Administration officials said the Medicare provisions of the budget agreement were in flux today.

Under the Medicare provisions, the hospice benefit through the first six months is broken up into two 90 day benefit periods.

In concept, the proposals are very similar to the Medicare provisions of the budget bill that Mr. Clinton vetoed in 1995.

The House tax package does not contain the Medicare provision, and whether the change might be included in a compromise package is uncertain.

The Medicare provisions are not in the House bill and could lead to some difficulty in conference.

The Medicare provisions of the Senate bill are better for hospitals, especially teaching hospitals, of which there are many in the New York metropolitan area.

Various Medicare provisions and proposals that have been in and out of favor with Congress will be evaluated in terms of their projected effect on a retiree's financial planning.

The health care industry strongly supports the Medicare provisions of the bill.

Lobbyists for the medical profession worked their will in the Medicare provisions of the budget legislation.

This meant the budget office was slowed in making technical estimates, especially those involving "new revenue provisions and complex new Medicare provisions," Mr. Darman said.