Health and Human Services Department, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
This proposed rule would set forth an update to the 60-day national episode rates and the national per-visit amounts under the Medicare prospective payment system for home health agencies. In addition, this proposed rule would set forth policy changes related to Medicare payment for certain durable medical equipment for the purpose of implementing sections 1834(a)(5) and 1834(a)(7) of the Social Security Act, as amended by section 5101 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. We are also inviting comments on a number of issues including payments based on reporting quality data and health information technology, as well as how to improve data transparency for consumers.
Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 42 CFR Parts 414 and 484 [CMS-1304-P] RIN 0938-AN76 AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS. ACTION: Proposed rule. SUMMARY: This proposed rule would set forth an update to the 60-day national episode rates and the national per-visit amounts under the Medicare prospective payment system for home health agencies. In addition, this proposed rule would set forth policy changes related to Medicare payment for certain durable medical equipment for the purpose of implementing sections 1834(a)(5) and 1834(a)(7) of the Social Security Act, as amended by section 5101 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. We are also inviting comments on a number of issues including payments based on reporting quality data and health information technology, as well as how to improve data transparency for consumers. DATES: To be assured consideration, comments must be received at one of the addresses provided below, no later than 5 p.m. on September 25, 2006. ADDRESSES: In commenting, please refer to file code CMS-1304-P. Because of staff and resource limitations, we cannot accept comments by facsimile (FAX) transmission. You may submit comments in one of four ways (no duplicates, please): 1. Electronically. You may submit electronic comments on specific issues in this regulation to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/​eRulemaking . Click on the link “Submit electronic comments on CMS regulations …
Citation: 71 FR 44082