Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2011/09/23/2011-24547/medicare-and-medicaid-programs-application-by-community-health-accreditation-program-for-continued
Timestamp: 2018-09-25 05:37:51
Document Index: 8994535

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 489', 'art 488', 'arts 409', 'art 484', 'art 488', '§\u2009488', '§\u2009488', '§\u2009488', '§\u2009488', '§\u2009488']

Federal Register :: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Application by Community Health Accreditation Program for Continued Deeming Authority for Home Health Agencies
Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Application by Community Health Accreditation Program for Continued Deeming Authority for Home Health Agencies
76 FR 59136
CMS-2377-PN
2011-24547
CMS-2011-0148
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2011-24547 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2011-24547
This proposed notice with comment period acknowledges the receipt of a deeming application from the Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP) for continued recognition as a national accrediting organization for home health agencies (HHAs) that wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs. Section 1865(a)(3)(A) of the Social Security Act (the Act) requires that within 60 days of receipt of an organization's complete application, we publish a notice that Start Printed Page 59137identifies the national accrediting body making the request, describes the nature of the request, and provides at least a 30-day public comment period.
To be assured consideration, comments must be received at one of the addresses provided below, no later than 5 p.m. on October 24, 2011.
In commenting, please refer to file code CMS-2377-PN. Because of staff and resource limitations, we cannot accept comments by facsimile (FAX) transmission.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, Attention: CMS-2377-PN, P.O. Box 8016, Baltimore, MD 21244-8010.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, Attention: CMS-2377-PN, Mail Stop C4-26-05, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.
Under the Medicare program, eligible beneficiaries may receive covered services from a home health agency (HHA) provided certain requirements are met. Sections 1861(m) and (o), 1891 and 1895 of the Social Security Act (the Act) establish distinct criteria for facilities seeking designation as an HHA. Regulations concerning provider agreements are at 42 CFR part 489 and those pertaining to activities relating to the survey and certification of facilities are at 42 CFR part 488. The regulations at 42 CFR parts 409 and 484 specify the conditions that an HHA must meet to participate in the Medicare program, the scope of covered services and the conditions for Medicare payment for home health care.
Generally, to enter into a provider agreement with the Medicare program, an HHA must first be certified by a State survey agency as complying with the conditions or requirements set forth in 42 CFR part 484 of our regulations. Thereafter, the HHA is subject to regular surveys by a State survey agency to determine whether it continues to meet these requirements.
If an accrediting organization is recognized by the Secretary as having standards for accreditation that meet or exceed Medicare requirements, any provider entity accredited by the national accrediting body's approved program would be deemed to meet the Medicare conditions. A national accrediting organization applying for deeming authority under 42 CFR part 488, subpart A must provide CMS with reasonable assurance that the accrediting organization requires the accredited provider entities to meet requirements that are at least as stringent as the Medicare conditions. Our regulations concerning the reapproval of accrediting organizations are set forth at § 488.4 and § 488.8(d)(3). The regulations at § 488.8(d)(3) require accrediting organizations to reapply for continued deeming authority every 6 years or sooner as determined by CMS.
The CHAP'S term of approval as a recognized accreditation program for HHA's expires March 31, 2012.
Section 1865(a)(3)(A) of the Act further requires that we publish, within 60 days of receipt of an organization's complete application, a notice Start Printed Page 59138identifying the national accrediting body making the request, describing the nature of the request, and providing at least a 30-day public comment period. We have 210 days from the receipt of a complete application to publish notice of approval or denial of the application.
CHAP submitted all the necessary materials to enable us to make a determination concerning its request for reapproval as a deeming organization for HHAs. This application was determined to be complete on August 26, 2011. Under section 1865(a)(2) of the Act and our regulations at § 488.8 (Federal review of accrediting organizations), our review and evaluation of CHAP will be conducted in accordance with, but not necessarily limited to, the following factors:
The equivalency of CHAP'S standards for HHA's as compared with CMS' HHA conditions of participation.
++ The comparability of CHAP's processes to those of State agencies, including survey frequency, and the ability to investigate and respond appropriately to complaints against accredited facilities.
++ CHAP's processes and procedures for monitoring HHAs found out of compliance with CHAP's program requirements. These monitoring procedures are used only when CHAP identifies noncompliance. If noncompliance is identified through validation reviews, the State survey agency monitors corrections as specified at § 488.7(d).
++ CHAP's capacity to provide us with electronic data, and reports necessary for effective validation and assessment of the organization's survey process.
++ The adequacy of CHAP's staff and other resources, and its financial viability.
++ CHAP's agreement to provide us with a copy of the most current accreditation survey together with any other information related to the survey as we may require (including corrective action plans).
Because of the large number of public comments we normally receive on Federal Register documents, we are not able to acknowledge or respond to them individually. We will consider all comments we receive by the date and time specified in the DATES section of this notice, and, we will respond to the comments in a subsequent document.
[FR Doc. 2011-24547 Filed 9-22-11; 8:45 am]