42 CFR §417.474
- (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.