Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 250 / Thursday, December 30, 2004 / Notices 78445

In accordance with § 422.158(b) of our 

regulations, the applicant must provide 

documentation relating to—

• Its ability to provide data in a CMS–

compatible format; 

• The adequacy of personnel and 

other resources necessary to perform the 

required surveys and other activities; 

and 

• Assurances that it will comply with 

ongoing responsibility requirements 

specified in § 422.157(c) of our 

regulations. 

In accordance with section 

1865(b)(3)(A) of the Act, the proposed 

notice also solicited public comment on 

the ability of the NCQA’s accreditation 

program to meet or exceed the Medicare 

requirements for which it seeks 

authority to deem. We did not receive 

any public comment in response to the 

proposed notice. 

IV. Provisions of the Final Notice 

On August 4, 2004, NCQA submitted 

all the necessary information to permit 

us to make a determination concerning 

its request for approval as a deeming 

authority for MA organizations that are 

licensed as a PPO. 

We compared the standards contained 

in NCQA’s PPO crosswalk and its 

survey process with the Medicare 

regulations and the PPO survey 

monitoring guide. Our review and 

evaluation of NCQA’s deeming 

application determined that the NCQA 

standards meet or exceed those 

established by the Medicare program. 

Therefore, we recognize NCQA as a 

national accreditation organization for 

local preferred provider organizations 

that wish to participate in the Medicare 

Advantage program, effective October 

20, 2004 through October 20, 2010. 

V. Collection of Information 

Requirements 

This final notice does not impose any 

information collection and record 

keeping requirements subject to the 

Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). 

Consequently, it does not need to be 

reviewed by the Office of Management 

and Budget (OMB) under the authority 

of the PRA. 

VI. Executive Order 12866 Statement 

In accordance with the provisions of 

Executive Order 12866, this notice was 

not reviewed by the Office of 

Management and Budget.

Authority: Sections 1852 and 1865 of the 

Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–23 and 

1395bb) (Catalog of Federal Domestic 

Assistance Program No. 93.773, Medicare—

Hospital Insurance; and Program No. 93.774, 

Medicare—Supplementary Medical 

Insurance Program)

Dated: November 24, 2004. 

Mark B. McClellan, 

Administrator, Centers for Medicare & 

Medicaid Services.

[FR Doc. 04–28154 Filed 12–29–04; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4120–01–P

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND 

HUMAN SERVICES 

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid 

Services 

[CMS–1249–CN2] 

RIN 0938–AM46 

Medicare Program; Prospective 

Payment System and Consolidated 

Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities; 

Corrections

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & 

Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.

ACTION: Correction notice.

SUMMARY: This document corrects 

technical errors that appeared in the 

July 30, 2004 Federal Register, entitled 

‘‘Medicare Program; Prospective 

Payment System and Consolidated 

Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities—

Update—Notice.’’

EFFECTIVE DATE: This correction is 

effective October 1, 2004, except for 

certain wage index corrections that are 

effective January 1, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jeanette Kranacs, (410) 786–9385, Bill 

Ullman, (410) 786–5667, or Sheila 

Lambowitz, (410) 786–7605.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background 

On October 7, 2004, we published a 

correction notice (FR Doc. 04–22399, 69 

FR 60158) to correct a number of 

technical errors that had appeared in the 

FY 2005 SNF PPS update notice 

published on July 30, 2004 (FR Doc. 04–

17443, 69 FR 45775). In that notice we 

indicated that the corrected wage tables 

and other tables were being posted on 

the CMS Web site at http://

www.cms.hhs.gov/providers/snfpps, and 

we also expressed our intent to publish 

them in a forthcoming Federal Register

notice. In this notice we are fulfilling 

that intent, as well as correcting certain 

additional technical errors in wage 

index values that have been recently 

identified. The corrections appear in 

this document under the heading 

‘‘Correction of Errors.’’ The provisions 

in this correction notice are effective as 

if they had been included in the 

document published in the Federal 

Register on July 30, 2004, that is, as of 

October 1, 2004, except for those wage 

index value corrections that we 

specifically note to be effective as of 

January 1, 2005. 

In this notice, we hereby set forth the 

corrected versions of Tables 8, 9, 10, 

and 12 that were referenced in FR Doc. 

04–22399 (69 FR 60158). 

In addition, Table 8 is further revised 

to reflect the following additional 

corrections, which become effective as 

of January 1, 2005: 

1. The entry of ‘‘0.7959’’ for 

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) 

3960 (Lake Charles, LA) is revised by 

adding ‘‘(0.7972, effective January 1, 

2005)’’. 

2. The entry of ‘‘0.8053’’ for MSA 

4280 (Lexington, KY) is revised by 

adding ‘‘(0.9219, effective January 1, 

2005)’’. 

3. The entry of ‘‘1.0025’’ for MSA 

5000 (Miami, FL) is revised by adding 

‘‘(0.9870, effective January 1, 2005)’’. 

4. The entry of ‘‘1.2921’’ for MSA 

5380 (Nassau-Suffolk, NY) is revised by 

adding ‘‘(1.2907, effective January 1, 

2005)’’. 

5. The entry of ‘‘1.3587’’ for MSA 

5600 (New York, NY) is revised by 

adding ‘‘(1.3586, effective January 1, 

2005)’’. 

6. The entry of ‘‘1.0975’’ for MSA 

6780 (Riverside-San Bernardino, CA) is 

revised by adding ‘‘(1.0970, effective 

January 1, 2005)’’. 

7. The entry of ‘‘0.9964’’ for MSA 

8780 (Visalia-Tulare-Porterville, CA) is 

revised by adding ‘‘(0.9975, effective 

January 1, 2005)’’. 

8. The entry of ‘‘1.0059’’ for MSA 

8960 (West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, FL) 

is revised by adding ‘‘(1.0362, effective 

January 1, 2005)’’. 

9. The entry of ‘‘0.9472’’ for MSA 

9040 (Wichita, KS) is revised by adding 

‘‘(0.9468, effective January 1, 2005)’’. 

II. Correction of Errors 

In FR Doc. 04–17443 (69 FR 45775), 

make the following corrections: 

1. On pages 45787 through 45814, in 

Table 8—Wage Index for Rural Areas 

the table is corrected to read as follows:

78446 Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 250 / Thursday, December 30, 2004 / Notices 

TABLE 8.—WAGE INDEX FOR URBAN AREAS

MSA Urban area (constituent counties or county equivalents) Wage index 

0040 ........................................................ Abilene, TX ............................................................................................................... 0.8009 

Taylor, TX 

0060 ........................................................ Aguadilla, PR ............................................................................................................ 0.4294 

Aguada, PR 

Aguadilla, PR 

Moca, PR 

0080 ........................................................ Akron, OH ................................................................................................................. 0.9055 

Portage, OH 

Summit, OH 

0120 ........................................................ Albany, GA ............................................................................................................... 1.1266 

Dougherty, GA 

Lee, GA 

0160 ........................................................ Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY ................................................................................. 0.8570 

Albany, NY 

Montgomery, NY 

Rensselaer, NY 

Saratoga, NY 

Schenectady, NY 

Schoharie, NY 

0200 ........................................................ Albuquerque, NM ...................................................................................................... 1.0485 

Bernalillo, NM 

Sandoval, NM 

Valencia, NM 

0220 ........................................................ Alexandria, LA .......................................................................................................... 0.8171 

Rapides, LA 

0240 ........................................................ Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA ............................................................................ 0.9536 

Carbon, PA 

Lehigh, PA 

Northampton, PA 

0280 ........................................................ Altoona, PA ............................................................................................................... 0.8462 

Blair, PA 

0320 ........................................................ Amarillo, TX .............................................................................................................. 0.9178 

Potter, TX 

Randall, TX 

0380 ........................................................ Anchorage, AK ......................................................................................................... 1.2109 

Anchorage, AK 

0440 ........................................................ Ann Arbor, MI ........................................................................................................... 1.0816 

Lenawee, MI 

Livingston, MI 

Washtenaw, MI 

0450 ........................................................ Anniston,AL .............................................................................................................. 0.7881 

Calhoun, AL 

0460 ........................................................ Appleton-Oshkosh-Neenah, WI ................................................................................ 0.9115 

Calumet, WI 

Outagamie, WI 

Winnebago, WI 

0470 ........................................................ Arecibo, PR .............................................................................................................. 0.3757 

Arecibo, PR 

Camuy, PR 

Hatillo, PR 

0480 ........................................................ Asheville, NC ............................................................................................................ 0.9501 

Buncombe, NC 

Madison, NC 

0500 ........................................................ Athens, GA ............................................................................................................... 1.0202 

Clarke, GA 

Madison, GA 

Oconee, GA 

0520 ........................................................ Atlanta, GA ............................................................................................................... 0.9971 

Barrow, GA 

Bartow, GA 

Carroll, GA 

Cherokee, GA 

Clayton, GA 

Cobb, GA 

Coweta, GA 

De Kalb, GA 

Douglas, GA 

Fayette, GA 

Forsyth, GA 

Fulton, GA 

Gwinnett, GA 

Henry, GA 

Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 250 / Thursday, December 30, 2004 / Notices 78447

TABLE 8.—WAGE INDEX FOR URBAN AREAS—Continued

MSA Urban area (constituent counties or county equivalents) Wage index 

Newton, GA 

Paulding, GA 

Pickens, GA 

Rockdale, GA 

Spalding, GA 

Walton, GA 

0560 ........................................................ Atlantic City-Cape May, NJ ...................................................................................... 1.0907 

Atlantic City, NJ 

Cape May, NJ 

0580 ........................................................ Auburn-Opelika, AL .................................................................................................. 0.8215 

Lee, AL 

0600 ........................................................ Augusta-Aiken, GA-SC ............................................................................................. 0.9208 

Columbia, GA 

McDuffie, GA 

Richmond, GA 

Aiken, SC 

Edgefield, SC 

0640 ........................................................ Austin-San Marcos, TX ............................................................................................ 0.9595 

Bastrop, TX 

Caldwell, TX 

Hays, TX 

Travis, TX 

Williamson, TX 

0680 ........................................................ Bakersfield, CA ......................................................................................................... 1.0036 

Kern, CA 

0720 ........................................................ Baltimore, MD ........................................................................................................... 0.9907 

Anne Arundel, MD 

Baltimore, MD 

Baltimore City, MD 

Carroll, MD 

Harford, MD 

Howard, MD 

Queen Annes, MD 

0733 ........................................................ Bangor, ME ............................................................................................................... 0.9955 

Penobscot, ME 

0743 ........................................................ Barnstable-Yarmouth, MA ........................................................................................ 1.2335 

Barnstable, MA 

0760 ........................................................ Baton Rouge, LA ...................................................................................................... 0.8354 

Ascension, LA 

East Baton Rouge 

Livingston, LA 

West Baton Rouge, LA 

0840 ........................................................ Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ........................................................................................ 0.8616 

Hardin, TX 

Jefferson, TX 

Orange, TX 

0860 ........................................................ Bellingham, WA ........................................................................................................ 1.1642 

Whatcom, WA 

0870 ........................................................ Benton Harbor, MI .................................................................................................... 0.8847 

Berrien, MI 

0875 ........................................................ Bergen-Passaic, NJ .................................................................................................. 1.1967 

Bergen, NJ 

Passaic, NJ 

0880 ........................................................ Billings, MT ............................................................................................................... 0.8961 

Yellowstone, MT 

0920 ........................................................ Biloxi-Gulfport-Pascagoula, MS ................................................................................ 0.8649 

Hancock, MS 

Harrison, MS 

Jackson, MS 

0960 ........................................................ Binghamton, NY ....................................................................................................... 0.8447 

Broome, NY 

Tioga, NY 

1000 ........................................................ Birmingham, AL ........................................................................................................ 0.9198 

Blount, AL 

Jefferson, AL 

St. Clair, AL 

Shelby, AL 

1010 ........................................................ Bismarck, ND ............................................................................................................ 0.7505 

Burleigh, ND 

Morton, ND 

1020 ........................................................ Bloomington, IN ........................................................................................................ 0.8587 

Monroe, IN 

78448 Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 250 / Thursday, December 30, 2004 / Notices 

TABLE 8.—WAGE INDEX FOR URBAN AREAS—Continued

MSA Urban area (constituent counties or county equivalents) Wage index 

1040 ........................................................ Bloomington-Normal, IL ............................................................................................ 0.9111 

McLean, IL 

1080 ........................................................ Boise City, ID ............................................................................................................ 0.9352 

Ada, ID 

Canyon, ID 

1123 ........................................................ Boston-Worcester-Lawrence-Lowell-Brockton, MA-NH ........................................... 1.1290 

Bristol, MA 

Essex, MA 

Middlesex, MA 

Norfolk, MA 

Plymouth, MA 

Suffolk, MA 

Worcester, MA 

Hillsborough, NH 

Merrimack, NH 

Rockingham, NH 

Strafford, NH 

1125 ........................................................ Boulder-Longmont, CO ............................................................................................. 1.0046 

Boulder, CO 

1145 ........................................................ Brazoria, TX .............................................................................................................. 0.8524 

Brazoria, TX 

1150 ........................................................ Bremerton, WA ......................................................................................................... 1.0614 

Kitsap, WA 

1240 ........................................................ Brownsville-Harlingen-San Benito, TX ..................................................................... 1.0125 

Cameron, TX 

1260 ........................................................ Bryan-College Station, TX ........................................................................................ 0.9243 

Brazos, TX 

1280 ........................................................ Buffalo-Niagara Falls, NY ......................................................................................... 0.9339 

Erie, NY 

Niagara, NY 

1303 ........................................................ Burlington, VT ........................................................................................................... 0.9322 

Chittenden, VT 

Franklin, VT 

Grand Isle, VT 

1310 ........................................................ Caguas, PR .............................................................................................................. 0.4061 

Caguas, PR 

Cayey, PR 

Cidra, PR 

Gurabo, PR 

San Lorenzo, PR 

1320 ........................................................ Canton-Massillon, OH .............................................................................................. 0.8895 

Carroll, OH 

Stark, OH 

1350 ........................................................ Casper, WY .............................................................................................................. 0.9243 

Natrona, WY 

1360 ........................................................ Cedar Rapids, IA ...................................................................................................... 0.8975 

Linn, IA 

1400 ........................................................ Champaign-Urbana, IL ............................................................................................. 0.9527 

Champaign, IL 

1440 ........................................................ Charleston-North Charleston, SC ............................................................................. 0.9420 

Berkeley, SC 

Charleston, SC 

Dorchester, SC 

1480 ........................................................ Charleston, WV ........................................................................................................ 0.8876 

Kanawha, WV 

Putnam, WV 

1520 ........................................................ Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, NC-SC ...................................................................... 0.9711 

Cabarrus, NC 

Gaston, NC 

Lincoln, NC 

Mecklenburg, NC 

Rowan, NC 

Union, NC 

York, SC 

1540 ........................................................ Charlottesville, VA .................................................................................................... 1.0294 

Albemarle, VA 

Charlottesville City, VA 

Fluvanna, VA 

Greene, VA 

1560 ........................................................ Chattanooga, TN-GA ................................................................................................ 0.9207 

Catoosa, GA 

Dade, GA 

Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 250 / Thursday, December 30, 2004 / Notices 78449

TABLE 8.—WAGE INDEX FOR URBAN AREAS—Continued

MSA Urban area (constituent counties or county equivalents) Wage index 

Walker, GA 

Hamilton, TN 

Marion, TN 

1580 ........................................................ Cheyenne, WY ......................................................................................................... 0.8980 

Laramie, WY 

1600 ........................................................ Chicago, IL ............................................................................................................... 1.0851 

Cook, IL 

De Kalb, IL 

Du Page, IL 

Grundy, IL 

Kane, IL 

Kendall, IL 

Lake, IL 

McHenry, IL 

Will, IL 

1620 ........................................................ Chico-Paradise, CA .................................................................................................. 1.0542 

Butte, CA 

1640 ........................................................ Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN ................................................................................................ 0.9595 

Dearborn, IN 

Ohio, IN 

Boone, KY 

Campbell, KY 

Gallatin, KY 

Grant, KY 

Kenton, KY 

Pendleton, KY 

Brown, OH 

Clermont, OH 

Hamilton, OH 

Warren, OH 

1660 ........................................................ Clarksville-Hopkinsville, TN-KY ................................................................................ 0.8022 

Christian, KY 

Montgomery, TN 

1680 ........................................................ Cleveland-Lorain-Elyria, OH ..................................................................................... 0.9626 

Ashtabula, OH 

Geauga, OH 

Cuyahoga, OH 

Lake, OH 

Lorain, OH 

Medina, OH 

1720 ........................................................ Colorado Springs, CO .............................................................................................. 0.9792 

El Paso, CO 

1740 ........................................................ Columbia MO ............................................................................................................ 0.8396 

Boone, MO 

1760 ........................................................ Columbia, SC ........................................................................................................... 0.9450 

Lexington, SC 

Richland, SC 

1800 ........................................................ Columbus, GA-AL ..................................................................................................... 0.8690 

Russell,AL 

Chattanoochee, GA 

Harris, GA 

Muscogee, GA 

1840 ........................................................ Columbus, OH .......................................................................................................... 0.9753 

Delaware, OH 

Fairfield, OH 

Franklin, OH 

Licking, OH 

Madison, OH 

Pickaway, OH 

1880 ........................................................ Corpus Christi, TX .................................................................................................... 0.8647 

Nueces, TX 

San Patricio, TX 

1890 ........................................................ Corvallis, OR ............................................................................................................ 1.0545 

Benton, OR 

1900 ........................................................ Cumberland, MD-WV ............................................................................................... 0.8662 

Allegany MD 

Mineral WV 

1920 ........................................................ Dallas, TX ................................................................................................................. 1.0054 

Collin, TX 

Dallas, TX 

Denton, TX 

Ellis, TX 

78450 Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 250 / Thursday, December 30, 2004 / Notices 

TABLE 8.—WAGE INDEX FOR URBAN AREAS—Continued

MSA Urban area (constituent counties or county equivalents) Wage index 

Henderson, TX 

Hunt, TX 

Kaufman, TX 

Rockwall, TX 

1950 ........................................................ Danville, VA .............................................................................................................. 0.8643 

Danville City, VA 

Pittsylvania, VA 

1960 ........................................................ Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL ....................................................................... 0.8773 

Scott, IA 

Henry, IL 

Rock Island, IL 

2000 ........................................................ Dayton-Springfield, OH ............................................................................................. 0.9231 

Clark, OH 

Greene, OH 

Miami, OH 

Montgomery, OH 

2020 ........................................................ Daytona Beach, FL ................................................................................................... 0.8900 

Flagler, FL 

Volusia, FL 

2030 ........................................................ Decatur, AL ............................................................................................................... 0.8894 

Lawrence, AL 

Morgan, AL 

2040 ........................................................ Decatur, IL ................................................................................................................ 0.8122 

Macon, IL 

2080 ........................................................ Denver, CO ............................................................................................................... 1.0904 

Adams, CO 

Arapahoe, CO 

Broomfield, CO 

Denver, CO 

Douglas, CO 

Jefferson, CO 

2120 ........................................................ Des Moines, IA ......................................................................................................... 0.9266 

Dallas, IA 

Polk, IA 

Warren, IA 

2160 ........................................................ Detroit, MI ................................................................................................................. 1.0227 

Lapeer, MI 

Macomb, MI 

Monroe, MI 

Oakland, MI 

St. Clair, MI 

Wayne, MI 

2180 ........................................................ Dothan, AL ................................................................................................................ 0.7596 

Dale, AL 

Houston, AL 

2190 ........................................................ Dover, DE ................................................................................................................. 0.9825 

Kent, DE 

2200 ........................................................ Dubuque, IA .............................................................................................................. 0.8748 

Dubuque, IA 

2240 ........................................................ Duluth-Superior, MN-WI ........................................................................................... 1.0356 

St. Louis, MN 

Douglas, WI 

2281 ........................................................ Dutchess County, NY ............................................................................................... 1.1657 

Dutchess, NY 

2290 ........................................................ Eau Claire, WI .......................................................................................................... 0.9139 

Chippewa, WI 

Eau Claire, WI 

2320 ........................................................ El Paso, TX .............................................................................................................. 0.9181 

El Paso, TX 

2330 ........................................................ Elkhart-Goshen, IN ................................................................................................... 0.9278 

Elkhart, IN 

2335 ........................................................ Elmira, NY ................................................................................................................ 0.8445 

Chemung, NY 

2340 ........................................................ Enid, OK ................................................................................................................... 0.9001 

Garfield, OK 

2360 ........................................................ Erie, PA .................................................................................................................... 0.8699 

Erie, PA 

2400 ........................................................ Eugene-Springfield, OR ............................................................................................ 1.0940 

Lane, OR 

2440 ........................................................ Evansville-Henderson, IN-KY ................................................................................... 0.8395 

Posey, IN 

Vanderburgh, IN 

Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 250 / Thursday, December 30, 2004 / Notices 78451

TABLE 8.—WAGE INDEX FOR URBAN AREAS—Continued

MSA Urban area (constituent counties or county equivalents) Wage index 

Warrick, IN 

Henderson, KY 

2520 ........................................................ Fargo-Moorhead, ND-MN ......................................................................................... 0.9114 

Clay, MN 

Cass, ND 

2560 ........................................................ Fayetteville, NC ........................................................................................................ 0.9363 

Cumberland, NC 

2580 ........................................................ Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR ......................................................................... 0.8636 

Benton, AR 

Washington, AR 

2620 ........................................................ Flagstaff, AZ-UT ....................................................................................................... 1.0611 

Coconino, AZ 

Kane, UT 

2640 ........................................................ Flint, MI ..................................................................................................................... 1.1178 

Genesee, MI 

2650 ........................................................ Florence, AL ............................................................................................................. 0.7883 

Colbert, AL 

Lauderdale, AL 

2655 ........................................................ Florence, SC ............................................................................................................. 0.8960 

Florence, SC 

2670 ........................................................ Fort Collins-Loveland, CO ........................................................................................ 1.0218 

Larimer, CO 

2680 ........................................................ Ft. Lauderdale, FL .................................................................................................... 1.0165 

Broward, FL 

2700 ........................................................ Fort Myers-Cape Coral, FL ...................................................................................... 0.9371 

Lee, FL 

2710 ........................................................ Fort Pierce-Port St. Lucie, FL .................................................................................. 1.0046 

Martin, FL 

St. Lucie, FL 

2720 ........................................................ Fort Smith, AR-OK ................................................................................................... 0.8303 

Crawford, AR 

Sebastian, AR 

Sequoyah, OK 

2750 ........................................................ Fort Walton Beach, FL ............................................................................................. 0.8786 

Okaloosa, FL 

2760 ........................................................ Fort Wayne, IN ......................................................................................................... 0.9737 

Adams, IN 

Allen, IN 

De Kalb, IN 

Huntington, IN 

Wells, IN 

Whitley, IN 

2800 ........................................................ Forth Worth-Arlington, TX ........................................................................................ 0.9520 

Hood, TX 

Johnson, TX 

Parker, TX 

Tarrant, TX 

2840 ........................................................ Fresno, CA ............................................................................................................... 1.0407 

Fresno, CA 

Madera, CA 

2880 ........................................................ Gadsden, AL ............................................................................................................. 0.8049 

Etowah, AL 

2900 ........................................................ Gainesville, FL .......................................................................................................... 0.9459 

Alachua, FL 

2920 ........................................................ Galveston-Texas City, TX ........................................................................................ 0.9403 

Galveston, TX 

2960 ........................................................ Gary, IN .................................................................................................................... 0.9342 

Lake, IN 

Porter, IN 

2975 ........................................................ Glens Falls, NY ........................................................................................................ 0.8467 

Warren, NY 

Washington, NY 

2980 ........................................................ Goldsboro, NC .......................................................................................................... 0.8778 

Wayne, NC 

2985 ........................................................ Grand Forks, ND-MN ............................................................................................... 0.9091 

Polk, MN 

Grand Forks, ND 

2995 ........................................................ Grand Junction, CO .................................................................................................. 0.9900 

Mesa, CO 

3000 ........................................................ Grand Rapids-Muskegon-Holland, MI ...................................................................... 0.9519 

Allegan, MI 

Kent, MI 

78452 Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 250 / Thursday, December 30, 2004 / Notices 

TABLE 8.—WAGE INDEX FOR URBAN AREAS—Continued

MSA Urban area (constituent counties or county equivalents) Wage index 

Muskegon, MI 

Ottawa, MI 

3040 ........................................................ Great Falls, MT ......................................................................................................... 0.8810 

Cascade, MT 

3060 ........................................................ Greeley, CO .............................................................................................................. 0.9444 

Weld, CO 

3080 ........................................................ Green Bay, WI .......................................................................................................... 0.9586 

Brown, WI 

3120 ........................................................ Greensboro-Winston-Salem-High Point, NC ............................................................ 0.9312 

Alamance, NC 

Davidson, NC 

Davie, NC 

Forsyth, NC 

Guilford, NC 

Randolph, NC 

Stokes, NC 

Yadkin, NC 

3150 ........................................................ Greenville, NC .......................................................................................................... 0.9183 

Pitt, NC 

3160 ........................................................ Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson, SC ..................................................................... 0.9400 

Anderson, SC 

Cherokee, SC 

Greenville, SC 

Pickens, SC 

Spartanburg, SC 

3180 ........................................................ Hagerstown, MD ....................................................................................................... 0.9940 

Washington, MD 

3200 ........................................................ Hamilton-Middletown, OH ......................................................................................... 0.9066 

Butler, OH 

3240 ........................................................ Harrisburg-Lebanon-Carlisle, PA .............................................................................. 0.9286 

Cumberland, PA 

Dauphin, PA 

Lebanon, PA 

Perry, PA 

3283 ........................................................ Hartford, CT .............................................................................................................. 1.1054 

Hartford, CT 

Litchfield, CT 

Middlesex, CT 

Tolland, CT 

3285 ........................................................ Hattiesburg, MS ........................................................................................................ 0.7362 

Forrest, MS 

Lamar, MS 

3290 ........................................................ Hickory-Morganton-Lenoir, NC ................................................................................. 0.9502 

Alexander, NC 

Burke, NC 

Caldwell, NC 

Catawba, NC 

3320 ........................................................ Honolulu, HI .............................................................................................................. 1.1013 

Honolulu, HI 

3350 ........................................................ Houma, LA ................................................................................................................ 0.7721 

Lafourche, LA 

Terrebonne, LA 

3360 ........................................................ Houston, TX .............................................................................................................. 1.0117 

Chambers, TX 

Fort Bend, TX 

Harris, TX 

Liberty, TX 

Montgomery, TX 

Waller, TX 

3400 ........................................................ Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH .............................................................................. 0.9564 

Boyd, KY 

Carter, KY 

Greenup, KY 

Lawrence, OH 

Cabell, WV 

Wayne, WV 

3440 ........................................................ Huntsville, AL ............................................................................................................ 0.8851 

Limestone, AL 

Madison, AL 

3480 ........................................................ Indianapolis, IN ......................................................................................................... 1.0039 

Boone, IN 

Hamilton, IN 

Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 250 / Thursday, December 30, 2004 / Notices 78453

TABLE 8.—WAGE INDEX FOR URBAN AREAS—Continued

MSA Urban area (constituent counties or county equivalents) Wage index 

Hancock, IN 

Hendricks, IN 

Johnson, IN 

Madison, IN 

Marion, IN 

Morgan, IN 

Shelby, IN 

3500 ........................................................ Iowa City, IA ............................................................................................................. 0.9654 

Johnson, IA 

3520 ........................................................ Jackson, MI .............................................................................................................. 0.9146 

Jackson, MI 

3560 ........................................................ Jackson, MS ............................................................................................................. 0.8406 

Hinds, MS 

Madison, MS 

Rankin, MS 

3580 ........................................................ Jackson, TN .............................................................................................................. 0.8900 

Chester, TN 

Madison, TN 

3600 ........................................................ Jacksonville, FL ........................................................................................................ 0.9548 

Clay, FL 

Duval, FL 

Nassau, FL 

St. Johns, FL 

3605 ........................................................ Jacksonville, NC ....................................................................................................... 0.8401 

Onslow, NC 

3610 ........................................................ Jamestown, NY ........................................................................................................ 0.7589 

Chautaqua, NY 

3620 ........................................................ Janesville-Beloit, WI ................................................................................................. 0.9583 

Rock, WI 

3640 ........................................................ Jersey City, NJ ......................................................................................................... 1.0923 

Hudson, NJ 

3660 ........................................................ Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA .................................................................... 0.8202 

Carter, TN 

Hawkins, TN 

Sullivan, TN 

Unicoi, TN 

Washington, TN 

Bristol City, VA 

Scott, VA 

Washington, VA 

3680 ........................................................ Johnstown, PA .......................................................................................................... 0.7980 

Cambria, PA 

Somerset, PA 

3700 ........................................................ Jonesboro, AR .......................................................................................................... 0.8144 

Craighead, AR 

3710 ........................................................ Joplin, MO ................................................................................................................ 0.8721 

Jasper, MO 

Newton, MO 

3720 ........................................................ Kalamazoo-Battlecreek, MI ...................................................................................... 1.0350 

Calhoun, MI 

Kalamazoo, MI 

Van Buren, MI 

3740 ........................................................ Kankakee, IL ............................................................................................................. 1.0603 

Kankakee, IL 

3760 ........................................................ Kansas City, KS-MO ................................................................................................ 0.9641 

Johnson, KS 

Leavenworth, KS 

Miami, KS 

Wyandotte, KS 

Cass, MO 

Clay, MO 

Clinton, MO 

Jackson, MO 

Lafayette, MO 

Platte, MO 

Ray, MO 

3800 ........................................................ Kenosha, WI ............................................................................................................. 0.9772 

Kenosha, WI 

3810 ........................................................ Killeen-Temple, TX ................................................................................................... 0.9242 

Bell, TX 

Coryell, TX 

3840 ........................................................ Knoxville, TN ............................................................................................................ 0.8508 

78454 Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 250 / Thursday, December 30, 2004 / Notices 

TABLE 8.—WAGE INDEX FOR URBAN AREAS—Continued

MSA Urban area (constituent counties or county equivalents) Wage index 

Anderson, TN 

Blount, TN 

Knox, TN 

Loudon, TN 

Sevier, TN 

Union, TN 

3850 ........................................................ Kokomo, IN ............................................................................................................... 0.8986 

Howard, IN 

Tipton, IN 

3870 ........................................................ La Crosse, WI-MN .................................................................................................... 0.9289 

Houston, MN 

La Crosse, WI 

3880 ........................................................ Lafayette, LA ............................................................................................................ 0.8105 

Acadia, LA 

Lafayette, LA 

St. Landry, LA 

St. Martin, LA 

3920 ........................................................ Lafayette, IN ............................................................................................................. 0.9067 

Clinton, IN 

Tippecanoe, IN 

3960 ........................................................ Lake Charles, LA ...................................................................................................... 0.7959 (0.7972**) 

Calcasieu, LA 

3980 ........................................................ Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL ...................................................................................... 0.8930 

Polk, FL 

4000 ........................................................ Lancaster, PA ........................................................................................................... 0.9883 

Lancaster, PA 

4040 ........................................................ Lansing-East Lansing, MI ......................................................................................... 0.9658 

Clinton, MI 

Eaton, MI 

Ingham, MI 

4080 ........................................................ Laredo, TX ................................................................................................................ 0.8747 

Webb, TX 

4100 ........................................................ Las Cruces, NM ........................................................................................................ 0.8784 

Dona Ana, NM 

4120 ........................................................ Las Vegas, NV-AZ .................................................................................................... 1.1121 

Mohave, AZ 

Clark, NV 

Nye, NV 

4150 ........................................................ Lawrence, KS ........................................................................................................... 0.8644 

Douglas, KS 

4200 ........................................................ Lawton, OK ............................................................................................................... 0.8212 

Comanche, OK 

4243 ........................................................ Lewiston-Auburn, ME ............................................................................................... 0.9562 

Androscoggin, ME 

4280 ........................................................ Lexington, KY ........................................................................................................... 0.8053 (0.9219**) 

Bourbon, KY 

Clark, KY 

Fayette, KY 

Jessamine, KY 

Madison, KY 

Scott, KY 

Woodford, KY 

4320 ........................................................ Lima, OH .................................................................................................................. 0.9258 

Allen, OH 

Auglaize, OH 

4360 ........................................................ Lincoln, NE ............................................................................................................... 1.0208 

Lancaster, NE 

4400 ........................................................ Little Rock-North Little, AR ....................................................................................... 0.8826 

Faulkner, AR 

Lonoke, AR 

Pulaski, AR 

Saline, AR 

4420 ........................................................ Longview-Marshall, TX ............................................................................................. 0.8739 

Gregg, TX 

Harrison, TX 

Upshur, TX 

4480 ........................................................ Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA .................................................................................. 1.1732 

Los Angeles, CA 

4520 ........................................................ Louisville, KY-IN ....................................................................................................... 0.9162 

Clark, IN 

Floyd, IN 

Harrison, IN 

Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 250 / Thursday, December 30, 2004 / Notices 78455

TABLE 8.—WAGE INDEX FOR URBAN AREAS—Continued

MSA Urban area (constituent counties or county equivalents) Wage index 

Scott, IN 

Bullitt, KY 

Jefferson, KY 

Oldham, KY 

4600 ........................................................ Lubbock, TX ............................................................................................................. 0.8777 

Lubbock, TX 

4640 ........................................................ Lynchburg, VA .......................................................................................................... 0.9017 

Amherst, VA 

Bedford City, VA 

Bedford, VA 

Campbell, VA 

Lynchburg City, VA 

4680 ........................................................ Macon, GA ................................................................................................................ 0.9596 

Bibb, GA 

Houston, GA 

Jones, GA 

Peach, GA 

Twiggs, GA 

4720 ........................................................ Madison, WI .............................................................................................................. 1.0395 

Dane, WI 

4800 ........................................................ Mansfield, OH ........................................................................................................... 0.9105 

Crawford, OH 

Richland, OH 

4840 ........................................................ Mayaguez, PR .......................................................................................................... 0.4769 

Anasco, PR 

Cabo Rojo, PR 

Hormigueros, PR 

Mayaguez, PR 

Sabana Grande, PR 

San German, PR 

4880 ........................................................ McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX ................................................................................. 0.8602 

Hidalgo, TX 

4890 ........................................................ Medford-Ashland, OR ............................................................................................... 1.0534 

Jackson, OR 

4900 ........................................................ Melbourne-Titusville-Palm Bay, FL .......................................................................... 0.9633 

Brevard, FL 

4920 ........................................................ Memphis, TN-AR-MS ............................................................................................... 0.9234 

Crittenden, AR 

De Soto, MS 

Fayette, TN 

Shelby, TN 

Tipton, TN 

4940 ........................................................ Merced, CA ............................................................................................................... 1.0575 

Merced, CA 

5000 ........................................................ Miami, FL .................................................................................................................. 1.0025 (0.9870**) 

Dade, FL 

5015 ........................................................ Middlesex-Somerset-Hunterdon, NJ ........................................................................ 1.1360 

Hunterdon, NJ 

Middlesex, NJ 

Somerset, NJ 

5080 ........................................................ Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI ........................................................................................ 1.0076 

Milwaukee, WI 

Ozaukee, WI 

Washington, WI 

Waukesha, WI 

5120 ........................................................ Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN-WI ................................................................................... 1.1066 

Anoka, MN 

Carver, MN 

Chisago, MN 

Dakota, MN 

Hennepin, MN 

Isanti, MN 

Ramsey, MN 

Scott, MN 

Sherburne, MN 

Washington, MN 

Wright, MN 

Pierce, WI 

St. Croix, WI 

5140 ........................................................ Missoula, MT ............................................................................................................ 0.9618 

Missoula, MT 

5160 ........................................................ Mobile, AL ................................................................................................................. 0.7932 

78456 Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 250 / Thursday, December 30, 2004 / Notices 

TABLE 8.—WAGE INDEX FOR URBAN AREAS—Continued

MSA Urban area (constituent counties or county equivalents) Wage index 

Baldwin, AL 

Mobile, AL 

5170 ........................................................ Modesto, CA ............................................................................................................. 1.1966 

Stanislaus, CA 

5190 ........................................................ Monmouth-Ocean, NJ .............................................................................................. 1.0888 

Monmouth, NJ 

Ocean, NJ 

5200 ........................................................ Monroe, LA ............................................................................................................... 0.7913 

Ouachita, LA 

5240 ........................................................ Montgomery, AL ....................................................................................................... 0.8300 

Autauga, AL 

Elmore, AL 

Montgomery, AL 

5280 ........................................................ Muncie, IN ................................................................................................................ 0.8580 

Delaware, IN 

5330 ........................................................ Myrtle Beach, SC ..................................................................................................... 0.9022 

Horry, SC 

5345 ........................................................ Naples, FL ................................................................................................................ 1.0558 

Collier, FL 

5360 ........................................................ Nashville, TN ............................................................................................................ 1.0108 

Cheatham, TN 

Davidson, TN 

Dickson, TN 

Robertson, TN 

Rutherford, TN 

Sumner, TN 

Williamson, TN 

Wilson, TN 

5380 ........................................................ Nassau-Suffolk, NY .................................................................................................. 1.2921 (1.2907**) 

Nassau, NY 

Suffolk, NY 

5483 ........................................................ New Haven-Bridgeport-Stamford-Waterbury-Danbury, CT ...................................... 1.2254 

Fairfield, CT 

New Haven, CT 

5523 ........................................................ New London-Norwich, CT ........................................................................................ 1.1596 

New London, CT 

5560 ........................................................ New Orleans, LA ...................................................................................................... 0.9103 

Jefferson, LA 

Orleans, LA 

Plaquemines, LA 

St. Bernard, LA 

St. Charles, LA 

St. James, LA 

St. John The Baptist, LA 

St. Tammany, LA 

5600 ........................................................ New York, NY ........................................................................................................... 1.3587 (1.3586**) 

Bronx, NY 

Kings, NY 

New York, NY 

Putnam, NY 

Queens, NY 

Richmond, NY 

Rockland, NY 

Westchester, NY 

5640 ........................................................ Newark, NJ ............................................................................................................... 1.1625 

Essex, NJ 

Morris, NJ 

Sussex, NJ 

Union, NJ 

Warren, NJ 

5660 ........................................................ Newburgh, NY-PA .................................................................................................... 1.1170 

Orange, NY 

Pike, PA 

5720 ........................................................ Norfolk-Virginia Beach-Newport News, VA-NC ........................................................ 0.8894 

Currituck, NC 

Chesapeake City, VA 

Gloucester, VA 

Hampton City, VA 

Isle of Wight, VA 

James City, VA 

Mathews, VA 

Newport News City, VA 

Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 250 / Thursday, December 30, 2004 / Notices 78457

TABLE 8.—WAGE INDEX FOR URBAN AREAS—Continued

MSA Urban area (constituent counties or county equivalents) Wage index 

Norfolk City, VA 

Poquoson City,VA 

Portsmouth City, VA 

Suffolk City, VA 

Virginia Beach City, VA 

Williamsburg City, VA 

York, VA 

5775 ........................................................ Oakland, CA ............................................................................................................. 1.5220 

Alameda, CA 

Contra Costa, CA 

5790 ........................................................ Ocala, FL .................................................................................................................. 0.9153 

Marion, FL 

5800 ........................................................ Odessa-Midland, TX ................................................................................................. 0.9632 

Ector, TX 

Midland, TX 

5880 ........................................................ Oklahoma City, OK ................................................................................................... 0.8966 

Canadian, OK 

Cleveland, OK 

Logan, OK 

McClain, OK 

Oklahoma, OK 

Pottawatomie, OK 

5910 ........................................................ Olympia, WA ............................................................................................................. 1.1006 

Thurston, WA 

5920 ........................................................ Omaha, NE-IA .......................................................................................................... 0.9754 

Pottawattamie, IA 

Cass, NE 

Douglas, NE 

Sarpy, NE 

Washington, NE 

5945 ........................................................ Orange County, CA .................................................................................................. 1.1611 

Orange, CA 

5960 ........................................................ Orlando, FL ............................................................................................................... 0.9742 

Lake, FL 

Orange, FL 

Osceola, FL 

Seminole, FL 

5990 ........................................................ Owensboro, KY ........................................................................................................ 0.8434 

Daviess, KY 

6015 ........................................................ Panama City, FL ....................................................................................................... 0.8124 

Bay, FL 

6020 ........................................................ Parkersburg-Marietta, WV-OH ................................................................................. 0.8288 

Washington, OH 

Wood, WV 

6080 ........................................................ Pensacola, FL ........................................................................................................... 0.8306 

Escambia, FL 

Santa Rosa, FL 

6120 ........................................................ Peoria-Pekin, IL ........................................................................................................ 0.8886 

Peoria, IL 

Tazewell, IL 

Woodford, IL 

6160 ........................................................ Philadelphia, PA-NJ .................................................................................................. 1.0824 

Burlington, NJ 

Camden, NJ 

Gloucester, NJ 

Salem, NJ 

Bucks, PA 

Chester, PA 

Delaware, PA 

Montgomery, PA 

Philadelphia, PA 

6200 ........................................................ Phoenix-Mesa, AZ .................................................................................................... 0.9982 

Maricopa, AZ 

Pinal, AZ 

6240 ........................................................ Pine Bluff, AR ........................................................................................................... 0.8673 

Jefferson, AR 

6280 ........................................................ Pittsburgh, PA ........................................................................................................... 0.8756 

Allegheny, PA 

Beaver, PA 

Butler, PA 

Fayette, PA 

Washington, PA 

78458 Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 250 / Thursday, December 30, 2004 / Notices 

TABLE 8.—WAGE INDEX FOR URBAN AREAS—Continued

MSA Urban area (constituent counties or county equivalents) Wage index 

Westmoreland, PA 

6323 ........................................................ Pittsfield, MA ............................................................................................................. 1.0439 

Berkshire, MA 

6340 ........................................................ Pocatello, ID ............................................................................................................. 0.9601 

Bannock, ID 

6360 ........................................................ Ponce, PR ................................................................................................................ 0.4954 

Guayanilla, PR 

Juana Diaz, PR 

Penuelas, PR 

Ponce, PR 

Villalba, PR 

Yauco, PR 

6403 ........................................................ Portland, ME ............................................................................................................. 1.0112 

Cumberland, ME 

Sagadahoc, ME 

York, ME 

6440 ........................................................ Portland-Vancouver, OR-WA ................................................................................... 1.1403 

Clackamas, OR 

Columbia, OR 

Multnomah, OR 

Washington, OR 

Yamhill, OR 

Clark, WA 

6483 ........................................................ Providence-Warwick-Pawtucket, RI ......................................................................... 1.1061 

Bristol, RI 

Kent, RI 

Newport, RI 

Providence, RI 

Washington, RI 

6520 ........................................................ Provo-Orem, UT ....................................................................................................... 0.9613 

Utah, UT 

6560 ........................................................ Pueblo, CO ............................................................................................................... 0.8752 

Pueblo, CO 

6580 ........................................................ Punta Gorda, FL ....................................................................................................... 0.9441 

Charlotte, FL 

6600 ........................................................ Racine, WI ................................................................................................................ 0.9045 

Racine, WI 

6640 ........................................................ Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ............................................................................. 1.0258 

Chatham, NC 

Durham, NC 

Franklin, NC 

Johnston, NC 

Orange, NC 

Wake, NC 

6660 ........................................................ Rapid City, SD .......................................................................................................... 0.8912 

Pennington, SD 

6680 ........................................................ Reading, PA ............................................................................................................. 0.9215 

Berks, PA 

6690 ........................................................ Redding, CA ............................................................................................................. 1.1835 

Shasta, CA 

6720 ........................................................ Reno, NV .................................................................................................................. 1.0456 

Washoe, NV 

6740 ........................................................ Richland-Kennewick-Pasco, WA .............................................................................. 1.0520 

Benton, WA 

Franklin, WA 

6760 ........................................................ Richmond-Petersburg, VA ........................................................................................ 0.9397 

Charles City County, VA 

Chesterfield, VA 

Colonial Heights City, VA 

Dinwiddie, VA 

Goochland, VA 

Hanover, VA 

Henrico, VA 

Hopewell City, VA 

New Kent, VA 

Petersburg City, VA 

Powhatan, VA 

Prince George, VA 

Richmond City, VA 

6780 ........................................................ Riverside-San Bernardino, CA ................................................................................. 1.0975 (1.0970**) 

Riverside, CA 

San Bernardino, CA 

Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 250 / Thursday, December 30, 2004 / Notices 78459

TABLE 8.—WAGE INDEX FOR URBAN AREAS—Continued

MSA Urban area (constituent counties or county equivalents) Wage index 

6800 ........................................................ Roanoke, VA ............................................................................................................ 0.8428 

Botetourt, VA 

Roanoke, VA 

Roanoke City, VA 

Salem City, VA 

6820 ........................................................ Rochester, MN .......................................................................................................... 1.1504 

Olmsted, MN 

6840 ........................................................ Rochester, NY .......................................................................................................... 0.9196 

Genesee, NY 

Livingston, NY 

Monroe, NY 

Ontario, NY 

Orleans, NY 

Wayne, NY 

6880 ........................................................ Rockford, IL .............................................................................................................. 0.9626 

Boone, IL 

Ogle, IL 

Winnebago, IL 

6895 ........................................................ Rocky Mount, NC ..................................................................................................... 0.8998 

Edgecombe, NC 

Nash, NC 

6920 ........................................................ Sacramento, CA ....................................................................................................... 1.1848 

El Dorado, CA 

Placer, CA 

Sacramento, CA 

6960 ........................................................ Saginaw-Bay City-Midland, MI ................................................................................. 0.9696 

Bay, MI 

Midland, MI 

Saginaw, MI 

6980 ........................................................ St. Cloud, MN ........................................................................................................... 1.0215 

Benton, MN 

Stearns, MN 

7000 ........................................................ St. Joseph, MO ......................................................................................................... 1.0013 

Andrews, MO 

Buchanan, MO 

7040 ........................................................ St. Louis, MO-IL ....................................................................................................... 0.9081 

Clinton, IL 

Jersey, IL 

Madison, IL 

Monroe, IL 

St. Clair, IL 

Franklin, MO 

Jefferson, MO 

Lincoln, MO 

St. Charles, MO 

St. Louis, MO 

St. Louis City, MO 

Warren, MO 

Sullivan City, MO 

7080 ........................................................ Salem, OR ................................................................................................................ 1.0556 

Marion, OR 

Polk, OR 

7120 ........................................................ Salinas, CA ............................................................................................................... 1.3823 

Monterey, CA 

7160 ........................................................ Salt Lake City-Ogden, UT ........................................................................................ 0.9487 

Davis, UT 

Salt Lake, UT 

Weber, UT 

7200 ........................................................ San Angelo, TX ........................................................................................................ 0.8167 

Tom Green, TX 

7240 ........................................................ San Antonio, TX ....................................................................................................... 0.9023 

Bexar, TX 

Comal, TX 

Guadalupe, TX 

Wilson, TX 

7320 ........................................................ San Diego, CA .......................................................................................................... 1.1267 

San Diego, CA 

7360 ........................................................ San Francisco, CA ................................................................................................... 1.4712 

Marin, CA 

San Francisco, CA 

San Mateo, CA 

7400 ........................................................ San Jose, CA ........................................................................................................... 1.4744 

78460 Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 250 / Thursday, December 30, 2004 / Notices 

TABLE 8.—WAGE INDEX FOR URBAN AREAS—Continued

MSA Urban area (constituent counties or county equivalents) Wage index 

Santa Clara, CA 

7440 ........................................................ San Juan-Bayamon, PR ........................................................................................... 0.4802 

Aguas Buenas, PR 

Barceloneta, PR 

Bayamon, PR 

Canovanas, PR 

Carolina, PR 

Catano, PR 

Ceiba, PR 

Comerio, PR 

Corozal, PR 

Dorado, PR 

Fajardo, PR 

Florida, PR 

Guaynabo, PR 

Humacao, PR 

Juncos, PR 

Los Piedras, PR 

Loiza, PR 

Luguillo, PR 

Manati, PR 

Morovis, PR 

Naguabo, PR 

Naranjito, PR 

Rio Grande, PR 

San Juan, PR 

Toa Alta, PR 

Toa Baja, PR 

Trujillo Alto, PR 

Vega Alta, PR 

Vega Baja, PR 

Yabucoa, PR 

7460 ........................................................ San Luis Obispo-Atascadero-Paso Robles, CA ....................................................... 1.1118 

San Luis Obispo, CA 

7480 ........................................................ Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Lompoc, CA ................................................................ 1.0771 

Santa Barbara, CA 

7485 ........................................................ Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ..................................................................................... 1.4779 

Santa Cruz, CA 

7490 ........................................................ Santa Fe, NM ........................................................................................................... 1.0590 

Los Alamos, NM 

Santa Fe, NM 

7500 ........................................................ Santa Rosa, CA ........................................................................................................ 1.2961 

Sonoma, CA 

7510 ........................................................ Sarasota-Bradenton, FL ........................................................................................... 0.9629 

Manatee, FL 

Sarasota, FL 

7520 ........................................................ Savannah, GA .......................................................................................................... 0.9460 

Bryan, GA 

Chatham, GA 

Effingham, GA 

7560 ........................................................ Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA ..................................................................... 0.8522 

Columbia, PA 

Lackawanna, PA 

Luzerne, PA 

Wyoming, PA 

7600 ........................................................ Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA ................................................................................... 1.1479 

Island, WA 

King, WA 

Snohomish, WA 

7610 ........................................................ Sharon, PA ............................................................................................................... 0.7881 

Mercer, PA 

7620 ........................................................ Sheboygan, WI ......................................................................................................... 0.8948 

Sheboygan, WI 

7640 ........................................................ Sherman-Denison, TX .............................................................................................. 0.9617 

Grayson, TX 

7680 ........................................................ Shreveport-Bossier City, LA ..................................................................................... 0.9111 

Bossier, LA 

Caddo, LA 

Webster, LA 

7720 ........................................................ Sioux City, IA-NE ...................................................................................................... 0.9094 

Woodbury, IA 

Dakota, NE 

Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 250 / Thursday, December 30, 2004 / Notices 78461

TABLE 8.—WAGE INDEX FOR URBAN AREAS—Continued

MSA Urban area (constituent counties or county equivalents) Wage index 

7760 ........................................................ Sioux Falls, SD ......................................................................................................... 0.9441 

Lincoln, SD 

Minnehaha, SD 

7800 ........................................................ South Bend, IN ......................................................................................................... 0.9447 

St. Joseph, IN 

7840 ........................................................ Spokane, WA ............................................................................................................ 1.0660 

Spokane, WA 

7880 ........................................................ Springfield, IL ............................................................................................................ 0.8738 

Menard, IL 

Sangamon, IL 

7920 ........................................................ Springfield, MO ......................................................................................................... 0.8597 

Christian, MO 

Greene, MO 

Webster, MO 

8003 ........................................................ Springfield, MA ......................................................................................................... 1.0173 

Hampden, MA 

Hampshire, MA 

8050 ........................................................ State College, PA ..................................................................................................... 0.8461 

Centre, PA 

8080 ........................................................ Steubenville-Weirton, OH-WV .................................................................................. 0.8280 

Jefferson, OH 

Brooke, WV 

Hancock, WV 

8120 ........................................................ Stockton-Lodi, CA ..................................................................................................... 1.0564 

San Joaquin, CA 

8140 ........................................................ Sumter, SC ............................................................................................................... 0.8520 

Sumter, SC 

8160 ........................................................ Syracuse, NY ............................................................................................................ 0.9394 

Cayuga, NY 

Madison, NY 

Onondaga, NY 

Oswego, NY 

8200 ........................................................ Tacoma, WA ............................................................................................................. 1.1078 

Pierce, WA 

8240 ........................................................ Tallahassee, FL ........................................................................................................ 0.8655 

Gadsden, FL 

Leon, FL 

8280 ........................................................ Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL ..................................................................... 0.9024 

Hernando, FL 

Hillsborough, FL 

Pasco, FL 

Pinellas, FL 

8320 ........................................................ Terre Haute, IN ......................................................................................................... 0.8582 

Clay, IN 

Vermillion, IN 

Vigo, IN 

8360 ........................................................ Texarkana, AR-Texarkana, TX ................................................................................. 0.8413 

Miller, AR 

Bowie, TX 

8400 ........................................................ Toledo, OH ............................................................................................................... 0.9524 

Fulton, OH 

Lucas, OH 

Wood, OH 

8440 ........................................................ Topeka, KS ............................................................................................................... 0.8904 

Shawnee, KS 

8480 ........................................................ Trenton, NJ ............................................................................................................... 1.0276 

Mercer, NJ 

8520 ........................................................ Tucson, AZ ............................................................................................................... 0.8926 

Pima, AZ 

8560 ........................................................ Tulsa, OK .................................................................................................................. 0.8729 

Creek, OK 

Osage, OK 

Rogers, OK 

Tulsa, OK 

Wagoner, OK 

8600 ........................................................ Tuscaloosa, AL ......................................................................................................... 0.8440 

Tuscaloosa, AL 

8640 ........................................................ Tyler, TX ................................................................................................................... 0.9502 

Smith, TX 

8680 ........................................................ Utica-Rome, NY ........................................................................................................ 0.8295 

Herkimer, NY 

Oneida, NY 

78462 Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 250 / Thursday, December 30, 2004 / Notices 

TABLE 8.—WAGE INDEX FOR URBAN AREAS—Continued

MSA Urban area (constituent counties or county equivalents) Wage index 

8720 ........................................................ Vallejo-Fairfield-Napa, CA ........................................................................................ 1.3517 

Napa, CA 

Solano, CA 

8735 ........................................................ Ventura, CA .............................................................................................................. 1.1105 

Ventura, CA 

8750 ........................................................ Victoria, TX ............................................................................................................... 0.8469 

Victoria, TX 

8760 ........................................................ Vineland-Millville-Bridgeton, NJ ................................................................................ 1.0573 

Cumberland, NJ 

8780 ........................................................ Visalia-Tulare-Porterville, CA ................................................................................... 0.9964 (0.9975**) 

Tulare, CA 

8800 ........................................................ Waco, TX .................................................................................................................. 0.8146 

McLennan, TX 

8840 ........................................................ Washington, DC-MD-VA-WV .................................................................................... 1.0971 

District of Columbia, DC 

Calvert, MD 

Charles, MD 

Frederick, MD 

Montgomery, MD 

Prince Georges, MD 

Alexandria City, VA 

Arlington, VA 

Clarke, VA 

Culpepper, VA 

Fairfax, VA 

Fairfax City, VA 

Falls Church City, VA 

Fauquier, VA 

Fredericksburg City, VA 

King George, VA 

Loudoun, VA 

Manassas City, VA 

Manassas Park City, VA 

Prince William, VA 

Spotsylvania, VA 

Stafford, VA 

Warren, VA 

Berkeley, WV 

Jefferson, WV 

8920 ........................................................ Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA .......................................................................................... 0.8633 

Black Hawk, IA 

8940 ........................................................ Wausau, WI .............................................................................................................. 0.9570 

Marathon, WI 

8960 ........................................................ West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, FL .......................................................................... 1.0059 (1.0362**) 

Palm Beach, FL 

9000 ........................................................ Wheeling, OH-WV .................................................................................................... 0.7449 

Belmont, OH 

Marshall, WV 

Ohio, WV 

9040 ........................................................ Wichita, KS ............................................................................................................... 0.9472 (0.9468**) 

Butler, KS 

Harvey, KS 

Sedgwick, KS 

9080 ........................................................ Wichita Falls, TX ...................................................................................................... 0.8395 

Archer, TX 

Wichita, TX 

9140 ........................................................ Williamsport, PA ....................................................................................................... 0.8485 

Lycoming, PA 

9160 ........................................................ Wilmington-Newark, DE-MD ..................................................................................... 1.1121 

New Castle, DE 

Cecil, MD 

9200 ........................................................ Wilmington, NC ......................................................................................................... 0.9237 

New Hanover, NC 

Brunswick, NC 

9260 ........................................................ Yakima, WA .............................................................................................................. 1.0322 

Yakima, WA 

9270 ........................................................ Yolo, CA ................................................................................................................... 0.9378 

Yolo, CA 

9280 ........................................................ York, PA ................................................................................................................... 0.9150 

York, PA 

9320 ........................................................ Youngstown-Warren, OH ......................................................................................... 0.9517 

Columbiana, OH 

Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 250 / Thursday, December 30, 2004 / Notices 78463

TABLE 8.—WAGE INDEX FOR URBAN AREAS—Continued

MSA Urban area (constituent counties or county equivalents) Wage index 

Mahoning, OH 

Trumbull, OH 

9340 ........................................................ Yuba City, CA ........................................................................................................... 1.0363 

Sutter, CA 

Yuba, CA 

9360 ........................................................ Yuma, AZ .................................................................................................................. 0.8871 

Yuma, AZ 

**Effective January 1, 2005 

2. On page 45815, Table 9 is revised 

to read as follows:

TABLE 9.—WAGE INDEX FOR RURAL

AREAS

Nonurban area Wage

index 

Alabama .......................................... 0.7637 

Alaska ............................................. 1.1637 

Arizona ............................................ 0.9140 

Arkansas ......................................... 0.7703 

California ......................................... 1.0297 

Colorado ......................................... 0.9368 

Connecticut ..................................... 1.1917 

Delaware ......................................... 0.9503 

Florida ............................................. 0.8721 

Georgia ........................................... 0.8247 

Guam .............................................. 0.9611 

Hawaii ............................................. 1.0522 

Idaho ............................................... 0.8826 

Illinois .............................................. 0.8340 

Indiana ............................................ 0.8736 

Iowa ................................................ 0.8550 

Kansas ............................................ 0.8087 

TABLE 9.—WAGE INDEX FOR RURAL

AREAS—Continued

Nonurban area Wage

index 

Kentucky ......................................... 0.7844 

Louisiana ........................................ 0.7290 

Maine .............................................. 0.9039 

Maryland ......................................... 0.9179 

Massachusetts ................................ 1.0216 

Michigan ......................................... 0.8740 

Minnesota ....................................... 0.9339 

Mississippi ...................................... 0.7583 

Missouri .......................................... 0.7829 

Montana .......................................... 0.8701 

Nebraska ........................................ 0.9035 

Nevada ........................................... 0.9832 

New Hampshire .............................. 0.9940 

New Jersey 1 ................................... ..............

New Mexico .................................... 0.8529 

New York ........................................ 0.8403 

North Carolina ................................ 0.8500 

North Dakota .................................. 0.7743 

Ohio ................................................ 0.8759 

Oklahoma ....................................... 0.7537 

Oregon ............................................ 1.0049 

TABLE 9.—WAGE INDEX FOR RURAL

AREAS—Continued

Nonurban area Wage

index 

Pennsylvania .................................. 0.8348 

Puerto Rico ..................................... 0.4047 

Rhode Island 1 ................................ ..............

South Carolina ................................ 0.8640 

South Dakota .................................. 0.8393 

Tennessee ...................................... 0.7876 

Texas .............................................. 0.7910 

Utah ................................................ 0.8843 

Vermont .......................................... 0.9375 

Virginia ............................................ 0.8479 

Virgin Islands .................................. 0.7456 

Washington ..................................... 1.0072 

West Virginia .................................. 0.8083 

Wisconsin ....................................... 0.9498 

Wyoming ......................................... 0.9182 

1All counties within the State are classified 

urban. 

3. On page 45817, Table 10 is revised 

to read as follows:

TABLE 10.—SNF XYZ: LOCATED IN STATE COLLEGE, PA 

[Wage Index: 0.8461] 

RUG Group Labor Wage index Adj. labor Non-labor Adj. rate Percent

adjustment 

Medicare 

days Payment 

RVC .................. $274.56 0.8461 $232.31 $85.65 $317.96 *$339.26 14 $4,750 

RHA .................. $212.18 0.8461 $179.53 $66.19 $245.72 *$262.18 16 $4,195 

CC2 .................. $175.71 0.8461 $148.67 $54.82 $203.49 **$463.96 10 $4,640 

SSC .................. $176.74 0.8461 $149.54 $55.13 $204.67 ***$245.60 30 $7,368 

IA2 .................... $119.84 0.8461 $101.40 $37.39 $138.79 $138.79 30 $4,164 

Total .......... ...................... ...................... ...................... ...................... ...................... ...................... 100 $25,117 

*Reflects a 6.7 percent adjustment from section 314 of the BIPA. 

**Reflects a 128 percent adjustment from section 511 of the MMA. Section 101(a) of the BBRA no longer applies because of the MMA section 

511 adjustment. 

***Reflects a 20 percent adjustment from section 101(a) of the BBRA. 

4. On page 45821, Table 12 is revised 

to read as follows:

TABLE 12.—PROJECTED IMPACT OF FY 2005 UPDATE TO THE SNF PPS 

Number of 

facilities 

Wage index 

change 

Total FY 

2005 

change 

Total ......................................................................................................................................................... 15,252 0.0% 2.8% 

Urban ....................................................................................................................................................... 10,016 0.0% 2.8% 

Rural ........................................................................................................................................................ 5,236 0.0% 2.8% 

Hospital based urban ............................................................................................................................... 984 0.1% 2.9% 

78464 Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 250 / Thursday, December 30, 2004 / Notices 

TABLE 12.—PROJECTED IMPACT OF FY 2005 UPDATE TO THE SNF PPS—Continued

Number of 

facilities 

Wage index 

change 

Total FY 

2005 

change 

Freestanding urban .................................................................................................................................. 8,466 0.0% 2.8% 

Hospital based rural ................................................................................................................................. 640 0.1% 2.9% 

Freestanding rural .................................................................................................................................... 3,708 0.0% 2.8% 

Urban by region: 

New England .................................................................................................................................... 913 ¥0.6% 2.2% 

Middle Atlantic .................................................................................................................................. 1,526 ¥0.7% 2.1% 

South Atlantic ................................................................................................................................... 1,610 0.3% 3.1% 

East North Central ............................................................................................................................ 1,943 0.2% 3.0% 

East South Central ........................................................................................................................... 456 0.0% 2.8% 

West North Central ........................................................................................................................... 691 0.4% 3.2% 

West South Central .......................................................................................................................... 965 0.8% 3.6% 

Mountain ........................................................................................................................................... 432 ¥0.4% 2.4% 

Pacific ............................................................................................................................................... 1,473 0.4% 3.2% 

Rural by region: 

New England .................................................................................................................................... 149 0.4% 3.2% 

Middle Atlantic .................................................................................................................................. 254 ¥0.4% 2.4% 

South Atlantic ................................................................................................................................... 715 ¥0.3% 2.5% 

East North Central ............................................................................................................................ 948 0.1% 2.9% 

Central East South ........................................................................................................................... 595 ¥0.4% 2.4% 

West North Central ........................................................................................................................... 1,220 0.5% 3.3% 

West South Central .......................................................................................................................... 817 0.4% 3.2% 

Mountain ........................................................................................................................................... 330 ¥0.2% 2.6% 

Pacific ............................................................................................................................................... 208 0.0% 2.8% 

Ownership: 

Government ...................................................................................................................................... 712 0.0% 2.8% 

Proprietary ........................................................................................................................................ 9,457 0.0% 2.8% 

Voluntary ........................................................................................................................................... 3605 0.0% 2.8% 

III. Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking 

and Delayed Effective Date 

We ordinarily publish a notice of 

proposed rulemaking in the Federal 

Register to provide a period for public 

comment before the provisions of a 

notice such as this take effect in 

accordance with section 553(b) of the 

Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 

U.S.C. 553(b)). We also ordinarily 

provide a 30-day delay in the effective 

date of the provisions of a notice in 

accordance with section 553(d) of the 

APA (5 U.S.C. 553(d)). However, we can 

waive both the notice and comment 

procedure and the 30-day delay in 

effective date if the Secretary finds, for 

good cause, that a notice and comment 

process is impracticable, unnecessary or 

contrary to the public interest, and 

incorporates a statement of the finding 

and the reasons therefore in the notice. 

We find it unnecessary to undertake 

notice-and-comment rulemaking 

because this notice merely provides 

technical corrections to the regulations. 

We are not changing our payment 

methodology, but rather, are simply 

implementing correctly the payment 

methodology that we previously 

proposed, received comment on, and 

subsequently finalized. Thus, because 

the public has already had the 

opportunity to comment on the payment 

methodology being used to calculate 

wage indexes, additional comment 

would be unnecessary. 

Further, we believe a delayed 

effective date is unnecessary because 

this correction notice merely corrects 

inadvertent technical errors. Further, we 

believe imposing a 30-day delay in the 

effective date would be contrary to the 

public interest for SNF providers in the 

affected MSAs. We believe that it is 

imperative that these providers receive 

appropriate SNF PPS payments in as 

timely a manner as possible, and any 

delay in applying the appropriate wage 

index would be contrary to the public 

interest. Further, the changes noted 

above do not make any substantive 

changes to the SNF PPS payment 

methodology or underlying payment 

policies. Therefore, we find good cause 

to waive notice-and-comment 

procedures, as well as the 30-day delay 

in effective date.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 

Program No. 93.773, Medicare—Hospital 

Insurance; and Program No. 93.774, 

Medicare—Supplementary Medical 

Insurance Program)

Dated: December 15, 2004. 

Ann Agnew, 

Executive Secretary to the Department.

[FR Doc. 04–28157 Filed 12–29–04; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4120–01–P

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND 

HUMAN SERVICES 

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid 

Services 

[CMS–1285–N] 

Medicare Program: Meeting of the 

Advisory Panel on Ambulatory 

Payment Classification (APC) Groups 

(Panel)—February 23, 24, and 25, 2005, 

and Re-chartering of APC Panel on 

November 8, 2004

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & 

Medicaid Services (CMS), Department 

of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

ACTION: Notice of meeting and rechartering of Panel. 

SUMMARY: In accordance with section 

10(a) of the Federal Advisory Committee 

Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2), this 

notice announces the first biannual 

meeting of the Ambulatory Payment 

Classification (APC) Panel for 2005. 

The purpose of the Panel is to review 

the APC groups and their associated 

weights and to advise the Secretary of 

the Department of Health and Human 

Services and the Administrator of the 

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid 

Services concerning the clinical 

integrity of the APC groups and their 

associated weights. The advice provided 

by the Panel will be considered as CMS 

prepares its annual updates of the