Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: Medicare Program; Inpatient Hospital Deductible and Hospital and Extended Care Services Coinsurance Amounts for CY 2012
Highlights
GAO reviewed the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) new rule on inpatient hospital deductible and hospital and extended care services coinsurance amounts. GAO found that (1) the notice announces the inpatient hospital deductible and the hospital and extended care services coinsurance amounts for services furnished in calendar year (CY) 2012 under Medicare's Hospital Insurance Program (Medicare Part A); and (2) that CMS complied with the applicable requirements in promulgating the rule.
Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: Medicare Program; Inpatient Hospital Deductible and Hospital and Extended Care Services Coinsurance Amounts for CY 2012, GAO-12-216R, November 14, 2011
The Honorable Max Baucus
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The Honorable Orrin G. Hatch
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Committee on Finance
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Committee on Energy and Commerce
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The Honorable Sander M. Levin
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Committee on Ways and Means
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Subject: Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: Medicare Program; Inpatient Hospital Deductible and Hospital and Extended Care Services Coinsurance Amounts for CY 2012
Pursuant to section 801(a)(2)(A) of title 5, United States Code, this is our report on a major rule promulgated by the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), entitled "Medicare Program; Inpatient Hospital Deductible and Hospital and Extended Care Services Coinsurance Amounts for CY 2012" (RIN: 0938-AQ14). We received the rule on November 2, 2011. It was published in the Federal Register as a notice on November 1, 2011. 76 Fed. Reg. 67,568.
The notice announces the inpatient hospital deductible and the hospital and extended care services coinsurance amounts for services furnished in calendar year (CY) 2012 under Medicare's Hospital Insurance Program (Medicare Part A). The Medicare statute specifies the formulae used to determine these amounts. For CY 2012, the inpatient hospital deductible will be $1,156. The daily coinsurance amounts for CY 2012 will be $289 for the 61st through 90th day of hospitalization in a benefit period; $578 for lifetime reserve days; and $144.50 for the 21st through 100th day of extended care services in a skilled nursing facility in a benefit period.
Enclosed is our assessment of CMS's compliance with the procedural steps required by section 801(a)(1)(B)(i) through (iv) of title 5 with respect to the rule. Our review of the procedural steps taken indicates that CMS complied with the applicable requirements.
If you have any questions about this report or wish to contact GAO officials responsible for the evaluation work relating to the subject matter of the rule, please contact Shirley A. Jones, Assistant General Counsel, at (202) 512-8156.
signed
Robert J. Cramer
Managing Associate General Counsel
Enclosure
cc: Ann Stallion
Program Manager
Department of Health and
Human Services
ENCLOSURE
REPORT UNDER 5 U.S.C. sect. 801(a)(2)(A) ON A MAJOR RULE
ISSUED BY THE
Department of Health and Human Services,
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
ENTITLED
"Medicare Program; Inpatient Hospital Deductible
and Hospital and Extended Care Services
Coinsurance Amounts for CY 2012"
(RIN: 0938-AQ14)
(i) Cost-benefit analysis
CMS estimated the total increase in costs to beneficiaries to be about $970 million (rounded to the nearest $10 million) due to the increase in the deductible and coinsurance amounts and the change in the number of deductibles and daily coinsurance amounts paid.
(ii) Agency actions relevant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. sections 603-605, 607, and 609
CMS determined that the notice will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, or on the operations of a substantial number of small rural hospitals. Therefore, CMS did not prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis.
(iii) Agency actions relevant to sections 202-205 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995, 2 U.S.C. sections 1532-1535
CMS determined that the notice will have no consequential effect on state, local, or tribal governments or on the private sector. However, CMS does note that states may be required to pay the deductibles and coinsurance for dually-eligible beneficiaries.
(iv) Other relevant information or requirements under acts and executive orders
Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. sections 551 et seq.
CMS found good cause to waive publication of a proposed notice and solicitation of public comments. CMS found that the procedure of notice and comment was unnecessary because the formulae used to calculate the inpatient hospital deductible and hospital and extended care services coinsurance amounts are statutorily directed, and CMS has no discretion in following the formulae. Additionally, CMS found delaying publication would be contrary to the public interest because the statute establishes the time period for which the deductible and coinsurance amounts will apply.
Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. sections 3501-3520
The notice does not contain any information collection or recordkeeping requirements, and therefore, the Paperwork Reduction Act is not applicable.
Statutory authorization for the rule
The notice is authorized by section 1813 of the Social Security Act.
Executive Order No. 12,866 (Regulatory Planning and Review)
CMS determined that the notice is economically significant under Executive Order No. 12,866, and it was reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget.
Executive Order No. 13,132 (Federalism)
CMS determined that the notice will not have a substantial effect on state or local governments.