[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 202 (Friday, October 20, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48816-48817]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-22811]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services


Analyses, Research and Studies To Address the Impact of CMS 
Programs on American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) Beneficiaries and the 
Health Care System Serving These Beneficiaries

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.

ACTION: Notice of single source award.

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SUMMARY: This notice supports expansion of research on the impact of 
CMS programs on the Indian health care system through a single source 
award. The Indian Health Service (IHS), Tribes and Tribal Organizations 
and Urban programs, deliver health care services to American Indian/
Alaska Native (AI/AN) people through a network of hospitals, clinics 
and other providers. This award expands research on the impact of CMS 
programs and the delivery of health care to AI/AN beneficiaries.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Georgeline Sparks, Centers for 
Medicare & Medicaid Services, Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services/
IEAG/Division of Tribal Affairs, 7500 Security Boulevard, M/S S1-05-06, 
Baltimore, MD 21244-1850, (410) 786-4608.
    Intended Recipient: National Indian Health Board (NIHB).
    Purpose of Award: The IHS and Tribal health programs have had long 
standing authority to bill Medicare and Medicaid for services provided 
at their facilities. These participating and billing authorities were 
expanded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), 
the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 
(CHIPRA), and the Affordable Care Act in 2010 (ACA). AI/AN people have 
traditionally been medically underserved and have health disparities 
significantly above those of the population as a whole. In order to 
ensure that AI/AN people have full knowledge of these new changes and 
the fullest access to CMS programs, this award will study the adoption 
and impact of these new authorities on the Indian health care system.
    Amount of the Award: The total amount of funding available over a 
five year period is $4,000,000. The initial award will be awarded at 
$800,000. The subsequent years will be awarded on a non-competing 
continuation basis at approximately $800,000 per year for a total of 5 
years, and will be subject to the availability of funds and 
satisfactory performance by the recipient.
    Justification for Single Source Award: For the past five years 
through a Cooperative Agreement with CMS, NIHB has provided analysis 
and research of the potential and actual impact of CMS programs on AI/
AN beneficiaries and the health care system serving these 
beneficiaries. This work has included analysis and research on Medicare 
and Medicaid data enrollment of AI/AN beneficiaries to understand 
utilization of the AI/AN population in the context of CMS programs. In 
addition, NIHB has been instrumental in tracking CMS regulations and 
providing analysis and research to better understand the implications 
of CMS regulatory guidance on the Indian health programs. Based on this 
experience, NIHB is the only entity capable of carrying out the scope 
of activities because the scope of work builds on past experience and 
knowledge. Any other source would not have all of the knowledge and 
experience gained in the last five years. The NIHB provides research on 
health program issues impacting AI/ANs to over 567 Federally-recognized 
Tribes and has historically provided these services for several decades 
in conjunction with the IHS. The NIHB program has a national focus 
relevant to its AI/AN constituency who need to know through substantive 
research about the changes and updates in the latest health care 
services and access through CMS programs.
    Project Period: The anticipated period of performance for this 
cooperative agreement is September 29, 2017 through September 28, 2022 
with funding awarded in 12-month budget increments subject to the 
availability of funds and satisfactory performance.
    Provisions of the Notice: CMS has solicited a proposal from the 
NIHB to undertake analysis, research and studies to address the impact 
of CMS programs and AI/AN beneficiaries and the health care system 
serving those beneficiaries. The project consists of five principal 
research objectives:
    <bullet> Study the ongoing impact of CMS programs on the Indian 
health system through analysis of, response to, and implementation of 
CMS regulations by Indian health providers.
    <bullet> Study AI/AN demographic, enrollment, and utilization data 
and propose strategies to increase CMS data system capabilities to 
create more Indian specific reporting capacity.
    <bullet> Provide ongoing study of CMS efforts to increase AI/AN 
knowledge of CMS programs and CMS responsiveness to Indian health 
system.
    <bullet> Provide research support on the use and effectiveness of 
the CMS Tribal Consultation Policy.
    <bullet> Evaluate the effectiveness of outreach and enrollment 
efforts to AI/AN beneficiaries in CMS programs.
    CMS requested that NIHB submit an application which includes:
    1. Cover Letter.
    2. SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance.
    3. SF-424A Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs.
    4. SF-424B Assurances.
    5. A budget narrative.
    6. Abstract of Project.
    7. A research project narrative that describes each of the five 
separate objectives.
    8. 501(c)(3) Non-Profit certification.
    9. Resumes of all key personnel.
    10. Position descriptions.
    11. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, if applicable.
    12. Copy of approved indirect cost rate agreement, if applicable.
    13. Documentation of current OMB A-133 required financial audit, if 
applicable.

[[Page 48817]]

    Evaluation criteria for review of the application will be comprised 
of three principal areas:
    a. Program information which includes current organizational 
capabilities and operations.
    b. Program planning and evaluation which includes identification of 
measurable goals, products, personnel and workplanning.
    c. Program reporting which includes organizational capabilities and 
qualifications and categorical budget and justification.

    Authority:  Section 1110 of the Social Security Act, codified at 
42 U.S.C. Sec. 1310

    Dated: September 15, 2017.
Derrick Heard,
Chief Grants Management Officer, Office of Acquisition and Grants 
Management, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 2017-22811 Filed 10-19-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4120-01-P