Medicare program; competitive acquisition of outpatient drugs and biologicals under Part B. Interim final rule with comment period.

This interim final rule with comment period implements provisions of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 that require the implementation of a competitive acquisition program for certain Medicare Part B drugs not paid on a cost or prospective payment system basis. Beginning January 1, 2006, physicians will generally be given a choice between obtaining these drugs from vendors selected through a competitive bidding process or directly purchasing these drugs and being paid under the average sales price system.