Medicare program; appeal rights and procedures for beneficiaries enrolled in prepaid health care plans--HCFA. Final rule

This final rule modifies or establishes administrative review procedures for Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in health maintenance organizations (HMOs), competitive medical plans (CMPs), and health care prepayment plans (HCPPs). Specifically, it requires that an HMO or CMP complete a reconsideration, requested by a Medicare enrollee for denied services or claims, within 60 days from the date of receipt of the reconsideration request; extends to HMO and CMP enrollees the right to request immediate review by a Utilization and Quality Control Peer Review Organization of an HMO's, CMP's, or hospital's determination that an inpatient hospital stay is no longer necessary; and requires an HCPP to establish administrative review procedures for its Medicare enrollees who are dissatisfied with decisions on denied services or claims.