PUBLIC LAW 105-33—AUG. 5, 1997 111 STAT. 389 pursuant to section 6109 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986), supplied to the Secretary pursuant to subsection (a)(3) or section 1124(c) to the extent necessary for verification of such information in accordance with paragraph (2). "(2) VERIFICATION.—The Commissioner of Social Security and the Secretary of the Treasury shall verify the accuracy of, or correct, the information supplied by the Secretary to such official pursuant to paragraph (1), and shall report such verifications or corrections to the Secretary. "(3) FEES FOR VERIFICATION.— The Secretary shall reimburse the Commissioner and Secretary of the Treasury, at a rate negotiated between the Secretary and such official, for the costs incurred by such official in performing the verification and correction services described in this subsection.". (d) REPORT.—Before the amendments made by this section may become effective, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall submit to Congress a report on steps the Secretary has taken to assure the confidentiality of social security account numbers that will be provided to the Secretary under such amendments. (e) EFFECTIVE DATES.— (1) DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS. —The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to the application of conditions of participation, and entering into and renewal of contracts and agreements, occurring more than 90 days after the date of submission of the report under subsection (d). (2) OTHER PROVIDERS.— The amendments made by subsection (b) shall apply to payment for items and services furnished more than 90 days after the date of submission of such report. SEC. 4314. ADVISORY OPINIONS REGARDING CERTAIN PHYSICIAN SELF-REFERRAL PROVISIONS. Section 1877(g) (42 U.S.C. 1395nn(g)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: " (6) ADVISORY OPINIONS. — "(A) IN GENERAL.— The Secretary shall issue written advisory opinions concerning whether a referral relating to designated health services (other than clinical laboratory services) is prohibited under this section. Each advisory opinion issued by the Secretary shall be binding as to the Secretary and the party or parties requesting the opinion. "(B) APPLICATION OF CERTAIN RULES.— The Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, apply the rules under subsections (b)(3) and (b)(4) and take into account the regulations promulgated under subsection (b)(5) of section 1128D in the issuance of advisory opinions under this paragraph. "(C) REGULATIONS.—In order to implement this paragraph in a timely manner, the Secretary may promulgate regulations that take effect on an interim basis, after notice and pending opportunity for public comment. "(D) APPLICABILITY.—T his paragraph shall apply to requests for advisory opinions made after the date which is 90 days after the date of the enactment of this paragraph and before the close of the period described in section 1128D(b)(6).". 42 USC 1320a-3 note. 42 USC 1320a-3 note.
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