[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 133 (Monday, July 13, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37498-37499]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-18746]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration

42 CFR Parts 409, 410, 411, 413, 424, 483, and 489

[HCFA-1913-N]
RIN 0938-AI47


Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System and Consolidated 
Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities; Extension of Comment Period

AGENCY: Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), HHS.

ACTION: Notice of extension of comment period for interim final rule.

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SUMMARY: This document extends the comment period for an interim final 
rule with comment period that was published in the Federal Register on 
May 12, 1998 (63 FR 26252). That interim final rule implements 
provisions in section 4432 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 related 
to Medicare payment for skilled nursing facility services. Those 
include the implementation of a Medicare prospective payment system for 
skilled nursing facilities, consolidated billing, and a number of 
related changes. The comment period is extended for 60 days.

DATES: The comment period is extended to 5 p.m. on September 11, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Mail written comments (one original and three copies) to the 
following address: Health Care Financing Administration, Department of 
Health and Human Services, Attention: HCFA-1913-IFC, P.O. Box 26688, 
Baltimore, MD 21207-0488.
    If you prefer, you may deliver your written comments (one original 
and three copies) to one of the following addresses: Room 309-G, Hubert 
H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, SW, ashington, DC 20201, 
or Room C5-09-26, Central Building, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, 
MD 21244-1850.
    Because of staffing and resource limitations, we cannot accept 
comments by facsimile (FAX) transmission. In commenting, please refer 
to file code HCFA-1913-IFC. Comments received timely will be available 
for public inspection as they are received, generally beginning 
approximately 3 weeks after publication of a document, in Room 309-G of 
the Department's offices at 200 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, 
DC, on Monday through Friday of each week from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
(phone: (202) 690-7890).
    For comments that relate to information collection requirements, 
mail a copy of comments to: Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, New Executive 
Office Building, Washington, DC 20503, Attn: Allison Herron Eydt, HCFA 
Desk Officer.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laurence Wilson, (410) 786-4603 (for 
general information). John Davis, (410) 786-0008 (for information 
related to the Federal rates). Dana Burley, (410) 786-4547 (for 
information related to the case-mix classification methodology). Steve 
Raitzyk, (410) 786-4599 (for information related to the facility-
specific transition payment rates). Bill Ullman, (410) 786-5667 (for 
information related to consolidated billing and related provisions).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 12, 1998, we issued an interim final 
rule with comment period in the Federal Register (63 FR 26252) that 
implements provisions in section 4432 of the Balanced Budget Act of 
1997 related to Medicare payment for skilled nursing facility services. 
Those include the implementation of a Medicare prospective payment 
system for skilled nursing facilities, consolidated billing, and a 
number of related changes. We indicated that comments would be 
considered if we received them by July 13, 1998.
    Because of the complexity and scope of the interim final rule and 
because numerous members of the industry and professional associations 
have requested more time to analyze the potential consequences of the 
rule, we have decided to extend the comment period for an additional 60 
days. This document announces the extension of the public comment 
period to September 11, 1998.

    Authority: Secs. 1102 and 1871 of the Social Security Act.

(42 U.S.C. 1302 and 1395hh).

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.773, 
Medicare--Hospital Insurance; Program No. 93.774, Medicare-- 
Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)


[[Page 37499]]


    Dated: June 30, 1998.
Nancy-Ann Min DeParle,
Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.

    Dated: July 9, 1998.
Donna E. Shalala,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-18746 Filed 7-10-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P