they submit their Part C applications. New Medicare managed care organizations will be eligible for endorsement provided CMS approves their Part C application, the new Medicare managed care organizations demonstrate to CMS that they meet the criteria under paragraph (b) of this section, and the new Medicare managed care organizations demonstrate that they will meet the requirements of paragraph (e)(2) of this section.

(b) Eligibility to receive endorsement. Except as specified in §§ 403.814, 403.816 and 403.817, an applicant will be eligible for endorsement if its application demonstrates to CMS's satisfaction that the applicant meets the requirements of § 403.806(a) and § 403.806(b)(1) and that it would operate its endorsed program in a manner consistent with the requirements of § 403.806(b)(2) and (b)(3) through § 403.806(m). An applicant that submits a complete application that meets all of the requirements of this subpart will be eligible to enter into a contract with CMS to operate a Medicare-endorsed prescription drug discount card program. Following the receipt of its Medicare endorsement, an endorsed sponsor must comply with the requirements of § 403.806(b)(2) and (b)(3) through § 403.806(m) through the end of the transition period.

(c) Ability to subcontract with other organizations and entities. (1) An applicant for endorsement may demonstrate that it meets the requirements of this subpart by combining with subcontractors.

(2) Any subcontracts must be in final form satisfactory to CMS, signed by all applicable parties, and filed with CMS before an endorsed sponsor will be permitted to engage in any enrollment or information and outreach.

(3) Once endorsed, an endorsed sponsor must ensure that its subcontractors comply with all applicable requirements of this subpart.

(d) Period of endorsement. An applicant eligible to receive endorsement will be required to sign a contract with CMS agreeing to operate its approved Medicare-endorsed prescription drug discount card program(s) until the end of the transition period.

(e)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (e)(2) of this section, we expect an endorsed sponsor to be ready by June 8, 2004, to initiate enrollment and fully operate its endorsed program in compliance with the requirements of § 403.806(b)(2) and (b)(3) through § 403.806(m).

(2) A new Medicare managed care organization must be ready to initiate enrollment and fully operate its exclusive card program in compliance with the requirements of §§ 403.806(b)(2) and (b)(3) through § 403.806(m) upon approval of its Part C application and application for Medicare endorsement of its prescription drug discount card program.

Except as specified in §§ 403.814, 403.816, and 403.817, an endorsed sponsor must meet the following requirements:

(a) Applicant experience. (1) An applicant must be a non-governmental, single legal entity doing business in the United States.

(2) An applicant must have 3 years of private sector experience in the United States in pharmacy benefit management, which is defined to mean—

(i) Adjudicating and processing claims for drugs at the point of sale;

(ii) Negotiating with prescription drug manufacturers and others for discounts, rebates, and/or other price concessions on prescription drugs; and

(iii) Administering and tracking individuals' subsidies or benefits in real time.

(3) A single legal entity which is either the applicant or a subcontractor must, at the time of application for Medicare endorsement, operate a pharmacy benefit program, a prescription drug discount card program, a low-income drug assistance program, or a similar program that serves at least 1 million covered lives.

(b) Financial stability and business integrity. (1) An applicant must demonstrate a satisfactory record of the financial stability and business integrity of itself, any subcontractors on whom the applicant relies to satisfy the 3 years experience requirement in paragraph (a)(2) of this section and the 1 million covered lives requirement in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, and any subcontractors engaged by the applicant to perform the following activities: develop the pharmacy network; negotiate with manufacturers or pharmacies for rebates, discounts, or other price concessions; handle eligibility for or enrollment in the endorsed sponsor's endorsed discount card program and/or transitional assistance; and administer transitional assistance.

(2) An endorsed sponsor and any subcontractors described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section must maintain a satisfactory record of financial stability and business integrity during the term of the endorsed program.

(3) Medicare endorsement of a discount card program shall not be construed to express or imply any opinion that an endorsed sponsor or any subcontractor of an endorsed sponsor is in compliance with or not liable under the False Claims Act, anti-kickback statute (section 1128B(b) of the Act), or other legal authorities for any improper billing, claims submission, or related conduct.

(c) Compliance with applicable law. An endorsed sponsor must comply with all applicable Federal and State laws, including the Federal anti-kickback statute (section 1128B(b) of the Act).

(d) Prescription drug offering. An endorsed sponsor must comply with the following discount, rebate, and formulary requirements:

(1) Offer all of its discount card enrollees negotiated prices on covered discount card drugs, which may be limited to those covered discount card drugs included on the endorsed sponsor's formulary.

(2) If the endorsed sponsor uses a formulary, offer a negotiated price on at least one covered discount card drug in each of the lowest level categories for each of the therapeutic groups representing the drugs most commonly needed by Medicare beneficiaries as determined by CMS. A specific covered discount card drug may not be used to fulfill this requirement for more than one category.

(3) Offer a negotiated price on a generic drug in at least 55 percent of the lowest level categories in each of the therapeutic groups representing the drugs most commonly needed by Medicare beneficiaries as determined by CMS.

(4) In setting negotiated prices under this section, an endorsed sponsor may vary its prices and the drugs included on the formulary by pharmacy contract and enrollee characteristics, such as transitional assistance eligibility status.

(5) Synchronize changes in the list of, and negotiated prices for, covered discount card drugs included in the endorsed sponsor's formulary with formulary and negotiated prices published on a price comparison Web site, as described in paragraph (i)(4)(v) of this section.

(6) Obtain rebates, discounts, or other price concessions from manufacturers on covered discount card drugs and pass a share of such concessions to enrollees through negotiated prices.

(7) Guarantee that network and mail order pharmacies provide the lower of the negotiated price or usual and customary price when a covered discount card drug for a negotiated price is available at the point of sale.

(8) Guarantee that a network pharmacy, at the point of sale, inform a discount card enrollee of any differential between the price of a prescribed drug (if it is a covered discount card drug) and the price of the lowest priced generic covered discount card drug that is therapeutically equivalent and bioequivalent and available at such pharmacy. Mail order pharmacies are to provide this information at the time of delivery of the drug.

(9) Except during the week of November 15, 2004 (which coincides with the beginning of the annual coordinated election period), ensure that any increase in the negotiated price for a covered discount card drug does not exceed an amount proportionate to the change in the drug's average wholesale price (AWP), and/or an amount proportionate to the changes in the endorsed sponsor's cost structure, including material changes to any discounts, rebates, or other price concessions the endorsed sponsor receives from a pharmaceutical manufacturer or pharmacy.

(e) Transitional assistance administration. An endorsed sponsor must administer transitional assistance funds, including any roll-over funds as described in § 403.808(f), for transitional assistance enrollees, through the following procedures:

(1) Establish accounting procedures to manage the transitional assistance funds for each transitional assistance enrollee.

(2) Ensure that transitional assistance funds are applicable to, and only to, all covered discount card drugs available at the endorsed sponsors' network and mail order pharmacies, regardless of formulary.

(3) Ensure that, at network and mail order pharmacies, transitional assistance funds are applied at the lower of negotiated price (if any) and the pharmacy's usual and customary price.

(4) Ensure that network pharmacies make available to the transitional assistance enrollee, electronically or by telephone, at the point-of-sale of covered discount card drugs, the amount of transitional assistance remaining available to the transitional assistance enrollee. Mail order pharmacies are to make this information available by telephone.

(5) Maintain a toll-free telephone number that discount card enrollees may use to determine their transitional assistance balances.

(6) Enforce coinsurance requirements described in § 403.808(e) and ensure that the portion of the price paid through coinsurance is not deducted from the total transitional assistance funds available to the discount card enrollee.

(f) Service area and pharmacy access. An endorsed sponsor must meet the following requirements for its service area and its pharmacy network:

(1) The service area must cover one or more States.

(2) The endorsed sponsor's discount card program must be available to all eligible individuals residing in each State in the endorsed sponsor's service area and may not be offered to individuals residing outside of the United States.

(3) The endorsed sponsor must have a contracted pharmacy network, consisting of pharmacies other than mail-order pharmacies, sufficient to ensure that for beneficiaries residing in the endorsed sponsor's service area the following requirements are satisfied:

(i) At least 90 percent of Medicare beneficiaries, on average, in urban areas served by the endorsed program, live within 2 miles of a network pharmacy;

(ii) At least 90 percent of Medicare beneficiaries, on average, in suburban areas served by the endorsed program, live within 5 miles of a network pharmacy; and

(iii) At least 70 percent of Medicare beneficiaries, on average, in rural areas served by the endorsed program, live within 15 miles of a network pharmacy.

(4) The endorsed sponsor's pharmacy network may be supplemented by pharmacies offering home delivery via mail-order, provided the requirements of paragraph (f)(3) of this section are met.

(g) Information and outreach and customer service. (1) An endorsed sponsor must provide through the Internet and some other tangible medium (such as a mailing) to Medicare beneficiaries information and outreach materials describing its endorsed drug card program, including the following information—

(i) The enrollment fee;

(ii) Negotiated prices offered for covered discount card drugs;

(iii) If offered, discounts on over-the-counter drugs;

(iv) Any other products or services offered under the endorsement; and

(v) Any other information that CMS determines is necessary for a full description of the endorsed discount drug card program.

(2) An endorsed sponsor must include on a Web site the following:

(i) Information regarding when the Web site was last updated; and

(ii) A disclaimer that the information on the Web site may not be current.

(3) An endorsed sponsor must use the following forms which incorporate standard elements provided by CMS:

(i) An enrollment form (except as may be modified for an exclusive card sponsor as discussed in § 403.814(b)(5)(iii); and

(ii) An eligibility determination notice.

(4) An endorsed sponsor must provide to each enrollee a card that complies with National Council for Prescription Drug Programs standards.

(5) An endorsed sponsor must meet the following requirements for the review and approval of information and outreach materials:

(i) Comply with the Information and Outreach Guidelines published by CMS except as provided in paragraph (g)(5)(vi) of this section.

(ii) Except as provided in paragraph (g)(5)(iii) of this section, not distribute any information and outreach materials until or unless they are approved by CMS.

(iii) If CMS does not disapprove the initial submission of information and outreach materials within 30 days of receipt of these materials, the materials are deemed approved under paragraph (g)(5)(ii) of this section.

(iv) Information and outreach materials may discuss only products or services inside the scope of endorsement, as described in paragraph (h) of this section.

(v) Information and outreach materials include the same kinds of materials described in 42 CFR 422.80(b), as well as the enrollment form, eligibility determination form, and membership card described in paragraphs (g)(3) and (g)(4) of this section, Web site content, and information regarding discounts for over-the-counter drugs.

(vi) All materials related to products and services that are Part D plans must comply with the requirements specified in § 423.50 of this chapter.

(6) An endorsed sponsor must maintain a toll-free customer call center that is open during usual business hours and that provides customer telephone service, including to pharmacists, in accordance with standard business practices. The endorsed sponsor must inform enrollees that the toll-free telephone number provides information on the amount of remaining transitional assistance, in accordance with paragraph (e)(5) of this section.

(7) An endorsed sponsor must provide a system to reduce the likelihood of medical errors and adverse drug interactions and to improve medication use.

(h) Products and services inside and outside the scope of the endorsement. (1) An endorsed sponsor may provide, under the endorsement, only those products and services inside the scope of the endorsement, including conducting enrollment. An endorsed sponsor must ensure that discount card enrollees are not charged any additional fee (other than the enrollment fee allowed under § 403.811(c)) for products or services inside the scope of the endorsement.

(2) Products and services inside the scope of the endorsement are limited to—

(i) Products or services offered for no additional fee, other than the enrollment fee allowed under § 403.811(c), that are directly related to a covered discount card drug; or

(ii) A discounted price for an over-the-counter drug.

(i) Reporting. (1) An endorsed sponsor must report to CMS on a periodic basis information on the major features of the endorsed sponsor's programs that correspond to the qualifications for endorsement, including, but not limited to, information concerning—

(i) Savings from pharmacies and manufacturers obtained through rebates, discounts, and other price concessions;

(ii) Savings shared with discount card enrollees by manufacturer, by all retail pharmacies, by all mail order pharmacies, and by all brand name and all generic covered discount card drugs;

(iii) Dispensing fees;

(iv) Certified (by the chief financial officer) financial accounting records on transitional assistance used by the transitional assistance enrollees in each month;

(v) Participant utilization and spending statements;

(vi) Utilization and spending for selected drugs;

(vii) Performance on customer service metrics such as call center performance;

(viii) Grievance logs; and

(ix) Endorsed sponsor's compliance with the pharmacy network access standards.

(2) An endorsed sponsor must provide notice of, and the rationale for, negotiated price increases, except for increases during the week of November 15, 2004, due to reasons other than changes in average wholesale price (AWP).

(3) An endorsed sponsor must certify that based on best knowledge, information, and belief, the reported information is accurate, complete, truthful, and supportable.

(4) Through a price comparison Web site, an endorsed sponsor must report the following information:

(i) Customer service hours;

(ii) Customer service contact information;

(iii) Endorsed program Web site address;

(iv) Annual enrollment fee; and

(v) Negotiated prices (including any applicable dispensing fee), for every covered discount card drug included in the discount card program's offering.

(5) CMS may require endorsed sponsors to submit, in standard terminology, descriptions of other discount card related services they provide, such as pharmacist services.

(j) Grievance process. An endorsed sponsor must establish and maintain a grievance process. This process must be designed to track and appropriately address in a timely manner enrollees' complaints about any aspect of their endorsed program for which the endorsed sponsor is responsible.

(k) Eligibility, enrollment, and disenrollment. (1) An endorsed sponsor must make preliminary eligibility determinations in accordance with § 403.810 and conduct enrollment and disenrollment in accordance with § 403.811.

(l) Authorized representative. An endorsed sponsor must treat an individual's authorized representative as the individual, if under applicable law, the authorized representative has the legal authority to act on behalf of the individual with respect to the action at issue.

(m) Other. An endorsed sponsor must meet the requirements of §§ 403.812, 403.813, and 403.822 of this subpart.

(a) Individuals determined eligible for transitional assistance in 2004. Subject to paragraph (d) of this section, an individual who, in calendar year 2004, is determined eligible for transitional assistance under § 403.810(b) is entitled to the following:

(1) $600 in calendar year 2004; and

(2) $600 in calendar year 2005.

(b) Individuals determined eligible for transitional assistance in 2005. Subject to paragraph (d) of this section, an individual who, in calendar year 2005, is determined eligible for transitional assistance under § 403.810(b) is entitled to one of the following amounts for calendar year 2005:

(1) If the complete application for the individual's transitional assistance eligibility is received on or after January 1, 2005 and before April 1, 2005, $600.

(2) If the complete application for the individual's transitional assistance eligibility is received on or after April 1, 2005 and before July 1, 2005, $450.

(3) If the complete application for the individual's transitional assistance eligibility is received on or after July 1, 2005 and before October 1, 2005, $300.

(4) If the complete application for the individual's transitional assistance eligibility is received on or after October 1, 2005 and on or before December 31, 2005, $150.

(c) Payment of enrollment fee. An individual found eligible for transitional assistance is entitled to have CMS pay the annual enrollment fee to the endorsed sponsor on his or her behalf.

(d) Conditions on use of transitional assistance. A transitional assistance enrollee may access the transitional assistance described in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section only if the following conditions are met:

(1) Except as provided in § 403.814(b)(3)(v), the transitional assistance funds are applied toward the cost of a covered discount card drug obtained under the Medicare Prescription Drug Discount Card and Transitional Assistance Program;

(2) The individual pays a coinsurance amount in accordance with § 403.808(e);

(3) The individual purchases the covered discount card drug on or after the individual's transitional assistance effective date; and

(4) The individual is enrolled in the Medicare Prescription Drug Discount Card and Transitional Assistance Program on the date the individual's claim for the covered discount card drug is adjudicated.

(e) Coinsurance. If sufficient transitional assistance funds are available, transitional assistance funds must be expended in accordance with the following:

(1) For beneficiaries with incomes at or below 100 percent of the poverty line, 95 percent of the price of a covered discount card drug must be paid from the available transitional assistance funds.

(2) For beneficiaries with incomes greater than 100 percent but at or below 135 percent of the poverty line, 90 percent of the price of a covered discount card drug must be paid from the available transitional assistance funds.

(f) Rollover. An individual with transitional assistance retains access to any balance of transitional assistance not expended in a calendar year during the next calendar year, up to and including the transition period, if the individual—

(1) Remains in his or her current endorsed discount card program;

(2) Elects a new endorsed program in an Annual Coordinated Election Period; or

(3) Is eligible for a Special Election Period under § 403.811(b)(2) and elects a new endorsed discount card program during such Special Election Period.

(a) Eligibility for an endorsed discount card program. An individual is eligible to enroll in an endorsed discount card program only if such individual meets the following conditions:

(1) The individual is entitled to benefits, or enrolled, under Medicare Part A or enrolled under Medicare Part B; and

(2) The individual, at the time of applying to enroll in an endorsed discount card program, is not enrolled in a State medical assistance program under Title XIX of the Act or under a waiver pursuant to section 1115 of the Act, under which the individual is entitled to any medical assistance for outpatient prescribed drugs as described in section 1905(a)(12) of the Act, except as allowed in § 403.817(d).

(b) Eligibility for transitional assistance. An individual is eligible to receive transitional assistance if, at the time of applying for transitional assistance, the individual meets the following conditions:

(1) The individual meets the conditions in paragraph (a) of this section;

(2) The individual resides in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia;

(3) The individual's income is not more than 135 percent of the poverty line applicable to the individual's family size;

(4) The individual does not have coverage for covered discount card drugs under one or more of the following sources:

(i) A group health plan or health insurance coverage, as these terms are defined under section 2791 of the Public Health Service Act, other than a Part C plan or a group health plan consisting solely of excepted benefits (such as a Medigap plan) as the term is defined under section 2791 of the Public Health Service Act;

(ii) Coverage provided under Chapter 55 of Title 10, United States Code, including TRICARE; or

(iii) A Federal Employee's Health Benefits Program plan; and

(5) The individual (or the individual's authorized representative) completes a standard enrollment form and signs and dates the form in accordance with § 403.811(a)(4). By signing the form, the individual (or the individual's authorized representative) certifies, under penalty of perjury, that, to the best of the individual's knowledge, the information he or she provides on the form is accurate.

(c) Special rule for QMBs, SLMBs and QIs. An individual is deemed to meet the income requirements in paragraph (b)(3) of this section if the individual is enrolled under Title XIX of the Act as a—

(1) Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB);

(2) Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB); or

(3) Qualified Individual (QI).

(d) Duration of eligibility determinations. An individual determined eligible for the Medicare Prescription Drug Discount Card and Transitional Assistance Program and, in the case of transitional assistance enrollees, for transitional assistance, shall remain eligible for the Medicare Prescription Drug Discount Card and Transitional Assistance Program and, in the case of transitional assistance enrollees, for transitional assistance for the duration of the individual's enrollment in the Medicare Prescription Drug Discount Card and Transitional Assistance Program.

(e) Drug card and transitional assistance benefits not treated as benefits under other Federal programs. Any benefits received under the Medicare Prescription Drug Discount Card and Transitional Assistance Program must not be taken into account in determining an individual's eligibility for, or the amount of benefits under, any other Federal program.

(f) Verification of eligibility. (1) CMS will verify eligibility to enroll in an endorsed discount card program or to receive transitional assistance.

(2) If CMS is unable to verify an individual's eligibility or ineligibility for transitional assistance, CMS can require the individual to provide additional income information in a form and manner specified by CMS as one condition of eligibility for transitional assistance.

(g) Reconsideration. (1) If an individual is determined ineligible to enroll in an endorsed discount card program under paragraph (a) of this section or determined ineligible to receive transitional assistance under paragraph (b) of this section, the individual (or the individual's authorized representative) has a right to request that an independent review entity under contract with CMS reconsider the determination.

(2) Reconsideration requests must be filed within 60 days from date of notice of an ineligibility determination, unless the individual (or the individual's authorized representative) can demonstrate good cause for why the 60-day time frame should be extended.

(3) An individual (or the individual's authorized representative) may submit additional documentary evidence or an explanation about his or her eligibility in writing to the independent review entity, as part of the reconsideration process.

(4) Reconsideration decisions shall be issued by the independent review entity in writing and contain an explanation of the reasoning of the decision.

(a) Enrollment process. (1) An individual (or an individual's authorized representative) applying to enroll in an endorsed discount card program must complete a standard enrollment form or other method allowed by CMS and provide such information to the endorsed discount card program in which the individual wishes to enroll.

(2) An individual electing to join an endorsed discount card program that charges an annual enrollment fee, and who is not applying for transitional assistance, must agree to pay the annual enrollment fee, if any, in a form and manner determined by the endorsed card sponsor.

(3) An individual applying for transitional assistance at the time that they apply for enrollment in an endorsed discount card program may only enroll in the endorsed discount card program at that time if CMS determines that the individual is eligible for transitional assistance. Individuals not found eligible for transitional assistance may enroll in an endorsed discount card program without applying for transitional assistance after being notified of their ineligibility for transitional assistance.

(4) An individual applying for transitional assistance must complete a standard enrollment form and sign and date the form, certifying, under penalty of perjury or similar sanction for false statements, as to the accuracy of the information provided on the standard enrollment form.

(5) Except as provided in § 403.811(b)(4), an individual who is not currently enrolled in an endorsed card program seeking to enroll in the Medicare Prescription Drug Discount Card and Transitional Assistance Program may do so at any time during the enrollment period.

(6) An individual may not be enrolled in more than one endorsed discount card program at a time.

(7) An individual may enroll in only one endorsed discount card program per year during the enrollment period. An individual enrolling during the initial enrollment year, with the exception of the circumstances under paragraph (b)(2) of this section, may change election for the second enrollment year during the annual coordinated election period. During the second enrollment year, an individual may enroll in only one endorsed discount card program, unless the individual meets the circumstances described in paragraph (b)(2) of this section.

(8) An individual remains enrolled in an endorsed discount card program elected unless—

(i) The individual is disenrolled under paragraph (b) of this section;

(ii) The individual elects a new program during the Annual Coordinated Election Period; or

(iii) The endorsed sponsor terminates its endorsed discount card program, or is terminated.

(9) No new enrollment in an endorsed discount card program or changing election of an endorsed discount card program is allowed during the transition period.

(10) Except as specified in § 403.814(b)(6)(i), an individual may enroll in any endorsed discount card program, and only those endorsed discount card programs, offered in the individual's State of residence.

(11) In order to access negotiated prices or transitional assistance, if applicable, an individual must be enrolled in an endorsed discount card program. Access to negotiated prices begins with the effective date of enrollment and ends with disenrollment. Access to transitional assistance begins with the transitional assistance effective date and ends for claims finalized on the date of disenrollment.

(12) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(5) of this section, an individual may apply for transitional assistance at any time during the enrollment period.

(b) Disenrollment process. (1) An enrollee may voluntarily disenroll at any time by notifying (or by having his authorized representative notify) the endorsed sponsor.

(2) An enrolled individual who disenrolls during the enrollment period under the following circumstances is granted a Special Election Period in which the individual may enroll in another endorsed discount card program during the enrollment period:

(i) A move of residence outside the service area of the current program;

(ii) A change in residence to or from a long-term care facility;

(iii) Enrollment in or disenrollment from a Part C plan or Medicare cost plan;

(iv) An individual's current endorsed discount card program is terminated or terminates; or

(v) Other exceptional circumstances, as defined by the Secretary.

(3) Notification in order to effect a disenrollment is not required for an individual disenrolling from a terminating endorsed discount card program or enrolling in or disenrolling from a Medicare managed care plan offering an exclusive card program, or for individuals changing endorsed discount card programs during the Annual Coordinated Election Period.

(4) A drug discount card enrollee who disenrolls from an endorsed discount card program other than for one of the reasons listed in paragraph (b)(2) of this section will no longer be determined eligible for the Medicare Prescription Drug Discount Card and Transitional Assistance Program and, if he or she disenrolls in 2004, must re-apply for the Medicare Prescription Drug Discount Card and Transitional Assistance Program should he or she wish to enroll in another endorsed discount card program for the second enrollment year.

(5) An individual receiving transitional assistance who voluntarily disenrolls from an endorsed discount card program other than for one of the reasons listed in paragraph (b)(2) of this section will forfeit any transitional assistance remaining available to the individual on the date of disenrollment, and, if he or she disenrolls in 2004, must re-apply for transitional assistance for 2005 in order to receive transitional assistance in 2005.

(6) A discount card enrollee other than a transitional assistance enrollee may be involuntarily disenrolled from his or her endorsed discount card program for failure to pay the annual enrollment fee on a timely basis.

(7) A discount drug card enrollee other than a transitional assistance enrollee may be charged another annual enrollment fee each time the individual disenrolls from one endorsed discount card program and enrolls in another endorsed discount card program during the calendar year.

(c) Enrollment fees. (1) An endorsed sponsor may charge an annual enrollment fee of no more than $30 to each individual enrolled in its endorsed discount card program.

(2) An endorsed sponsor may not collect an enrollment fee from any individual applying for or receiving transitional assistance.

(3) The annual enrollment fee must not be prorated for portions of the year.

(4) An endorsed sponsor must charge a uniform enrollment fee to every discount card eligible individual, or to the Secretary in the case of individuals receiving transitional assistance, residing in a State.

(5) An endorsed sponsor must refund any enrollment fee collected from a discount card enrollee, or any State that has paid the enrollment fee on behalf of the discount card enrollee, during the calendar year during which the individual is determined eligible to receive transitional assistance.

(6) An endorsed sponsor may not charge an annual enrollment fee during the transition period.

(a) HIPAA covered entities. An endorsed sponsor is a HIPAA covered entity and must comply with the standards, implementation specifications, and requirements in 45 CFR parts 160, 162, and 164 as set forth in this section. Those functions of an endorsed sponsor the performance of which are necessary or directly related to the operations of the endorsed discount card program are covered functions for purposes of applying to endorsed sponsors the standards, implementation specifications, and requirements in 45 CFR parts 160, 162, and 164.

(b) HIPAA privacy requirements. An endorsed sponsor must comply with the standards, implementation specifications, and requirements in the Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information, 45 CFR parts 160 and 164, subparts A and E, in the same manner as a health plan, except to the extent such requirements are temporarily waived by the Secretary.

(c) Security requirements—(1) Standard. An endorsed sponsor must comply with the applicable standards, implementation specifications, and requirements in the HIPAA Security Rule, 45 CFR parts 160 and 164, subparts A and C, in the same manner as other covered entities as of the compliance date of such Rule.

(2) Attestation. An applicant in its application shall—

(i) Attest that, as of the initial enrollment date, it will have in place appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect the privacy of protected health information in accordance with 45 CFR 164.530(c); and

(ii) Attest that its information security measures will meet the standards, implementation specifications, and requirements of 45 CFR part 164 subparts A and C as of the initial enrollment date, or, if unable to make this attestation, provide a plan for coming into compliance with these requirements by the compliance date of the Security Rule set forth in 45 CFR part 164, subpart C.

(d) Administrative data standards. An endorsed sponsor must comply with any applicable standards, implementation specifications, and requirements in the Standards for Electronic Transactions under 45 CFR parts 160 and 162 subparts I through R.

(e) Unique identifiers. An endorsed sponsor must comply with any applicable standards, implementation specifications, and requirements regarding standard unique identifiers under 45 CFR parts 160 and 162 as of the compliance date of any final rule for standard unique identifiers.

(f) Applicability of other regulations. Nothing in this paragraph or in § 403.813 shall be deemed a modification of parts 160, 162 and 164 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations or otherwise modify the applicability of such regulations to other organizations or covered entities independently subject to the mandates of HIPAA. If an endorsed sponsor is also a health plan, health care provider, or health care clearinghouse, nothing is this paragraph shall impair or otherwise affect the application of HIPAA or parts 160, 162 and 164 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations to such entity and its performance of those functions which make such entity a health plan, health care provider, or health care clearinghouse.

(a) Marketing limitations. (1) An endorsed sponsor may only market the following:

(i) Those products and services offered under the endorsed program that are inside the scope of endorsement defined in § 403.806(h) and permitted under § 403.812(b).

(ii) A Part D plan offered by the endorsed sponsor or an affiliated organization of the endorsed sponsor.

(2) An endorsed sponsor may not request that a drug card enrollee or an individual seeking to enroll in its endorsed discount card program authorize the endorsed sponsor to use or disclose individually identifiable health information for purposes of marketing any product or service not allowed under paragraph (a)(1) of this section.

(3) An endorsed sponsor may not co-mingle any materials related to the marketing of products and services allowed under paragraph (a)(1) of this section with other marketing materials.

(4) Following termination of an endorsed sponsor's endorsement under §§ 403.820(c), (d) or (e) or termination of the Medicare Drug Discount Card and Transitional Assistance Program, a drug card enrollee's individually identifiable health information collected or maintained by an endorsed sponsor may not be used or disclosed for purposes of marketing any product or service.

(b) Record retention standard. (1) An endorsed sponsor must retain records that it creates, collects, or maintains while participating in the Medicare Drug Discount Card and Transitional Assistance Program as part of its operations of an endorsed program for at least 6 years following termination of such program, or, in the event the endorsed sponsor's endorsement is terminated under § 420.820(c), (d), or (e) of this chapter at least 6 years following termination of such endorsement. The Secretary may extend the six-year retention period if an endorsed sponsor's records relate to an ongoing investigation, litigation, or negotiation by the Secretary, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, the Department of Justice, or a State, or such documents otherwise relate to suspicions of fraud and abuse or violations of Federal or State law.

(2) For the period during which an endorsed sponsor retains records as specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, an endorsed sponsor must continue to apply security and privacy protections to such records and the information contained therein to the same extent endorsed sponsors are required to do so under §§ 403.812(b) and 403.812(c)(1) prior to termination.

(a) General requirements. (1) A Part C organization and Medicare cost plan may not require enrollment in an endorsed discount card program as a condition for enrollment in its Part C plan or Medicare cost plan.

(2) A Part C organization may subsidize the enrollment fee for an endorsed discount card program, whether operated by the Part C organization or another endorsed sponsor, for individuals described in § 403.810(a), provided that any such benefit is reflected in the Part C organization's Adjusted Community Rate filing.

(b) Exclusive card sponsors. (1) A Medicare managed care organization may elect to become an exclusive card sponsor by limiting enrollment in its endorsed discount card program to individuals described in § 403.810(a) who are enrolled in any of its Medicare managed care plans. The Medicare managed care organization must be the applicant for endorsement in order to offer an exclusive card program. Such an election must be made at the time of application for endorsement.

(2) Except as noted in paragraphs (b)(3) and (b)(4) of this section, an exclusive card sponsor must comply with all requirements for endorsed sponsors noted in §§ 403.804 and 403.806.

(3) An exclusive card sponsor is deemed to meet or is exempt from certain specific requirements listed in § 403.806 as follows:

(i) An exclusive card sponsor is deemed to meet the pharmacy network requirement in § 403.806(f)(3) if its pharmacy network is not limited to mail-order pharmacies and is equivalent to the pharmacy network used in its Medicare managed care plan and such pharmacy network has been approved by the Secretary, or, if its Medicare managed care plan does not use a pharmacy network, the Secretary determines that the pharmacy network provides sufficient access to covered discount card drugs at negotiated prices for discount card enrollees under the standard set forth under 42 CFR 422.112 for a Part C organization described in section 1851(a)(2)(A) of the Act, or under 42 CFR 417.416(e) for a Medicare cost plan.

(ii) An exclusive card sponsor is deemed to meet the service area requirements in § 403.806(f)(1) and (f)(2) if it operates in a service area equivalent to its Medicare managed care plan's service area.

(iii) An exclusive card sponsor is deemed to meet the requirement for financial stability and business integrity in § 403.806(b) through compliance with § 422.400 of this chapter (if a Part C organization described in section 1851(a)(2)(A) of the Act) or compliance with §§ 417.120 and 417.122 of this chapter (if a Medicare cost plan).

(iv) An exclusive card sponsor is deemed to meet the covered lives requirement in § 403.806(a)(3).

(v) An exclusive card sponsor is deemed to meet the requirements of § 403.806(e)(2) if it ensures that transitional assistance funds are applied to, and only to, the cost to transitional assistance enrollees of any covered discount card drugs obtained from a network or mail order pharmacy included in the exclusive card sponsor's pharmacy network, and at the option of the exclusive card sponsor, any covered discount card drug obtained under an outpatient prescription drug benefit offered under the affiliated Medicare managed care plan, including any deductibles, co-payments, coinsurance, and other cost-sharing amounts for which transitional assistance enrollees are responsible under the Medicare managed care plan's outpatient prescription drug benefit.

(4) As the Secretary determines appropriate on a case-by-case basis, any additional requirements discussed in §§ 403.804 and 403.806, except for the requirements in §§ 403.812 and 403.813, may be waived or modified on behalf of an exclusive card sponsor if:

(i) The requirements are duplicative of or conflict with the requirements that a Medicare managed care organization must meet either under Part C or under section 1876 of Title XVIII of the Act; or

(ii) The waiver or modification is necessary to improve coordination between benefits under the Medicare Prescription Drug Discount Card and Transitional Assistance Program and the benefits either under Part C or under section 1876 of Title XVIII of the Act.

(iii) The applicant seeking to become an exclusive card sponsor requests such waivers or modifications in writing in a manner required by the Secretary.

(5) An exclusive card sponsor may conduct group enrollment according to the following rules:

(i) The exclusive card sponsor must seek CMS verification that its Medicare managed care members are individuals described in § 403.810(a) and enroll such individuals as a group into its exclusive card program.

(ii) The exclusive card sponsor must give all individuals it is enrolling as a group the opportunity to decline enrollment, and the opportunity to apply for transitional assistance.

(iii) The exclusive card sponsor may use a modified version of the standard enrollment form described in § 403.806(g)(3) or other CMS-approved process for group enrollment in its endorsed discount card program.

(6) An individual enrolled in a Medicare managed care plan offered by a Medicare managed care organization offering an exclusive card program to individuals enrolled in such Medicare managed care plan is subject to the following requirements:

(i) The individual may enroll only in the endorsed discount card program offered by his or her Medicare managed care organization.

(ii) If the exclusive card sponsor group elects to group enroll into an exclusive card program members of the Medicare managed plan, the individual must actively decline enrollment to avoid enrollment in the exclusive card program.

(c) Non-uniformity of Benefits. Implementation of the Medicare Prescription Drug Discount Card and Transitional Assistance Program, including the provision of transitional assistance and the payment or waiver of any enrollment fee by a Part C organization, will not be taken into account in applying the uniform premium and uniform benefits requirement in sections 1854(c) and 1854(f)(1)(D) of the Act and 42 CFR 422.100(d)(2) and 42 CFR 422.312(b)(2).

(a) Optional State payment of enrollment fee. (1) A State may enter into payment arrangements with endorsed sponsors to provide payment of some or all of endorsed discount card programs' enrollment fees for some or all of the State's individuals described in § 403.810(a) who are not transitional assistance enrollees, provided the enrollment fees are paid directly by the State to the endorsed sponsor.

(2) Expenditures made by a State for enrollment fees described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section must not be treated as State expenditures for which Federal matching payments are available under titles XIX or XXI of the Act.

(b) Optional State payment of coinsurance. (1) A State may enter into payment arrangements with pharmacies to provide payment of some or all of coinsurance amounts described in § 403.808(e) for some or all of the State's transitional assistance enrollees, provided the coinsurance amounts are paid directly by the State to the pharmacy.

(2) Expenditures made by a State for coinsurance described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section must not be treated as State expenditures for which Federal matching payments are available under titles XIX or XXI of the Act.

(c) Coinsurance for Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries. For transitional assistance enrollees who are qualified Medicare beneficiaries, any coinsurance liability under § 403.808(e) must not be treated as Medicare cost-sharing coinsurance, under section 1905(p)(3)(B) of the Act, for which a State would otherwise be required to pay.

(d) State data. (1) A State must provide data on a monthly basis in an electronic format as determined necessary by the Secretary to effectuate the verification of beneficiary eligibility for the Medicare Prescription Drug Discount Card and Transitional Assistance Program.

(2) Expenditures made by a State in complying with the requirements of paragraph (d)(1) of this section will be treated as State expenditures for which Federal matching payments are available under section 1903(a)(7) of the Act.

(a) In general. (1) An applicant for endorsement may submit an application to become a special endorsed sponsor for long-term care and/or for I/T/U pharmacies.

(2) Of qualified applicants, the Secretary will select at least two of the best-qualified applicants for special endorsement for long-term care and at least two of the best-qualified applicants for special endorsement for I/T/U pharmacies.

(3) Applicants for special endorsement for long-term care must demonstrate in their applications that they meet the requirements in paragraph (b) of this section.

(4) Applicants for special endorsement for I/T/U pharmacies must demonstrate in their applications that they meet the requirements in paragraph (d) of this section.

(b) Long-term care. A special endorsed sponsor for long-term care must—

(1) Apply transitional assistance toward the cost of covered discount card drugs obtained by transitional assistance enrollees who reside in long-term care facilities and who receive such prescription drugs through long-term care pharmacies;

(2) Offer contractual arrangements to any long-term care pharmacy seeking reimbursement from transitional assistance for covered discount card drugs provided by such pharmacy to transitional assistance enrollees who reside in long-term care facilities;

(3) Process any submitted claims from network pharmacies and out-of-network long-term care pharmacies that supply covered discount card drugs to transitional assistance enrollees who reside in long-term care facilities, when such enrollees have unspent transitional assistance remaining;

(4) Include special terms and conditions in its contracts with network pharmacies that are long-term care pharmacies to facilitate access to and the administration of transitional assistance to transitional assistance enrollees residing in long-term care facilities, including, but not limited to the following—

(i) Waiving penalties against long-term care pharmacies for submitting late claims to the special endorsed sponsor due to the pharmacy's coordination of benefits activities; and

(ii) Permitting a long-term care pharmacy to limit its services to only transitional assistance enrollees who reside in a long-term care facility served by the long-term care pharmacy.

(5) Except as noted in paragraph (c) of this section, comply with all requirements for endorsed sponsors noted in §§ 403.804 and 403.806.

(c) Waiver of requirements. (1) The following requirements will not apply to or will be waived for special endorsed sponsors providing transitional assistance to long-term care residents:

(i) Section 403.806(d) (relating to the prescription drug offering) shall not apply to long-term care pharmacies in the special endorsed sponsor's network; and

(ii) Section 403.806(e)(4) (requiring information about the amount of transitional assistance remaining) shall not apply to long-term care pharmacies in the special endorsed sponsor's network.

(2)(i) As the Secretary determines appropriate on a case-by-case basis, any additional requirements discussed in §§ 403.804 and 403.806, except for the requirements in §§ 403.812 and 403.813, may be waived or modified on behalf of a special endorsed sponsor for long-term care if the waiver or modification is—

(A) Necessary to enable the applicant to either initiate enrollment activities under the special endorsement within 6 months of enactment of section 1860D-31 of the Act, or accommodate the unique needs of long-term care pharmacies; or

(B) Compliance with the requirement(s) in question would be impracticable or inefficient.

(ii) Applicants to become special endorsed sponsors for long-term care must request such waivers or modifications in writing in a manner required by the Secretary.

(d) I/T/U pharmacies. A special endorsed sponsor for I/T/U pharmacies must—

(1) Apply transitional assistance toward the cost of covered discount card drugs obtained by transitional assistance enrollees who are American Indians and Alaska Natives and who receive prescription drugs through I/T/U pharmacies as allowed under paragraph (d)(2) of this section;

(2) Offer contractual arrangements to any I/T/U pharmacy that is in the special endorsed sponsor's service area and seeking reimbursement from transitional assistance for covered discount card drugs provided by such pharmacy to transitional assistance enrollees who are also American Indians/Alaska Natives;

(3) Include special terms and conditions in its contracts with network I/T/U pharmacies to facilitate access to and the administration of transitional assistance for transitional assistance enrollees who are American Indians/Alaska Natives, including, but not limited to the following:

(i) Permitting an I/T/U pharmacy to limit its services to only those transitional assistance enrollees who are American Indians/Alaska Natives, and

(ii) Allowing an I/T/U pharmacy to select which drugs to stock, which may be a more limited set than other retail pharmacies.

(4) Except as noted in paragraph (e) of this section, comply with all requirements for endorsed sponsors noted in §§ 403.804 and 403.806.

(e) Waiver of requirements. (1) The following requirements will not apply to or will be waived for special endorsed sponsors providing transitional assistance through I/T/U pharmacies:

(i) Section 403.806(d) (relating to the prescription drug offering) shall not apply to I/T/U pharmacies in the special endorsed sponsor's network; and

(ii) Section 403.806(e)(4) (requiring information about the amount of transitional assistance remaining) shall not apply to I/T/U pharmacies in the special endorsed sponsor's network.

(2)(i) As the Secretary determines appropriate on a case-by-case basis, any additional requirements discussed in §§ 403.804 and 403.806, except for the requirements in §§ 403.812 and 403.813, may be waived or modified on behalf of a special endorsed sponsor for I/T/U pharmacies if the waiver or modification is—

(A) Necessary to enable the applicant to either initiate enrollment activities under the special endorsement within 6 months of enactment of section 1860D-31 of the Act, or accommodate the unique needs of I/T/U pharmacies; or

(B) Compliance with the requirement(s) in question would be impracticable or inefficient.

(ii) Applicants to become special endorsed sponsors for I/T/U pharmacies must request such waivers or modifications in writing in a manner required by the Secretary.

(a) In general. (1) An applicant for endorsement may submit an application to become a special endorsed sponsor for all of the territories.

(2) Of qualified applicants, the Secretary will select at least one of the best-qualified applicants to receive a special endorsement for the territories.

(3) Applicants for special endorsement for the territories must demonstrate in their applications that they meet the requirements in paragraph (b) of this section.

(b) Requirements—(1) Negotiated prices. A special endorsed sponsor for residents of the territories must provide access to negotiated prices in the territories.

(2) Transitional assistance. Any transitional assistance in the territories must be in accordance with paragraph (e) of this section.

(3) Requirements, exception. Except as specified in paragraph (c) of this section, a special endorsed sponsor for the territories must meet the requirements of §§ 403.804 and 403.806.

(c) Waiver of requirements and alternative requirements. (1) Section 403.806(d)(8) (requiring information about price differentials) shall not apply to pharmacies located in the territories and which are in the special endorsed sponsor's pharmacy network.

(2) Sections 403.806(f)(2) and (f)(3) will be deemed met if the special endorsed sponsor makes a good faith effort to secure the participation of retail and mail order pharmacies throughout a territory.

(3)(i) As the Secretary determines appropriate on a case-by-case basis, any additional requirements discussed in §§ 403.804 and 403.806, except for the requirements in §§ 403.812 and 403.813, may be waived or modified on behalf of a special endorsed sponsor for the territories if—

(A) Such waiver is necessary to enable the applicant to either initiate enrollment activities under the special endorsement within 6 months of enactment of section 1860D-31 of the Act, or accommodate the unique needs of pharmacies in the territories; or

(B) Compliance with the requirement(s) in question would be impracticable or inefficient.

(ii) Applicants to become special endorsed sponsors for the territories must request such waivers or modifications in writing in a manner required by the Secretary.

(d) Other exceptions. A special endorsed sponsor for the territories may enroll in its endorsed discount card program Medicaid enrollees with coverage for outpatient prescription drugs, as described in § 403.810(a)(2).

(e) Transitional assistance provided by Territories. (1) Transitional assistance in the territories may be administered only according to a plan submitted by a territory and approved by CMS.

(2) Territories choosing to provide transitional assistance must submit a plan to CMS within 90 days of the publication of this regulation. The plan must—

(i) Describe how funds allocated to the territory are to be used to cover the cost of covered discount card drugs obtained by individuals who reside in the territory, who are entitled to benefits under Medicare Part A or enrolled under Medicare Part B, and who have income at or below 135 percent of the poverty line for the contiguous United States; and

(ii) Describe how the territory will ensure that amounts received under the allotment are to be used only to provide covered discount card drugs to those individuals determined eligible for transitional assistance, as described in paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this section, and

(iii) Provide such written assurance for the requirements in paragraph (e)(2)(ii) of this section.

(3) CMS will review and approve plans submitted and make allotments to territories with approved plans.

(4) CMS may request reports or information to substantiate that the territories have administered the program consistent with the territory's approved transitional assistance plan.

(a) Intermediate sanctions. (1) For the violations listed in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, the following intermediate sanctions may be imposed on any endorsed sponsor:

(i) Suspension of enrollment of Medicare beneficiaries.

(ii) Suspension of information and outreach activities to Medicare beneficiaries.

(2) Duration of sanctions. The intermediate sanctions continue in effect until CMS is satisfied that the deficiency on which the determination was based has been corrected and is not likely to recur.

(3) Sanctionable violations. The violations for which intermediate sanctions may be imposed are as follows:

(i) Substantial failure to maintain a contracted retail pharmacy network meeting the requirements of § 403.806(f);

(ii) Substantial failure to comply with CMS Information and Outreach Guidelines;

(iii) Substantial failure to provide discount card enrollees with negotiated prices consistent with information reported to CMS for the price comparison Web site and/or reported by the endorsed sponsor;

(iv) Except during the week of November 15, 2004 (which coincides with the beginning of the annual coordinated election period), substantial failure to ensure that the negotiated price for a covered discount card drug does not exceed an amount proportionate to the change in the drug's average wholesale price (AWP), and/or an amount proportionate to changes in the card sponsor's cost structure (including material changes to any discounts, rebates, or other price concessions the sponsor receives from a pharmaceutical manufacturer or pharmacy);

(v) Charging drug card enrollees additional fees beyond a $30 enrollment fee;

(vi) Charging transitional assistance enrollees any enrollment fee;

(vii) Charging a coinsurance more than 5 percent for those at or below 100 percent of the poverty line, or 10 percent for those above 100 percent but at or below 135 percent of the poverty line;

(viii) Substantial failure to administer properly the transitional assistance funding for transitional assistance enrollees;

(ix) Substantial failure to provide CMS or its designees with requested information related to the endorsed sponsor's endorsed discount card operations; or

(x) Failure to otherwise substantially comply with the requirements of this subpart, including failing to perform the operational requirements of this program or the failure to submit an acceptable plan of correction within the timeframe specified by CMS.

(4) Written notice of proposed sanctions. (i) Prior to imposing sanctions, CMS will send a written notice to the endorsed sponsor stating the nature and basis of the proposed sanction.

(ii) CMS will send a copy of the notice in paragraph (a)(4)(i) of this section to the Office of the Inspector General.

(iii) CMS will allow the endorsed sponsor 15 days from the receipt of notice to provide evidence that it has not committed an act or omission that may fairly be characterized as a basis for sanction.

(iv) Should an endorsed sponsor present evidence described in paragraph (a)(4)(iii) of this section and by the time limit described in that paragraph, a CMS official not involved in the original sanction determination shall review the evidence and provide the endorsed sponsor a concise written decision setting forth the factual and legal basis for the decision that affirms or rescinds the original determination.

(5) Effective date of sanction. (i) A sanction is effective 15 days after the date that the endorsed sponsor is notified of the sanction or, if the endorsed sponsor timely seeks reconsideration of that sanction decision, on the date specified in the notice of CMS's reconsideration determination.

(ii) The sanction remains in effect until CMS notifies the endorsed sponsor that CMS is satisfied that the basis for imposing the sanction has been corrected and is not likely to recur.

(b) Civil monetary penalties—(1) OIG penalties. The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) may impose civil monetary penalties in accordance with 42 CFR parts 1003 and 1005 in addition to, or in place of, sanctions that CMS may impose, as described in paragraph (a) of this section, against an endorsed sponsor whom it determines has knowingly—

(i) Misrepresented or falsified information in information and outreach or comparable material provided to program enrollee or other persons;

(ii) Charged a program enrollee in violation of the terms of the endorsement contract; or

(iii) Used transitional assistance funds in any manner that is inconsistent with the purpose of the transitional assistance program.

(2) CMS penalties. If CMS determines that an endorsed sponsor has engaged in conduct that it knows or should know constitutes a violation as described in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, where the failure to perform involves the operational requirements of the program, CMS may impose civil monetary penalties in accordance with 42 CFR parts 1003 and 1005 in addition to, or in place of, the sanctions that CMS may impose, as described in paragraph (a) of this section.

(3) CMS or the OIG may impose civil monetary penalties of no more than $10,000 for each violation.

(c) Termination of endorsement by CMS. (1) CMS may terminate the endorsement contract at any time with notice on the following bases:

(i) Any of the bases for the imposition of intermediate sanctions as stated in paragraph (a)(3) of this section; or

(ii) The endorsed sponsor engaged in false or misleading information and outreach practices; or

(iii) The endorsed sponsor fails to comply with the requirement of § 403.804(e).

(2) CMS shall provide the endorsed sponsor written notice of termination 30 days prior to the CMS-determined effective date of the termination at which time the endorsed sponsor must do the following:

(i) Provide its discount card enrollees notice of the termination within 10 days of receiving notice from CMS;

(ii) Continue to provide services to its discount card enrollees for 90 days after the discount card enrollees were sent the notice of termination from the endorsed sponsor; and

(iii) Suspend all information and outreach and enrollment activities once enrollees have received the notice of termination.

(3) Corrective action plan. Before terminating a contract, CMS shall provide the endorsed sponsor with reasonable opportunity to develop and receive CMS approval of a corrective action plan to correct the deficiencies that are the basis of the proposed termination.

(d) Termination by endorsed sponsor—(1) Cause for termination. The endorsed sponsor may terminate its endorsement contract if CMS fails substantially to carry out the terms of the contract.

(2) Card sponsor notice. The endorsed sponsor must give advance notice as follows:

(i) To CMS, at least 90 days prior to the intended date of termination. This notice must specify the reasons why the endorsed sponsor is requesting contract termination; and

(ii) To its discount card enrollees, by mail, at least 60 days prior to the termination effective date. This notice must include a written description of alternative endorsed discount card programs that serve the discount card enrollee's address.

(3) Effective date of termination. The effective date of the termination is determined by CMS and is at least 90 days after the date CMS receives the endorsed sponsor's notice of intent to terminate.

(e) Termination by mutual consent. (1) A contract may be modified or terminated at any time by written mutual consent.

(2) If the contract is terminated by mutual consent, the endorsed sponsor must provide notice to its discount card enrollees as provided in paragraph (d)(2) of this section.

(3) If the contract is modified by mutual consent, the endorsed sponsor must provide notice to its discount card enrollees of any changes that CMS determines are appropriate for notification within timeframes specified by CMS.

(f) Appeal of contract determinations—(1) Scope. This section establishes the procedures for reviewing the following contract determinations:

(i) A determination that an applicant is not qualified to enter into a contract with CMS under section 1860D-31 of the Act; and

(i) A determination to terminate a contract with an endorsed sponsor in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section.

(2) Notice of determination. When CMS makes an initial contract determination, it gives the endorsed sponsor or applicant written notice specifying—

(i) The reasons for the determination; and

(ii) The endorsed sponsor's or applicant's right to request reconsideration.

(3) Effect of contract determination. The contract determination is final and binding unless a timely request for a reconsideration hearing is filed under this section.

(4) Right to reconsideration. An endorsed sponsor whose contract is terminated or an applicant denied endorsement may request a hearing for reconsideration of the CMS contract determination.

(5) Method and place for filing a request. A request for a reconsideration hearing must be made in writing and filed with the CMS Central Office.

(6) Time for filing a request. The request for a reconsideration hearing must be filed within 15 days from the date of the notice of the initial determination.

(7) Appointment of hearing officer. CMS shall appoint a hearing officer to conduct the reconsideration. The hearing officer shall be a representative of the Administrator and not otherwise a party to the contract determination.

(8) Conduct of hearing. The endorsed sponsor or applicant may be represented by counsel and may present evidence and examine witnesses. A complete recording of the proceedings will be made and transcribed.

(9) Reconsideration determination. A reconsideration determination is a new determination that—

(i) Is based on a review of the contract determination, the evidence and findings upon which it was based, and any other written evidence submitted before notice of the reconsidered determination is mailed, including facts relating to the status of the endorsed sponsor subsequent to the contract determination; and

(ii) Affirms, reverses, or modifies the initial contract determination.

(10) Notice of reconsidered determination. As soon as practicable after the close of the hearing, the hearing officer issues a written reconsideration determination that contains the following:

(i) Findings with respect to the applicant's qualifications to enter into or an endorsed sponsor's qualifications to remain under a contract with CMS under section 1860D-31 of the Act;

(ii) A statement of the specific reasons for the reconsidered determination.

(11) Effect of reconsidered determination. A reconsidered determination is final and binding on the parties and is not subject to judicial review.

(g) Compliance with HIPAA. Failure of an endorsed sponsor to comply with HIPAA and/or the standards, implementation specifications, and requirements in 45 CFR parts 160, 162, and 164, as established in § 403.812, shall be a violation of HIPAA and may be enforced under sections 1176 and 1177 of the Act.

(a) A Transitional Assistance Account is created within the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund and kept separate from all other funds within that fund.

(b) The Managing Trustee of the Transitional Assistance Account shall pay on a monthly basis from the Account the amounts certified by CMS as necessary to make payments for transitional assistance as allowed in § 403.808.

(c) Endorsed sponsors must routinely account to CMS for the transitional assistance provided to the transitional assistance enrollees for finalized (not pending, or denied) claims up to the allowed balance provided by CMS to the sponsor.

(d) Payment transactions will be audited by the Secretary or his agent.

(e) Federal funding in excess of the amount of the balance included in CMS's system is not permitted.