PDP regions; submission of bids; plan approval

42 U.S. Code § 1395w-111. PDP regions; submission of bids; plan approval

(a) Establishment of PDP regions; service areas
(1) Coverage of entire PDP region
The service area for a prescription drug plan shall consist of an entire PDP region established under paragraph (2).
(2) Establishment of PDP regions
(A) In general
The Secretary shall establish, and may revise, PDP regions in a manner that is consistent with the requirements for the establishment and revision of MA regions under subparagraphs (B) and (C) of section 1395w–27a(a)(2) of this title.
(B) Relation to MA regions
To the extent practicable, PDP regions shall be the same as MA regions under section 1395w–27a(a)(2) of this title. The Secretary may establish PDP regions which are not the same as MA regions if the Secretary determines that the establishment of different regions under this part would improve access to benefits under this part.
(C) Authority for territories
The Secretary shall establish, and may revise, PDP regions for areas in States that are not within the 50 States or the District of Columbia.
(3) National plan
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as preventing a prescription drug plan from being offered in more than one PDP region (including all PDP regions).
(b) Submission of bids, premiums, and related information
(1) In general
A PDP sponsor shall submit to the Secretary information described in paragraph (2) with respect to each prescription drug plan it offers. Such information shall be submitted at the same time and in a similar manner to the manner in which information described in paragraph (6) of section 1395w–24(a) of this title is submitted by an MA organization under paragraph (1) of such section.
(2) Information describedThe information described in this paragraph is information on the following:
(A) Coverage provided
The prescription drug coverage provided under the plan, including the deductible and other cost-sharing.
(B) Actuarial value
The actuarial value of the qualified prescription drug coverage in the region for a part D eligible individual with a national average risk profile for the factors described in section 1395w–115(c)(1)(A) of this title (as specified by the Secretary).
(C) BidInformation on the bid, including an actuarial certification of—
(i)
the basis for the actuarial value described in subparagraph (B) assumed in such bid;
(ii)
the portion of such bid attributable to basic prescription drug coverage and, if applicable, the portion of such bid attributable to supplemental benefits;
(iii)
assumptions regarding the reinsurance subsidy payments provided under section 1395w–115(b) of this title subtracted from the actuarial value to produce such bid; and
(iv)
administrative expenses assumed in the bid.
(D) Service area
The service area for the plan.
(E) Level of risk assumed
(i) In general
Whether the PDP sponsor requires a modification of risk level under clause (ii) and, if so, the extent of such modification. Any such modification shall apply with respect to all prescription drug plans offered by a PDP sponsor in a PDP region. This subparagraph shall not apply to an MA–PD plan.
(ii) Risk levels describedA modification of risk level under this clause may consist of one or more of the following:
(I) Increase in Federal percentage assumed in initial risk corridor
An equal percentage point increase in the percents applied under subparagraphs (B)(i), (B)(ii)(I), (C)(i), and (C)(ii)(I) of section 1395w–115(e)(2) of this title. In no case shall the application of previous sentence prevent the application of a higher percentage under section 1395w–115(e)(2)(B)(iii) [1] of this title.
(II) Increase in Federal percentage assumed in second risk corridor
An equal percentage point increase in the percents applied under subparagraphs (B)(ii)(II) and (C)(ii)(II) of section 1395w–115(e)(2) of this title.
(III) Decrease in size of risk corridors
A decrease in the threshold risk percentages specified in section 1395w–115(e)(3)(C) of this title.
(F) Additional information
Such other information as the Secretary may require to carry out this part.
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