SEC. 1644. BILLING AGENTS, CLEARINGHOUSES, OR OTHER ALTERNATE PAYEES REQUIRED TO REGISTER UNDER MEDICARE.

[a] Medicare- Section- 1866[j][1] of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 1395cc[j][1]] is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

'[D] BILLING AGENTS AND CLEARINGHOUSES REQUIRED TO BE REGISTER UNDER MEDICARE- Any agent, clearinghouse, or other alternate payee that submits claims on behalf of a health care provider must be registered with the Secretary in a form and manner specified by the Secretary.'.

[b] Medicaid- For a similar provision with respect to the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act, see section 1759.

[c] Effective Date- The amendment made by subsection [a] shall apply to claims submitted on or after January 1, 2012.