Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2014/11/21/2014-27649/medicare-and-medicaid-programs-application-from-the-american-association-for-accreditation-of
Timestamp: 2017-08-17 06:18:12
Document Index: 751693542

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 489', 'art 488', 'art 485', 'art 485', 'art 488', '§\u2009488', '§\u2009488', '§\u2009488', '§\u2009488', '§\u2009488']

Federal Register :: Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Application From the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities for Continued Approval of Its Accreditation Program for Organizations That Provide Outpatient Physical Therapy and Speech Language Pathology Services
Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Application From the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities for Continued Approval of Its Accreditation Program for Organizations That Provide Outpatient Physical Therapy and Speech Language Pathology Services
A Notice by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on 11/21/2014
79 FR 69481
69481-69482 (2 pages)
CMS-3305-PN
2014-27649
CMS-2014-0156
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2014-27649 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2014-27649
This proposed notice acknowledges the receipt of an application from the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities for continued recognition as a national accrediting organization for organizations that provide outpatient physical therapy and speech language pathology services that wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs. The statute requires that within 60 days of receipt of an organization's complete application, we publish a notice that identifies the national accrediting body making the request, describes the nature of the request, and provides at least a 30-day public comment period.
In commenting, refer to file code CMS-3305-PN. Because of staff and resource limitations, we cannot accept comments by facsimile (FAX) transmission.
2. By regular mail. You may mail written comments to the following address only: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, Attention: CMS-3305-PN, P.O. Box 8016, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.
3. By express or overnight mail. You may send written comments to the following address only: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, Attention: CMS-3305-PN, Mail Stop C4-26-05, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.
Under the Medicare program, eligible beneficiaries may receive covered services from an outpatient physical therapy and speech language pathology service (OPT) provided certain requirements are met. Section 1861(p) of the Social Security Act (the Act) establishes distinct criteria for facilities seeking designation as an OPT. 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 Start Printed Page 69482at 42 CFR part 485, subpart H specify the minimum conditions that an OPT must meet to participate in the Medicare program.
Generally, to enter into an agreement, an OPT must first be certified by a state survey agency as complying with the conditions or requirements set forth in part 485, subpart H of our Medicare regulations. Thereafter, the OPT is subject to regular surveys by a state survey agency to determine whether it continues to meet these requirements. There is an alternative, however, to surveys by state agencies.
Section 1865(a)(1) of the Act provides that, if a provider entity demonstrates through accreditation by a CMS-approved national accrediting organization that all applicable Medicare conditions are met or exceeded, we may deem those provider entities as having met the requirements. Accreditation by an accrediting organization is voluntary and is not required for Medicare participation.
If an accrediting organization is recognized by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (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 may be deemed to meet the Medicare conditions. A national accrediting organization applying for approval of its accreditation program under 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 approval 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 approval of its accreditation program every 6 years or sooner as determined by CMS.
The American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF's) current term of approval for their OPT accreditation program expires April 22, 2015.
The purpose of this proposed notice is to inform the public of AAAASF's request for continued approval of its OPT accreditation program. This notice also solicits public comment on whether AAAASF's requirements meet or exceed the Medicare conditions of participation (CoPs) for OPTs.
AAAASF submitted all the necessary materials to enable us to make a determination concerning its request for continued approval of its OPT accreditation program. This application was determined to be complete on September 29, 2014. Under Section 1865(a)(2) of the Act and our regulations at § 488.8 (Federal review of accrediting organizations), our review and evaluation of AAAASF will be conducted in accordance with, but not necessarily limited to, the following factors:
The equivalency of AAAASF's standards for OPTs as compared with Medicare's OPT CoPs.
—AAAASF's processes and procedures for monitoring a OPT found out of compliance with AAAASF's program requirements. These monitoring procedures are used only when AAAASF identifies noncompliance. If noncompliance is identified through validation reviews or complaint surveys, the state survey agency monitors corrections as specified at § 488.7(d).
—AAAASF's capacity to provide CMS with electronic data and reports necessary for effective validation and assessment of the organization's survey process.
—AAAASF's policies to assure that surveys are unannounced.
—AAAASF's agreement to provide CMS with a copy of the most current accreditation survey together with any other information related to the survey that CMS may request (including corrective action plans).
[FR Doc. 2014-27649 Filed 11-20-14; 8:45 am]