§ 422.109 Effect of national coverage determinations (NCDs) and legislative changes in benefits; coverage of clinical trials and A and B device trials.

(a) Definitions. The term significant cost, as it relates to a particular NCD or legislative change in benefits, means either of the following:

(1) The average cost of furnishing a single service exceeds a cost threshold that—

(i) For calendar years 1998 and 1999, is $100,000; and

(ii) For calendar year 2000 and subsequent calendar years, is the preceding year's dollar threshold adjusted to reflect the national per capita growth percentage described in § 422.308(a).

(2) The estimated cost of Medicare services furnished as a result of a particular NCD or legislative change in benefits represents at least 0.1 percent of the national average per capita costs.

(b) General rule. If CMS determines and announces that an individual NCD or legislative change in benefits meets the criteria for significant cost described in paragraph (a) of this section, a MA organization is not required to assume risk for the costs of that service or benefit until the contract year for which payments are appropriately adjusted to take into account the cost of the NCD service or legislative change in benefits. If CMS determines that an NCD or legislative change in benefits does not meet the “significant cost” threshold described in § 422.109(a), the MA organization is required to provide coverage for the NCD or legislative change in benefits and assume risk for the costs of that service or benefit as of the effective date stated in the NCD or specified in the legislation.