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 Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services [CMS-1249-CN2]
RIN 0938-AM46
 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: 
                    ( print page 78446) Table 8.—Wage Index for Urban Areas
MSA
Urban area (constituent counties or county equivalents)
Wage index0040
Abilene, TX
0.8009Taylor, TX0060
Aguadilla, PR
0.4294Aguada, PRAguadilla, PRMoca, PR0080
Akron, OH
0.9055Portage, OHSummit, OH0120
Albany, GA
1.1266Dougherty, GALee, GA0160
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
0.8570Albany, NYMontgomery, NYRensselaer, NYSaratoga, NYSchenectady, NYSchoharie, NY0200
Albuquerque, NM
1.0485Bernalillo, NMSandoval, NMValencia, NM0220
Alexandria, LA
0.8171Rapides, LA0240
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA
0.9536Carbon, PALehigh, PANorthampton, PA0280
Altoona, PA
0.8462Blair, PA0320
Amarillo, TX
0.9178Potter, TXRandall, TX0380
Anchorage, AK
1.2109Anchorage, AK0440
Ann Arbor, MI
1.0816Lenawee, MILivingston, MIWashtenaw, MI0450
Anniston,AL
0.7881Calhoun, AL0460
Appleton-Oshkosh-Neenah, WI
0.9115Calumet, WIOutagamie, WIWinnebago, WI0470
Arecibo, PR
0.3757Arecibo, PRCamuy, PRHatillo, PR0480
Asheville, NC
0.9501Buncombe, NCMadison, NC0500
Athens, GA
1.0202Clarke, GAMadison, GAOconee, GA0520
Atlanta, GA
0.9971Barrow, GABartow, GACarroll, GACherokee, GAClayton, GACobb, GACoweta, GADe Kalb, GADouglas, GAFayette, GAForsyth, GAFulton, GAGwinnett, GAHenry, GA( print page 78447)Newton, GAPaulding, GAPickens, GARockdale, GASpalding, GAWalton, GA0560
Atlantic City-Cape May, NJ
1.0907Atlantic City, NJCape May, NJ0580
Auburn-Opelika, AL
0.8215Lee, AL0600
Augusta-Aiken, GA-SC
0.9208Columbia, GAMcDuffie, GARichmond, GAAiken, SCEdgefield, SC0640
Austin-San Marcos, TX
0.9595Bastrop, TXCaldwell, TXHays, TXTravis, TXWilliamson, TX0680
Bakersfield, CA
1.0036Kern, CA0720
Baltimore, MD
0.9907Anne Arundel, MDBaltimore, MDBaltimore City, MDCarroll, MDHarford, MDHoward, MDQueen Annes, MD0733
Bangor, ME
0.9955Penobscot, ME0743
Barnstable-Yarmouth, MA
1.2335Barnstable, MA0760
Baton Rouge, LA
0.8354Ascension, LAEast Baton RougeLivingston, LAWest Baton Rouge, LA0840
Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX
0.8616Hardin, TXJefferson, TXOrange, TX0860
Bellingham, WA
1.1642Whatcom, WA0870
Benton Harbor, MI
0.8847Berrien, MI0875
Bergen-Passaic, NJ
1.1967Bergen, NJPassaic, NJ0880
Billings, MT
0.8961Yellowstone, MT0920
Biloxi-Gulfport-Pascagoula, MS
0.8649Hancock, MSHarrison, MSJackson, MS0960
Binghamton, NY
0.8447Broome, NYTioga, NY1000
Birmingham, AL
0.9198Blount, ALJefferson, ALSt. Clair, ALShelby, AL1010
Bismarck, ND
0.7505Burleigh, NDMorton, ND1020
Bloomington, IN
0.8587Monroe, IN( print page 78448)1040
Bloomington-Normal, IL
0.9111McLean, IL1080
Boise City, ID
0.9352Ada, IDCanyon, ID1123
Boston-Worcester-Lawrence-Lowell-Brockton, MA-NH
1.1290Bristol, MAEssex, MAMiddlesex, MANorfolk, MAPlymouth, MASuffolk, MAWorcester, MAHillsborough, NHMerrimack, NHRockingham, NHStrafford, NH1125
Boulder-Longmont, CO
1.0046Boulder, CO1145
Brazoria, TX
0.8524Brazoria, TX1150
Bremerton, WA
1.0614Kitsap, WA1240
Brownsville-Harlingen-San Benito, TX
1.0125Cameron, TX1260
Bryan-College Station, TX
0.9243Brazos, TX1280
Buffalo-Niagara Falls, NY
0.9339Erie, NYNiagara, NY1303
Burlington, VT
0.9322Chittenden, VTFranklin, VTGrand Isle, VT1310
Caguas, PR
0.4061Caguas, PRCayey, PRCidra, PRGurabo, PRSan Lorenzo, PR1320
Canton-Massillon, OH
0.8895Carroll, OHStark, OH1350
Casper, WY
0.9243Natrona, WY1360
Cedar Rapids, IA
0.8975Linn, IA1400
Champaign-Urbana, IL
0.9527Champaign, IL1440
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
0.9420Berkeley, SCCharleston, SCDorchester, SC1480
Charleston, WV
0.8876Kanawha, WVPutnam, WV1520
Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, NC-SC
0.9711Cabarrus, NCGaston, NCLincoln, NCMecklenburg, NCRowan, NCUnion, NCYork, SC1540
Charlottesville, VA
1.0294Albemarle, VACharlottesville City, VAFluvanna, VAGreene, VA1560
Chattanooga, TN-GA
0.9207Catoosa, GADade, GA( print page 78449)Walker, GAHamilton, TNMarion, TN1580
Cheyenne, WY
0.8980Laramie, WY1600
Chicago, IL
1.0851Cook, ILDe Kalb, ILDu Page, ILGrundy, ILKane, ILKendall, ILLake, ILMcHenry, ILWill, IL1620
Chico-Paradise, CA
1.0542Butte, CA1640
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
0.9595Dearborn, INOhio, INBoone, KYCampbell, KYGallatin, KYGrant, KYKenton, KYPendleton, KYBrown, OHClermont, OHHamilton, OHWarren, OH1660
Clarksville-Hopkinsville, TN-KY
0.8022Christian, KYMontgomery, TN1680
Cleveland-Lorain-Elyria, OH
0.9626Ashtabula, OHGeauga, OHCuyahoga, OHLake, OHLorain, OHMedina, OH1720
Colorado Springs, CO
0.9792El Paso, CO1740
Columbia MO
0.8396Boone, MO1760
Columbia, SC
0.9450Lexington, SCRichland, SC1800
Columbus, GA-AL
0.8690Russell,ALChattanoochee, GAHarris, GAMuscogee, GA1840
Columbus, OH
0.9753Delaware, OHFairfield, OHFranklin, OHLicking, OHMadison, OHPickaway, OH1880
Corpus Christi, TX
0.8647Nueces, TXSan Patricio, TX1890
Corvallis, OR
1.0545Benton, OR1900
Cumberland, MD-WV
0.8662Allegany MDMineral WV1920
Dallas, TX
1.0054Collin, TXDallas, TXDenton, TXEllis, TX( print page 78450)Henderson, TXHunt, TXKaufman, TXRockwall, TX1950
Danville, VA
0.8643Danville City, VAPittsylvania, VA1960
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL
0.8773Scott, IAHenry, ILRock Island, IL2000
Dayton-Springfield, OH
0.9231Clark, OHGreene, OHMiami, OHMontgomery, OH2020
Daytona Beach, FL
0.8900Flagler, FLVolusia, FL2030
Decatur, AL
0.8894Lawrence, ALMorgan, AL2040
Decatur, IL
0.8122Macon, IL2080
Denver, CO
1.0904Adams, COArapahoe, COBroomfield, CODenver, CODouglas, COJefferson, CO2120
Des Moines, IA
0.9266Dallas, IAPolk, IAWarren, IA2160
Detroit, MI
1.0227Lapeer, MIMacomb, MIMonroe, MIOakland, MISt. Clair, MIWayne, MI2180
Dothan, AL
0.7596Dale, ALHouston, AL2190
Dover, DE
0.9825Kent, DE2200
Dubuque, IA
0.8748Dubuque, IA2240
Duluth-Superior, MN-WI
1.0356St. Louis, MNDouglas, WI2281
Dutchess County, NY
1.1657Dutchess, NY2290
Eau Claire, WI
0.9139Chippewa, WIEau Claire, WI2320
El Paso, TX
0.9181El Paso, TX2330
Elkhart-Goshen, IN
0.9278Elkhart, IN2335
Elmira, NY
0.8445Chemung, NY2340
Enid, OK
0.9001Garfield, OK2360
Erie, PA
0.8699Erie, PA2400
Eugene-Springfield, OR
1.0940Lane, OR2440
Evansville-Henderson, IN-KY
0.8395Posey, INVanderburgh, IN( print page 78451)Warrick, INHenderson, KY2520
Fargo-Moorhead, ND-MN
0.9114Clay, MNCass, ND2560
Fayetteville, NC
0.9363Cumberland, NC2580
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR
0.8636Benton, ARWashington, AR2620
Flagstaff, AZ-UT
1.0611Coconino, AZKane, UT2640
Flint, MI
1.1178Genesee, MI2650
Florence, AL
0.7883Colbert, ALLauderdale, AL2655
Florence, SC
0.8960Florence, SC2670
Fort Collins-Loveland, CO
1.0218Larimer, CO2680
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
1.0165Broward, FL2700
Fort Myers-Cape Coral, FL
0.9371Lee, FL2710
Fort Pierce-Port St. Lucie, FL
1.0046Martin, FLSt. Lucie, FL2720
Fort Smith, AR-OK
0.8303Crawford, ARSebastian, ARSequoyah, OK2750
Fort Walton Beach, FL
0.8786Okaloosa, FL2760
Fort Wayne, IN
0.9737Adams, INAllen, INDe Kalb, INHuntington, INWells, INWhitley, IN2800
Forth Worth-Arlington, TX
0.9520Hood, TXJohnson, TXParker, TXTarrant, TX2840
Fresno, CA
1.0407Fresno, CAMadera, CA2880
Gadsden, AL
0.8049Etowah, AL2900
Gainesville, FL
0.9459Alachua, FL2920
Galveston-Texas City, TX
0.9403Galveston, TX2960
Gary, IN
0.9342Lake, INPorter, IN2975
Glens Falls, NY
0.8467Warren, NYWashington, NY2980
Goldsboro, NC
0.8778Wayne, NC2985
Grand Forks, ND-MN
0.9091Polk, MNGrand Forks, ND2995
Grand Junction, CO
0.9900Mesa, CO3000
Grand Rapids-Muskegon-Holland, MI
0.9519Allegan, MIKent, MI( print page 78452)Muskegon, MIOttawa, MI3040
Great Falls, MT
0.8810Cascade, MT3060
Greeley, CO
0.9444Weld, CO3080
Green Bay, WI
0.9586Brown, WI3120
Greensboro-Winston-Salem-High Point, NC
0.9312Alamance, NCDavidson, NCDavie, NCForsyth, NCGuilford, NCRandolph, NCStokes, NCYadkin, NC3150
Greenville, NC
0.9183Pitt, NC3160
Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson, SC
0.9400Anderson, SCCherokee, SCGreenville, SCPickens, SCSpartanburg, SC3180
Hagerstown, MD
0.9940Washington, MD3200
Hamilton-Middletown, OH
0.9066Butler, OH3240
Harrisburg-Lebanon-Carlisle, PA
0.9286Cumberland, PADauphin, PALebanon, PAPerry, PA3283
Hartford, CT
1.1054Hartford, CTLitchfield, CTMiddlesex, CTTolland, CT3285
Hattiesburg, MS
0.7362Forrest, MSLamar, MS3290
Hickory-Morganton-Lenoir, NC
0.9502Alexander, NCBurke, NCCaldwell, NCCatawba, NC3320
Honolulu, HI
1.1013Honolulu, HI3350
Houma, LA
0.7721Lafourche, LATerrebonne, LA3360
Houston, TX
1.0117Chambers, TXFort Bend, TXHarris, TXLiberty, TXMontgomery, TXWaller, TX3400
Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH
0.9564Boyd, KYCarter, KYGreenup, KYLawrence, OHCabell, WVWayne, WV3440
Huntsville, AL
0.8851Limestone, ALMadison, AL3480
Indianapolis, IN
1.0039Boone, INHamilton, IN( print page 78453)Hancock, INHendricks, INJohnson, INMadison, INMarion, INMorgan, INShelby, IN3500
Iowa City, IA
0.9654Johnson, IA3520
Jackson, MI
0.9146Jackson, MI3560
Jackson, MS
0.8406Hinds, MSMadison, MSRankin, MS3580
Jackson, TN
0.8900Chester, TNMadison, TN3600
Jacksonville, FL
0.9548Clay, FLDuval, FLNassau, FLSt. Johns, FL3605
Jacksonville, NC
0.8401Onslow, NC3610
Jamestown, NY
0.7589Chautaqua, NY3620
Janesville-Beloit, WI
0.9583Rock, WI3640
Jersey City, NJ
1.0923Hudson, NJ3660
Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
0.8202Carter, TNHawkins, TNSullivan, TNUnicoi, TNWashington, TNBristol City, VAScott, VAWashington, VA3680
Johnstown, PA
0.7980Cambria, PASomerset, PA3700
Jonesboro, AR
0.8144Craighead, AR3710
Joplin, MO
0.8721Jasper, MONewton, MO3720
Kalamazoo-Battlecreek, MI
1.0350Calhoun, MIKalamazoo, MIVan Buren, MI3740
Kankakee, IL
1.0603Kankakee, IL3760
Kansas City, KS-MO
0.9641Johnson, KSLeavenworth, KSMiami, KSWyandotte, KSCass, MOClay, MOClinton, MOJackson, MOLafayette, MOPlatte, MORay, MO3800
Kenosha, WI
0.9772Kenosha, WI3810
Killeen-Temple, TX
0.9242Bell, TXCoryell, TX3840
Knoxville, TN
0.8508( print page 78454)Anderson, TNBlount, TNKnox, TNLoudon, TNSevier, TNUnion, TN3850
Kokomo, IN
0.8986Howard, INTipton, IN3870
La Crosse, WI-MN
0.9289Houston, MNLa Crosse, WI3880
Lafayette, LA
0.8105Acadia, LALafayette, LASt. Landry, LASt. Martin, LA3920
Lafayette, IN
0.9067Clinton, INTippecanoe, IN3960
Lake Charles, LA
0.7959 (0.7972**)Calcasieu, LA3980
Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
0.8930Polk, FL4000
Lancaster, PA
0.9883Lancaster, PA4040
Lansing-East Lansing, MI
0.9658Clinton, MIEaton, MIIngham, MI4080
Laredo, TX
0.8747Webb, TX4100
Las Cruces, NM
0.8784Dona Ana, NM4120
Las Vegas, NV-AZ
1.1121Mohave, AZClark, NVNye, NV4150
Lawrence, KS
0.8644Douglas, KS4200
Lawton, OK
0.8212Comanche, OK4243
Lewiston-Auburn, ME
0.9562Androscoggin, ME4280
Lexington, KY
0.8053 (0.9219**)Bourbon, KYClark, KYFayette, KYJessamine, KYMadison, KYScott, KYWoodford, KY4320
Lima, OH
0.9258Allen, OHAuglaize, OH4360
Lincoln, NE
1.0208Lancaster, NE4400
Little Rock-North Little, AR
0.8826Faulkner, ARLonoke, ARPulaski, ARSaline, AR4420
Longview-Marshall, TX
0.8739Gregg, TXHarrison, TXUpshur, TX4480
Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA
1.1732Los Angeles, CA4520
Louisville, KY-IN
0.9162Clark, INFloyd, INHarrison, IN( print page 78455)Scott, INBullitt, KYJefferson, KYOldham, KY4600
Lubbock, TX
0.8777Lubbock, TX4640
Lynchburg, VA
0.9017Amherst, VABedford City, VABedford, VACampbell, VALynchburg City, VA4680
Macon, GA
0.9596Bibb, GAHouston, GAJones, GAPeach, GATwiggs, GA4720
Madison, WI
1.0395Dane, WI4800
Mansfield, OH
0.9105Crawford, OHRichland, OH4840
Mayaguez, PR
0.4769Anasco, PRCabo Rojo, PRHormigueros, PRMayaguez, PRSabana Grande, PRSan German, PR4880
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX
0.8602Hidalgo, TX4890
Medford-Ashland, OR
1.0534Jackson, OR4900
Melbourne-Titusville-Palm Bay, FL
0.9633Brevard, FL4920
Memphis, TN-AR-MS
0.9234Crittenden, ARDe Soto, MSFayette, TNShelby, TNTipton, TN4940
Merced, CA
1.0575Merced, CA5000
Miami, FL
1.0025 (0.9870**)Dade, FL5015
Middlesex-Somerset-Hunterdon, NJ
1.1360Hunterdon, NJMiddlesex, NJSomerset, NJ5080
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
1.0076Milwaukee, WIOzaukee, WIWashington, WIWaukesha, WI5120
Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN-WI
1.1066Anoka, MNCarver, MNChisago, MNDakota, MNHennepin, MNIsanti, MNRamsey, MNScott, MNSherburne, MNWashington, MNWright, MNPierce, WISt. Croix, WI5140
Missoula, MT
0.9618Missoula, MT5160
Mobile, AL
0.7932( print page 78456)Baldwin, ALMobile, AL5170
Modesto, CA
1.1966Stanislaus, CA5190
Monmouth-Ocean, NJ
1.0888Monmouth, NJOcean, NJ5200
Monroe, LA
0.7913Ouachita, LA5240
Montgomery, AL
0.8300Autauga, ALElmore, ALMontgomery, AL5280
Muncie, IN
0.8580Delaware, IN5330
Myrtle Beach, SC
0.9022Horry, SC5345
Naples, FL
1.0558Collier, FL5360
Nashville, TN
1.0108Cheatham, TNDavidson, TNDickson, TNRobertson, TNRutherford, TNSumner, TNWilliamson, TNWilson, TN5380
Nassau-Suffolk, NY
1.2921 (1.2907**)Nassau, NYSuffolk, NY5483
New Haven-Bridgeport-Stamford-Waterbury-Danbury, CT
1.2254Fairfield, CTNew Haven, CT5523
New London-Norwich, CT
1.1596New London, CT5560
New Orleans, LA
0.9103Jefferson, LAOrleans, LAPlaquemines, LASt. Bernard, LASt. Charles, LASt. James, LASt. John The Baptist, LASt. Tammany, LA5600
New York, NY
1.3587 (1.3586**)Bronx, NYKings, NYNew York, NYPutnam, NYQueens, NYRichmond, NYRockland, NYWestchester, NY5640
Newark, NJ
1.1625Essex, NJMorris, NJSussex, NJUnion, NJWarren, NJ5660
Newburgh, NY-PA
1.1170Orange, NYPike, PA5720
Norfolk-Virginia Beach-Newport News, VA-NC
0.8894Currituck, NCChesapeake City, VAGloucester, VAHampton City, VAIsle of Wight, VAJames City, VAMathews, VANewport News City, VA( print page 78457)Norfolk City, VAPoquoson City,VAPortsmouth City, VASuffolk City, VAVirginia Beach City, VAWilliamsburg City, VAYork, VA5775
Oakland, CA
1.5220Alameda, CAContra Costa, CA5790
Ocala, FL
0.9153Marion, FL5800
Odessa-Midland, TX
0.9632Ector, TXMidland, TX5880
Oklahoma City, OK
0.8966Canadian, OKCleveland, OKLogan, OKMcClain, OKOklahoma, OKPottawatomie, OK5910
Olympia, WA
1.1006Thurston, WA5920
Omaha, NE-IA
0.9754Pottawattamie, IACass, NEDouglas, NESarpy, NEWashington, NE5945
Orange County, CA
1.1611Orange, CA5960
Orlando, FL
0.9742Lake, FLOrange, FLOsceola, FLSeminole, FL5990
Owensboro, KY
0.8434Daviess, KY6015
Panama City, FL
0.8124Bay, FL6020
Parkersburg-Marietta, WV-OH
0.8288Washington, OHWood, WV6080
Pensacola, FL
0.8306Escambia, FLSanta Rosa, FL6120
Peoria-Pekin, IL
0.8886Peoria, ILTazewell, ILWoodford, IL6160
Philadelphia, PA-NJ
1.0824Burlington, NJCamden, NJGloucester, NJSalem, NJBucks, PAChester, PADelaware, PAMontgomery, PAPhiladelphia, PA6200
Phoenix-Mesa, AZ
0.9982Maricopa, AZPinal, AZ6240
Pine Bluff, AR
0.8673Jefferson, AR6280
Pittsburgh, PA
0.8756Allegheny, PABeaver, PAButler, PAFayette, PAWashington, PA( print page 78458)Westmoreland, PA6323
Pittsfield, MA
1.0439Berkshire, MA6340
Pocatello, ID
0.9601Bannock, ID6360
Ponce, PR
0.4954Guayanilla, PRJuana Diaz, PRPenuelas, PRPonce, PRVillalba, PRYauco, PR6403
Portland, ME
1.0112Cumberland, MESagadahoc, MEYork, ME6440
Portland-Vancouver, OR-WA
1.1403Clackamas, ORColumbia, ORMultnomah, ORWashington, ORYamhill, ORClark, WA6483
Providence-Warwick-Pawtucket, RI
1.1061Bristol, RIKent, RINewport, RIProvidence, RIWashington, RI6520
Provo-Orem, UT
0.9613Utah, UT6560
Pueblo, CO
0.8752Pueblo, CO6580
Punta Gorda, FL
0.9441Charlotte, FL6600
Racine, WI
0.9045Racine, WI6640
Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
1.0258Chatham, NCDurham, NCFranklin, NCJohnston, NCOrange, NCWake, NC6660
Rapid City, SD
0.8912Pennington, SD6680
Reading, PA
0.9215Berks, PA6690
Redding, CA
1.1835Shasta, CA6720
Reno, NV
1.0456Washoe, NV6740
Richland-Kennewick-Pasco, WA
1.0520Benton, WAFranklin, WA6760
Richmond-Petersburg, VA
0.9397Charles City County, VAChesterfield, VAColonial Heights City, VADinwiddie, VAGoochland, VAHanover, VAHenrico, VAHopewell City, VANew Kent, VAPetersburg City, VAPowhatan, VAPrince George, VARichmond City, VA6780
Riverside-San Bernardino, CA
1.0975 (1.0970**)Riverside, CASan Bernardino, CA( print page 78459)6800
Roanoke, VA
0.8428Botetourt, VARoanoke, VARoanoke City, VASalem City, VA6820
Rochester, MN
1.1504Olmsted, MN6840
Rochester, NY
0.9196Genesee, NYLivingston, NYMonroe, NYOntario, NYOrleans, NYWayne, NY6880
Rockford, IL
0.9626Boone, ILOgle, ILWinnebago, IL6895
Rocky Mount, NC
0.8998Edgecombe, NCNash, NC6920
Sacramento, CA
1.1848El Dorado, CAPlacer, CASacramento, CA6960
Saginaw-Bay City-Midland, MI
0.9696Bay, MIMidland, MISaginaw, MI6980
St. Cloud, MN
1.0215Benton, MNStearns, MN7000
St. Joseph, MO
1.0013Andrews, MOBuchanan, MO7040
St. Louis, MO-IL
0.9081Clinton, ILJersey, ILMadison, ILMonroe, ILSt. Clair, ILFranklin, MOJefferson, MOLincoln, MOSt. Charles, MOSt. Louis, MOSt. Louis City, MOWarren, MOSullivan City, MO7080
Salem, OR
1.0556Marion, ORPolk, OR7120
Salinas, CA
1.3823Monterey, CA7160
Salt Lake City-Ogden, UT
0.9487Davis, UTSalt Lake, UTWeber, UT7200
San Angelo, TX
0.8167Tom Green, TX7240
San Antonio, TX
0.9023Bexar, TXComal, TXGuadalupe, TXWilson, TX7320
San Diego, CA
1.1267San Diego, CA7360
San Francisco, CA
1.4712Marin, CASan Francisco, CASan Mateo, CA7400
San Jose, CA
1.4744( print page 78460)Santa Clara, CA7440
San Juan-Bayamon, PR
0.4802Aguas Buenas, PRBarceloneta, PRBayamon, PRCanovanas, PRCarolina, PRCatano, PRCeiba, PRComerio, PRCorozal, PRDorado, PRFajardo, PRFlorida, PRGuaynabo, PRHumacao, PRJuncos, PRLos Piedras, PRLoiza, PRLuguillo, PRManati, PRMorovis, PRNaguabo, PRNaranjito, PRRio Grande, PRSan Juan, PRToa Alta, PRToa Baja, PRTrujillo Alto, PRVega Alta, PRVega Baja, PRYabucoa, PR7460
San Luis Obispo-Atascadero-Paso Robles, CA
1.1118San Luis Obispo, CA7480
Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Lompoc, CA
1.0771Santa Barbara, CA7485
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
1.4779Santa Cruz, CA7490
Santa Fe, NM
1.0590Los Alamos, NMSanta Fe, NM7500
Santa Rosa, CA
1.2961Sonoma, CA7510
Sarasota-Bradenton, FL
0.9629Manatee, FLSarasota, FL7520
Savannah, GA
0.9460Bryan, GAChatham, GAEffingham, GA7560
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA
0.8522Columbia, PALackawanna, PALuzerne, PAWyoming, PA7600
Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA
1.1479Island, WAKing, WASnohomish, WA7610
Sharon, PA
0.7881Mercer, PA7620
Sheboygan, WI
0.8948Sheboygan, WI7640
Sherman-Denison, TX
0.9617Grayson, TX7680
Shreveport-Bossier City, LA
0.9111Bossier, LACaddo, LAWebster, LA7720
Sioux City, IA-NE
0.9094Woodbury, IADakota, NE( print page 78461)7760
Sioux Falls, SD
0.9441Lincoln, SDMinnehaha, SD7800
South Bend, IN
0.9447St. Joseph, IN7840
Spokane, WA
1.0660Spokane, WA7880
Springfield, IL
0.8738Menard, ILSangamon, IL7920
Springfield, MO
0.8597Christian, MOGreene, MOWebster, MO8003
Springfield, MA
1.0173Hampden, MAHampshire, MA8050
State College, PA
0.8461Centre, PA8080
Steubenville-Weirton, OH-WV
0.8280Jefferson, OHBrooke, WVHancock, WV8120
Stockton-Lodi, CA
1.0564San Joaquin, CA8140
Sumter, SC
0.8520Sumter, SC8160
Syracuse, NY
0.9394Cayuga, NYMadison, NYOnondaga, NYOswego, NY8200
Tacoma, WA
1.1078Pierce, WA8240
Tallahassee, FL
0.8655Gadsden, FLLeon, FL8280
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL
0.9024Hernando, FLHillsborough, FLPasco, FLPinellas, FL8320
Terre Haute, IN
0.8582Clay, INVermillion, INVigo, IN8360
Texarkana, AR-Texarkana, TX
0.8413Miller, ARBowie, TX8400
Toledo, OH
0.9524Fulton, OHLucas, OHWood, OH8440
Topeka, KS
0.8904Shawnee, KS8480
Trenton, NJ
1.0276Mercer, NJ8520
Tucson, AZ
0.8926Pima, AZ8560
Tulsa, OK
0.8729Creek, OKOsage, OKRogers, OKTulsa, OKWagoner, OK8600
Tuscaloosa, AL
0.8440Tuscaloosa, AL8640
Tyler, TX
0.9502Smith, TX8680
Utica-Rome, NY
0.8295Herkimer, NYOneida, NY( print page 78462)8720
Vallejo-Fairfield-Napa, CA
1.3517Napa, CASolano, CA8735
Ventura, CA
1.1105Ventura, CA8750
Victoria, TX
0.8469Victoria, TX8760
Vineland-Millville-Bridgeton, NJ
1.0573Cumberland, NJ8780
Visalia-Tulare-Porterville, CA
0.9964 (0.9975**)Tulare, CA8800
Waco, TX
0.8146McLennan, TX8840
Washington, DC-MD-VA-WV
1.0971District of Columbia, DCCalvert, MDCharles, MDFrederick, MDMontgomery, MDPrince Georges, MDAlexandria City, VAArlington, VAClarke, VACulpepper, VAFairfax, VAFairfax City, VAFalls Church City, VAFauquier, VAFredericksburg City, VAKing George, VALoudoun, VAManassas City, VAManassas Park City, VAPrince William, VASpotsylvania, VAStafford, VAWarren, VABerkeley, WVJefferson, WV8920
Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
0.8633Black Hawk, IA8940
Wausau, WI
0.9570Marathon, WI8960
West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, FL
1.0059 (1.0362**)Palm Beach, FL9000
Wheeling, OH-WV
0.7449Belmont, OHMarshall, WVOhio, WV9040
Wichita, KS
0.9472 (0.9468**)Butler, KSHarvey, KSSedgwick, KS9080
Wichita Falls, TX
0.8395Archer, TXWichita, TX9140
Williamsport, PA
0.8485Lycoming, PA9160
Wilmington-Newark, DE-MD
1.1121New Castle, DECecil, MD9200
Wilmington, NC
0.9237New Hanover, NCBrunswick, NC9260
Yakima, WA
1.0322Yakima, WA9270
Yolo, CA
0.9378Yolo, CA9280
York, PA
0.9150York, PA9320
Youngstown-Warren, OH
0.9517Columbiana, OH( print page 78463)Mahoning, OHTrumbull, OH9340
Yuba City, CA
1.0363Sutter, CAYuba, CA9360
Yuma, AZ
0.8871Yuma, 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
                             indexAlabama
0.7637Alaska
1.1637Arizona
0.9140Arkansas
0.7703California
1.0297Colorado
0.9368Connecticut
1.1917Delaware
0.9503Florida
0.8721Georgia
0.8247Guam
0.9611Hawaii
1.0522Idaho
0.8826Illinois
0.8340Indiana
0.8736Iowa
0.8550Kansas
0.8087Kentucky
0.7844Louisiana
0.7290Maine
0.9039Maryland
0.9179Massachusetts
1.0216Michigan
0.8740Minnesota
0.9339Mississippi
0.7583Missouri
0.7829Montana
0.8701Nebraska
0.9035Nevada
0.9832New Hampshire
0.9940New Jersey 1New Mexico
0.8529New York
0.8403North Carolina
0.8500North Dakota
0.7743Ohio
0.8759Oklahoma
0.7537Oregon
1.0049Pennsylvania
0.8348Puerto Rico
0.4047Rhode Island 1South Carolina
0.8640South Dakota
0.8393Tennessee
0.7876Texas
0.7910Utah
0.8843Vermont
0.9375Virginia
0.8479Virgin Islands
0.7456Washington
1.0072West Virginia
0.8083Wisconsin
0.9498Wyoming
0.91821
                         All 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
PaymentRVC
$274.56
0.8461
$232.31
$85.65
$317.96
*$339.26
14
$4,750RHA
$212.18
0.8461
$179.53
$66.19
$245.72
*$262.18
16
$4,195CC2
$175.71
0.8461
$148.67
$54.82
$203.49
**$463.96
10
$4,640SSC
$176.74
0.8461
$149.54
$55.13
$204.67
***$245.60
30
$7,368IA2
$119.84
0.8461
$101.40
$37.39
$138.79
$138.79
30
$4,164Total






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 changeTotal
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%( print page 78464)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