There is hereby established the Medicaid Integrity Program (in this section referred to as the “Program”) under which the Secretary shall promote the integrity of the program under this subchapter by entering into contracts in accordance with this section with eligible entities, or otherwise, to carry out the activities described in subsection (b).
An entity is eligible to enter into a contract under the Program to carry out any of the activities described in subsection (b) if the entity satisfies the requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3).
The Secretary shall by regulation provide for the limitation of a contractor’s liability for actions taken to carry out a contract under the Program, and such regulation shall, to the extent the Secretary finds appropriate, employ the same or comparable standards and other substantive and procedural provisions as are contained in section 1320c–6 of this title.
With respect to the 5-fiscal year period beginning with fiscal year 2006, and each such 5-fiscal year period that begins thereafter, the Secretary shall establish a comprehensive plan for ensuring the integrity of the program established under this subchapter by combatting fraud, waste, and abuse.
Each 5-fiscal year plan established under paragraph (1) shall be developed by the Secretary in consultation with the Attorney General, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Comptroller General of the United States, the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, and State officials with responsibility for controlling provider fraud and abuse under State plans under this subchapter.
Amounts appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) shall remain available until expended.
The Secretary may use amounts appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) to pay for transportation and the travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5 while away from their homes or regular places of business, of individuals described in subsection (b)(4) who attend education, training, or consultative activities conducted under the authority of that subsection.
From the amounts appropriated under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall increase by 100, or such number as determined necessary by the Secretary to carry out the Program, the number of full-time equivalent employees whose duties consist solely of protecting the integrity of the Medicaid program established under this section by providing effective support and assistance to States to combat provider fraud and abuse.