Medicare program; peer review organizations; revised scopes of work for Maryland; New Jersey; the Virgin Islands; and Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands--HCFA.

This notice describes requirements for the third Scope of Work for Utilization and Quality Control Peer Review Organizations (PROs). Specifically, this notice: (a) Identifies the requirements of the third Scopes of Work in Maryland and the Virgin Islands; (b) Recognizes the continuing requirements of the Scope of Work currently in effect in the PRO area of Guam/American Samoa/Northern Mariana Islands/the Trust Territory of the Pacific; and (c) Announces a change in the Scope of Work in effect in New Jersey. This notice also implements section 4091(b)(1) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (Pub. L. 100-203), which requires us to publish a new policy or procedure adopted by the Secretary that affects substantially the performance of contract obligations at least 30 days before the date the policy or procedure is to be used. It also implements other provisions of Pub. L. 100-203, as well as requirements of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986.