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Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: Medicare Program; Inpatient Hospital Deductible and Hospital and Extended Care Services Coinsurance Amounts for 2005

GAO-04-1086R Sep 21, 2004
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Highlights

GAO reviewed the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid's (CMS) new rule on inpatient hospital deductible and hospital and extended care services coinsurance amounts for 2004. GAO found that (1) the rule would announce the inpatient hospital deductible and the hospital and extended care services coinsurance amounts for services furnished in calendar year 2005 under Medicare's hospital insurance program (Medicare part A); and (2) CMS complied with all applicable requirements in promulgating the rule.

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Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: Medicare Program; Inpatient Hospital Deductible and Hospital and Extended Care Services Coinsurance Amounts for 2005, GAO-04-1086R, September 21, 2004

B-294710

September 21, 2004

The Honorable Judd Gregg
Chairman
The Honorable Edward M. Kennedy
Ranking Minority Member
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
United States Senate

The Honorable William M. Thomas
Chairman
The Honorable Charles B. Rangel
Ranking Minority Member
Committee on Ways and Means
House of Representatives

Subject: Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: Medicare Program; Inpatient Hospital Deductible and Hospital and Extended Care Services Coinsurance Amounts for 2005

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 and Medicaid Services (CMS), entitled "Medicare Program; Inpatient Hospital Deductible and Hospital and Extended Care Services Coinsurance Amounts for 2004" (RIN: 0938-AN16). We received the rule on September 9, 2004. It was published in the Federal Register as a notice on September 9, 2004. 69 Fed. Reg. 54671.

The notice announces the inpatient hospital deductible and the hospital and extended care services coinsurance amounts for services furnished in calendar year 2005 under Medicare's hospital insurance program (Medicare Part A). The statute specifies the formula used to determine these amounts.

The inpatient hospital deductible will be912. The daily coinsurance amounts will be: (a) $228 for the 61st through the 90th day of hospitalization in a benefit period; (b) $456 for lifetime reserve days; and (c) $114 for the 21st through 100th day of extended care services in a skilled nursing facility in a benefit period.

Enclosed is our assessment of the 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 indicates that the CMS complied with the applicable requirements.

If you have any questions about this report, please contact James W. Vickers, Assistant General Counsel, at (202) 512-8210. The official responsible for GAO evaluation work relating to the subject matter of the rule is Marjorie Kanof, Managing Director, Health Care. Ms. Kanof can be reached at (202) 512-7101.

signed

Kathleen E. Wannisky
Managing Associate General Counsel

Enclosure

cc: Ann Stallion
Regulations Coordinator
Department of Health and
Human Services

ENCLOSURE

ANALYSIS UNDER 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(B)(i)-(iv) OF A MAJOR RULE
ISSUED BY THE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,
CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES
ENTITLED
"MEDICARE PROGRAM; INPATIENT HOSPITAL DEDUCTIBLE
AND HOSPITAL AND EXTENDED CARE SERVICES
COINSURANCE AMOUNTS FOR 2005"
(RIN: 0938-AN16)

(i) Cost-benefit analysis

While a cost-benefit analysis was not conducted because the increases were statutorily directed, the cost to beneficiaries is discussed in the notice. Due to the increase in the deductible and coinsurance amounts, CMS estimates that the total increase in cost to beneficiaries will be610 million.

(ii) Agency actions relevant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 603-605, 607, and 609

CMS has reviewed the notice and has found that no analyses under the Act are required. Since states and individuals are not considered small entities, there will be no significant impact on a substantial number of small entities.

(iii) Agency actions relevant to sections 202-205 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995, 2 U.S.C. 1532-1535

The notice will not impose either an intergovernmental or private sector mandate, as defined in title II, of more than100 million in any one year.

(iv) Other relevant information or requirements under acts and executive orders

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 551 et seq .

In accordance with CMS's past practice regarding publication of deductible and coinsurance amounts under Medicare where such amounts are determined according to the statute, a general notice is used rather than notice and comment rulemaking procedures contained in section 553 of the Administrative Procedure Act.

Statutory authorization for the rule

The notice was issued under the authority contained in section 1813(b)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395e-2(b)(2)).

Executive Order No. 12866

The notice was reviewed by OMB and found to be an "economically significant" regulatory action.

Executive Order No. 13132 (Federalism)

CMS has determined that the notice does not have federalism implications.

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