HHS enforces the reporting and rebate requirements described in subparts A and B, including but not limited to:

(a) The requirement that such reports be submitted timely.

(b) The requirement that the data reported complies with the definitions and criteria set forth in this part.

(c) The requirement that rebates be paid timely and accurately.

(a) Notice of Audit. HHS will provide 30 days advance notice of its intent to conduct an audit of an issuer.

(b) Conferences. All audits will include an entrance conference at which the scope of the audit will be presented and an exit conference at which the initial audit findings will be discussed.

(c) Preliminary Audit Findings. HHS will share its preliminary audit findings with the issuer, which will then have 30 days to respond to such findings. HHS may extend, for good cause, the time for an issuer to submit such a response.

(d) Final Audit Findings. If the issuer does not dispute the preliminary findings, the audit findings will become final. Alternatively, if the issuer responds to the preliminary findings, HHS will review and consider such response and finalize the audit findings.

(e) Corrective actions. HHS will send a copy of the final audit findings to the issuer as well as any corrective actions that issuer must undertake as a result of the audit findings.

(f) Order to pay rebates. If HHS determines as the result of an audit that an issuer has failed to pay rebates it is obligated to pay pursuant to this part, it may order the issuer to pay those rebates, together with interest from the date the rebates were due, in accordance with § 158.240(d) of this part.

(a) If a State conducts an audit of an issuer's MLR reporting and rebate obligations, HHS may, in the exercise of its discretion, accept the findings of that audit if HHS determines the following:

(1) The laws of the State permit public release of the findings of audits of issuers;

(2) The State's audit reports on the validity of the data regarding expenses and premiums that the issuer reported to the Secretary, including the appropriateness of the allocations of expenses used in such reporting and whether the activities associated with the issuer's reported expenditures for quality improving activities meet the definition of such activities;

(3) The State's audit reports on the accuracy of rebate calculations and the timeliness and accuracy of rebate payments;

(4) The State submits final audit reports to HHS within 30 days of finalization; and

(5) The State submits preliminary or draft audit reports to HHS within 6 months of the completion of audit field work unless they have already been finalized and reported under paragraph (a)(4) of this section.

(b) If HHS accepts an audit conducted by a State, and if the issuer makes additional rebate payments as a result of the audit, then HHS shall accept those payments as satisfying the issuer's obligation to pay rebates pursuant to this part.