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U.S. Code as of:
01/19/04
Section 1395b-5. Beneficiary incentive programs
(a) Repealed. Pub. L. 105-33, title IV, Sec. 4311(b)(2), Aug. 5,
1997, 111 Stat. 386
(b) Program to collect information on fraud and abuse
(1) Establishment of program
Not later than 3 months after August 21, 1996, the Secretary
shall establish a program under which the Secretary shall
encourage individuals to report to the Secretary information on
individuals and entities who are engaging in or who have engaged
in acts or omissions which constitute grounds for the imposition
of a sanction under section 1320a-7, 1320a-7a, or 1320a-7b of
this title, or who have otherwise engaged in fraud and abuse
against the Medicare program under this subchapter for which
there is a sanction provided under law. The program shall
discourage provision of, and not consider, information which is
frivolous or otherwise not relevant or material to the imposition
of such a sanction.
(2) Payment of portion of amounts collected
If an individual reports information to the Secretary under the
program established under paragraph (1) which serves as the basis
for the collection by the Secretary or the Attorney General of
any amount of at least $100 (other than any amount paid as a
penalty under section 1320a-7b of this title), the Secretary may
pay a portion of the amount collected to the individual (under
procedures similar to those applicable under section 7623 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to payments to individuals
providing information on violations of such Code).
(c) Program to collect information on program efficiency
(1) Establishment of program
Not later than 3 months after August 21, 1996, the Secretary
shall establish a program under which the Secretary shall
encourage individuals to submit to the Secretary suggestions on
methods to improve the efficiency of the Medicare program.
(2) Payment of portion of program savings
If an individual submits a suggestion to the Secretary under
the program established under paragraph (1) which is adopted by
the Secretary and which results in savings to the program, the
Secretary may make a payment to the individual of such amount as
the Secretary considers appropriate.
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