Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities--Update--Notice
Highlights
GAO reviewed the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid's (CMS) new rule on the Medicare Program's prospective payment system and consolidated billing for skilled nursing facilities. GAO found that (1) the rule states the notice updates the payment rates used under the prospective payment system for skilled nursing facilities for fiscal year 2005; and (2) CMS complied with all applicable requirements in promulgating the rule.
Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities--Update--Notice, GAO-04-1035R, September 10, 2004
The Honorable Charles E. Grassley
Chairman
The Honorable Max Baucus
Ranking Minority Member
Committee on Finance
United States Senate
The Honorable W.J. "Billy" Tauzin
Chairman
The Honorable John D. Dingell
Ranking Minority Member
Committee on Energy and Commerce
House of Representatives
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Chairman
The Honorable Charles B. Rangel
Ranking Minority Member
Committee on Ways and Means
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Subject: Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities --Update--Notice
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; Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing FacilitiesUpdate--Notice" (RIN: 0938-AM46). We received the rule on August 27, 2004. It was published in the Federal Register as a notice on July 30, 2004. 69 Fed. Reg. 45775.
The notice updates the payment rates used under the prospective payment system for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) for fiscal year 2005.
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 indicates that 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 Ms. Marjorie Kanof, Managing Director, Health Care. Ms. Kanof can be reached at (202) 512-7101.
signed
Kathleen E. Wannisky
Managing Associate General Counsel
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; PROSPECTIVE PAYMENT SYSTEM
AND CONSOLIDATED BILLING FOR
SKILLED NURSING FACILITIESUPDATE--NOTICE "
(RIN: 0938-AM46)
(i) Cost-benefit analysis
CMS estimates that the impact of the standard update will increase payments to SNFs by approximately440 million.
(ii) Agency actions relevant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 603-605, 607, and 609
The Administrator of CMS has certified that the notice will not have a significant economic 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 does not contain either an intergovernmental or private sector mandate, as defined in title II, of more than110 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 .
CMS has found "good cause" to waive the notice and comment procedures found at 5U.S.C. 553. CMS notes that the statute requires annual updates to the SNF prospective payment system rates; the methodologies used to update the rates have been previously subject to public comment and the notice makes no policy changes.
Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520
The notice does not contain an information collection that requires review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act.
Executive Order No. 12866
The notice was reviewed by OMB and found to be an "economically significant" regulatory action under the order.
Executive Order No. 13132 (Federalism)
The final rule will not impact on the rights or responsibilities of state, local, or tribal governments.