SEC. 1759. BILLING AGENTS, CLEARINGHOUSES, OR OTHER ALTERNATE PAYEES REQUIRED TO REGISTER UNDER MEDICAID.

[a] In General- Section- 1902[a] of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 42 U.S.C. 1396a[a]], as amended by sections 1631[b], 1703, 1753, and 1757, is further amended--

[1] in paragraph [76]; by striking at the end 'and';

[2] in paragraph [77], by striking the period at the end and inserting 'and'; and

[3] by inserting after paragraph [77] the following new paragraph:

'[78] provide that any agent, clearinghouse, or other alternate payee that submits claims on behalf of a health care provider must register with the State and the Secretary in a form and manner specified by the Secretary under section 1866[j][1][D].'.

[b] Denial of Payment- Section- 1903[i] of such Act [42 U.S.C. 1396b[i]], as amended by section 1753, is amended--

[1] by striking 'or' at the end of paragraph [24];

[2] by striking the period at the end of paragraph [25] and inserting '; or'; and

[3] by inserting after paragraph [25] the following new paragraph:

'[26] with respect to any amount paid to a billing agent, clearinghouse, or other alternate payee that is not registered with the State and the Secretary as required under section 1902[a][78].'.

[c] Effective Date-

[1] Except as provided in paragraph [2], the amendments made by this section shall apply to claims submitted on or after January 1, 2012, without regard to whether or not final regulations to carry out such amendments have been promulgated by such date.

[2] In the case of a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation [other than legislation appropriating funds] in order for the plan to meet the additional requirement imposed by the amendments made by this section, the State plan or child health plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title solely on the basis of its failure to meet this additional requirement before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act. For purposes of the previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of such session shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of the State legislature.