No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section provides for payment of reasonable attorney fees and litigation costs by covered contractors to small business suppliers of durable medical equipment that win favorable final appeals of initial determinations found clearly erroneous, unsupported by substantial evidence, or contrary to applicable law. Suppliers must apply within 30 days after the appeal decision; administrative law judges must issue non-appealable determinations within 60 days using the lodestar method, with fees split evenly when multiple contractors are involved. The provision excludes cases involving missing documentation, billing noncompliance, or changes in law after the initial determination, and requires clawback of fees obtained through fraud.