42 CFR § 417.474 - Effective date and term of contract.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t42/s417.474"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "42 CFR § 417.474 - Effective date and term of contract."
title_number: 42
title_name: "Public Health"
section_number: "417.474"
section_name: "Effective date and term of contract."
chapter_name: "CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES"
subchapter_number: "B"
subchapter_name: "MEDICARE PROGRAM"
part_number: "417"
part_name: "HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS, COMPETITIVE MEDICAL PLANS, AND HEALTH CARE PREPAYMENT PLANS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "42 U.S.C. 1302 and 1395hh, and 300e, 300e-5, and 300e-9, and 31 U.S.C. 9701."
cfr_part: "417"
---


# 417.474 Effective date and term of contract.

(a) *Effective date.* The contract must specify its effective date, which may not be earlier than the date it is signed by both CMS and the HMO or CMP.

(b) *Term.* The contract must specify the duration of its term as follows:

(1) For the initial term, at least 12 months, but no more than 23 months.

(2) For any subsequent term, 12 months.

[60 FR 45680, Sept. 1, 1995]