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National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program: Calculation of Average Cost of a Health Insurance Policy, 36610-36612 [E7-13039] :: Health Resources And Services Administration :: Department Of Health And Human Services :: Regulation Tracker :: Justia
Justia Regulation Tracker Department Of Health And Human Services Health Resources And Services Administration National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program: Calculation of Average Cost of a Health Insurance Policy, 36610-36612 [E7-13039]
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program: Calculation of Average Cost of a Health Insurance Policy, 36610-36612 [E7-13039]
Download as PDF 36610 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 128 / Thursday, July 5, 2007 / Rules and Regulations Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1321(c)(2); 42 U.S.C. 9601–9657; E.O. 12777, 56 FR 54757, 3 CFR, 1991 Comp., p. 351; E.O. 12580, 52 FR 2923, 3 CFR, 1987 Comp., p. 193. not take effect and, EPA will prepare a response to comments and continue with the deletion process on the basis of the notice of intent to delete and the comments already received. There will be no additional opportunity to comment. requirements, Superfund, Water pollution control, Water supply. Dated: June 26, 2007. Robert E. Roberts, Regional Administrator, Region 8. I List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 300 Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Chemicals, Hazardous waste, Hazardous substances, Intergovernmental relations, Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping For the reasons set out in this document, 40 CFR part 300 is amended as follows: 2. Table 1 of Appendix B to Part 300 is amended by revising the entry under Colorado for ‘‘Uravan Uranium Project (Union Carbide)’’ to read as follows: PART 300—[AMENDED] Appendix B to Part 300—National Priorities List I 1. The authority citation for part 300 continues to read as follows: I TABLE 1.—GENERAL SUPERFUND SECTION Notes (a) State Site name City/county * CO ................ * * * Uravan Uranium Project (Union Carbide) .......................... * * * (former town of) Uravan ..................................................... * * * * * * P* * (a) * * * *P = sites with partial deletion(s). [FR Doc. E7–13056 Filed 7–3–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Health Resources and Services Administration 42 CFR Part 100 RIN 0905–AA68 National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program: Calculation of Average Cost of a Health Insurance Policy Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), HHS. ACTION: Final rule. jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES AGENCY: SUMMARY: Subtitle 2 of Title XXI of the Public Health Service Act, as enacted by the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended (the Act), governs the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). The VICP, administered by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary), provides that a proceeding for compensation for a vaccine-related injury or death shall be initiated by service upon the Secretary, and the filing of a petition with the United States Court of Federal Claims (the Court). In some cases, the injured individual may receive compensation for future lost earnings, less appropriate taxes and the ‘‘average cost of a health insurance policy, as determined by the Secretary.’’ The final rule establishes the VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:34 Jul 03, 2007 Jkt 211001 new method of calculating the average cost of a health insurance policy and determines the amount of the average cost of a health insurance policy to be deducted from the compensation award. DATES: This regulation is effective August 6, 2007. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tamara Overby, Chief, Policy Analysis Branch, Division of Vaccine Injury Compensation, Healthcare Systems Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Room 11C–26, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20857; e-mail: toverby@hrsa.gov; telephone number: (301) 443–6593. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 9, 2006, the Secretary published in the Federal Register (71 FR 33420), a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to revise regulations for the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) to establish a new method of calculating the average cost of a health insurance policy. The public comment period on the NPRM closed on August 8, 2006. The Secretary received one written comment. The one commenter stated that the proposed rule raises both Federalism and Constitutional issues. The Secretary has considered this comment and notes that section 2115(a)(3)(B) of the Public Health Service Act gives explicit authority to the Secretary to determine the average cost of a health insurance policy. Based on the new methodology, the amount of a health insurance policy to PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 be deducted from a compensation award for the 12-month period, October 1, 2006—September 30, 2007 is $363.12 per month. In August 2006, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey-Insurance Component (MEPS–IC), available at http://www.meps.ahrq.gov, published the annual 2004 average total single premium per enrolled employee at private-sector establishments that provide health insurance. The figure published was $3,705. This figure is divided by 12 months to determine the cost per month of $308.75 which is the proposed new baseline figure for 2004. The baseline of $308.75 shall be increased or decreased by the percentage change reported by the most recent ‘‘Employer Health Benefits’’ Annual Survey, Kaiser Family Foundation and Health Research and Educational Trust (KFF/HRET) survey at http://www.kff.org. The percentage increase from 2004–2005 was 9.2 percent. By adding this percentage increase, the calculated average monthly cost of a health insurance policy in 2005 is $337.16. The KFF/HRET reported increase from 2005–2006 was 7.7 percent. By adding this percentage increase to the calculated $337.16 for 2005, the calculated average cost of a health insurance policy in 2006 is $363.12 per month. Because the KFF/HRET survey is published annually, the Department will periodically (generally on an annual basis) recalculate the average cost of a health insurance policy by obtaining a new baseline from the latest MEPS–IC data and updating this E:\FR\FM\05JYR1.SGM 05JYR1 36611 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 128 / Thursday, July 5, 2007 / Rules and Regulations baseline using the percentage change(s) reported by the most recent data from KFF/HRET or other authoritative source that may be more accurate or appropriate in the future. The updated calculation will be published as a notice in the Federal Register and filed with the Court. Economic and Regulatory Impact Regulatory Flexibility Act and Executive Order 12866 Executive Order 12866 directs agencies to assess all costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, when rulemaking is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that provide the greatest net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public health, safety distributive and equity effects). In addition, under the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA), if a rule has a significant economic effect on a substantial number of small entities, the Secretary must specifically consider the economic effect of a rule on small entities and analyze regulatory options that could lessen the impact of the rule. In accordance with the provisions of Executive Order 12866, this regulation was reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget. Executive Order 12866 requires that all regulations reflect consideration of alternatives, of costs, of benefits, of incentives, of equity, and of available information. Regulations must meet certain standards, such as avoiding an unnecessary burden. Regulations that are ‘‘significant’’ because of cost, adverse effects on the economy, inconsistency with other agency actions, effects on the budget, or novel legal or policy issues, require special analysis. The Secretary has determined that minimal resources, if any, are required to implement the provisions included in this regulation. Therefore, in accordance with the RFA, and the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, which amended the RFA, the Secretary certifies that this Final Rule will not affect any entities defined as small under this Act and will not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities. Year 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 This Final Rule does not meet the criteria for a major rule as defined by Executive Order 12866. The Secretary has determined that this Final Rule is not a ‘‘major rule’’ within the meaning of the statute providing for Congressional Review of Agency Rulemaking, 5 U.S.C. 801. The Secretary conducted a cost analysis comparing the two methodologies using a single claim. This difference was multiplied by the annual average percent of claims compensated that include this calculation (20 percent) in which the award for lost wages is reduced by this more accurate amount, resulting in a slightly larger award. The new methodology is estimated to increase the annual total amount of awards by $50,000. Therefore, the additional cost to the Federal Government will be about $50,000 per year. The table below compares the average cost of a health insurance policy using MEPS–IC only, KFF/HRET only and the new methodology. KFF/HRET only ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... MEPS–IC only $202 221 255 282 308 335 354 New methodology 1 $206.44 $221.22 240.77 265.75 290.08 308.75 NA NA 2 232.46 3 276.98 4 309.61 5 336.59 6 352.25 7 363.12 1 1998 MEPS–IC increased by 1999 and 2000 percent changes from KFF/HRET. MEPS–IC increased by 2000 and 2001 percent changes from KFF/HRET. 3 2000 MEPS–IC increased by 2001 and 2002 percent changes from KFF/HRET. 4 2001 MEPS–IC increased by 2002 and 2003 percent changes from KFF/HRET. 5 2002 MEPS–IC increased by 2003 and 2004 percent changes from KFF/HRET. 6 2003 MEPS–IC increased by the 2004 and 2005 percent changes from KFF/HRET. 7 2004 MEPS–IC increased by the 2005 and 2006 percent changes from KFF/HRET. N/A—Not available due to 2-year lag in reporting data. 2 1999 The table below shows a comparison of the average cost of a health insurance policy using both methodologies, and the percent change between these methodologies. Year 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... a Revise jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES Old methodology New methodology $276.28 294.24 313.78 332.60 353.81 374.82 a 397.45 Percent change (old vs. new) $206.44 232.46 276.98 309.61 336.59 352.25 363.12 ¥25 ¥21 ¥12 ¥7 ¥5 ¥6 ¥9 this number when September 2006 CPI is published on October 31, 2006. In accordance with the provisions of Executive Order 12866, this regulation was reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget. VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:50 Jul 03, 2007 Jkt 211001 Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 The Secretary has determined that this Final Rule will not have effects on State, local, and tribal governments and on the private sector such as to require PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 consultation under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995. Federalism Impact Statement The Secretary has also reviewed this Final Rule in accordance with Executive E:\FR\FM\05JYR1.SGM 05JYR1 36612 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 128 / Thursday, July 5, 2007 / Rules and Regulations Order 13132 regarding federalism, and has determined that it does not have ‘‘federalism implications.’’ The Final Rule would not ‘‘have substantial direct effects on the States, or on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.’’ Impact on Family Well-Being This Final Rule will not adversely affect the following elements of family well-being: family safety, family stability, marital commitment; parental rights in the education, nurture and supervision of their children; family functioning, disposable income or poverty; or the behavior and personal responsibility of youth, as determined under section 654(c) of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act of 1999. Impact of the New Rule This Final Rule revises § 100.2 to incorporate a new methodology for calculating the average cost of a health insurance policy. This new methodology will result in a more accurate reflection of the actual average cost of a health insurance policy as compared to the old methodology which resulted in a number that was too high. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 This Final Rule has no information collection requirements. 2. Section 100.2 is revised to read as follows: I § 100.2 policy. Average cost of a health insurance For purposes of determining the amount of compensation under the VICP, section 2115(a)(3)(B) of the PHS Act, 42 U.S.C. 300aa–15(a)(3)(B), provides that certain individuals are entitled to receive an amount reflecting lost earnings, less certain deductions. One of the deductions is the average cost of a health insurance policy, as determined by the Secretary. The Secretary has determined that the average cost of a health insurance policy is $363.12 for 2006. This figure is calculated periodically (generally on an annual basis) using the most recent Medical Expenditure Panel SurveyInsurance Component (MEPS–IC) data available as the baseline for the average monthly cost of a health insurance policy. This baseline is adjusted by the annual percentage increase/decrease obtained from the most recent annual Kaiser Family Foundation and Health Research and Educational Trust (KFF/ HRET) Employer Health Benefits survey or other authoritative source that may be more accurate or appropriate in the future. The revised amount will be effective upon its delivery by the Secretary to the United States Court of Federal Claims, and the amount will be published as a notice in the Federal Register periodically (generally on an annual basis). List of Subjects in 42 CFR Part 100 Biologics, Compensation, Health insurance, Immunizations. [FR Doc. E7–13039 Filed 7–3–07; 8:45 am] Dated: January 28, 2007. Elizabeth M. Duke, Administrator, HRSA. Approved: March 29, 2007. Michael O. Leavitt, Secretary. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES BILLING CODE 4165–15–P Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Editorial Note: This document was received at the Office of the Federal Register on June 29, 2007. For the reasons stated above, HHS amends part 100 of 42 CFR as follows: I PART 100—VACCINE INJURY COMPENSATION jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES Authority: Secs. 312 and 313 of Pub. L. 99– 660, 100 Stat. 3779–3782 (42 U.S.C. 300aa– 1 note); sec. 2114(c) and (e) of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 300aa–14(c) and (e)); sec. 2115(a)(3)(B) of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 300aa–15(a)(3)(B)); sec. 904(b) of Pub. L. 105– 34, 111 Stat. 873; sec. 1503 of Pub. L. 105– 277, 112 Stat. 2681–741; and sec. 523(a) of Pub. L. 106–170, 113 Stat. 1927–1928. 15:50 Jul 03, 2007 Jkt 211001 [CMS–1529–N] RIN 0938–AO30 Medicare Program; Hospital Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Policy Changes; Notice Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS. ACTION: Final rule; clarification. AGENCY: 1. The authority section for 42 CFR part 100 is revised to read as follows: I VerDate Aug<31>2005 42 CFR Parts 412 and 413 SUMMARY: This notice clarifies the availability of certain physician salary proxy data for purposes of the hospital direct and indirect graduate medical education policy adopted in the ‘‘Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System for Long-Term Care PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Hospitals RY 2008: Annual Payment Rate Updates, and Policy Changes; and Hospital Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Policy Changes’’ final rule that appeared in the May 11, 2007 Federal Register. EFFECTIVE DATE: This notice is effective on July 1, 2007. Tzvi Hefter, (410) 786–4487 (General information). Miechal Lefkowitz, (410) 786–5316 (Graduate Medical Education payments). Renate Rockwell, (410) 786– 4645 (Graduate Medical Education payments). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background In FR Doc. 07–2206 (72 FR 26870), there was an erroneous statement of fact relating to the GME policy adopted in the final rule. In light of the error, this notice serves to clarify the availability of certain salary proxy data that can be used for purposes of the hospital direct and indirect graduate medical education policy adopted in the final rule. II. Provisions of the Notice In the final rule that appeared in the May 11, 2007 Federal Register (72 FR 26958), we responded erroneously to the following comment, ‘‘One commenter stated that CMS should use average compensation figures for dental faculty based on specialty and regional variation. The commenter stated that the commenter would be happy to work with CMS to develop compensation figures for dental programs.’’ We responded, ‘‘The AMGA [American Medical Group Association] data does not apply to dental faculty, at this point we are unaware of a comparable data source for dental faculty salaries. We will work with the commenter to determine whether we can develop proxy salary amounts for supervisory dentists.’’ After the final rule was issued, we were made aware that the AMGA data, in fact, do apply to dentists and podiatrists. Because AMGA data are available for the dental and podiatry specialties, the AMGA 2006 Medical Group Compensation and Financial Survey data can be used as the salary proxy for both dentistry and podiatry in accordance with the policies adopted in the final rule. We will also correct our posting of 2006 AMGA salary data at the following Web site address to include the median salary data for both dentistry and podiatry: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ AcuteInpatientPPS/Downloads/ Specialty_Table_050107.pdf. E:\FR\FM\05JYR1.SGM 05JYR1
[Pages 36610-36612]
[FR Doc No: E7-13039]
policy, as determined by the Secretary.'' The final rule establishes
the new method of calculating the average cost of a health insurance
policy and determines the amount of the average cost of a health
insurance policy to be deducted from the compensation award.
DATES: This regulation is effective August 6, 2007.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tamara Overby, Chief, Policy Analysis
Branch, Division of Vaccine Injury Compensation, Healthcare Systems
Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Room 11C-
26, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20857; e-
mail: toverby@hrsa.gov; telephone number: (301) 443-6593.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 9, 2006, the Secretary published in
the Federal Register (71 FR 33420), a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
(NPRM) to revise regulations for the National Vaccine Injury
Compensation Program (VICP) to establish a new method of calculating
the average cost of a health insurance policy. The public comment
period on the NPRM closed on August 8, 2006.
The Secretary received one written comment. The one commenter
stated that the proposed rule raises both Federalism and Constitutional
issues. The Secretary has considered this comment and notes that
section 2115(a)(3)(B) of the Public Health Service Act gives explicit
authority to the Secretary to determine the average cost of a health
Based on the new methodology, the amount of a health insurance
policy to be deducted from a compensation award for the 12-month
period, October 1, 2006--September 30, 2007 is $363.12 per month. In
August 2006, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey-Insurance Component
(MEPS-IC), available at http://www.meps.ahrq.gov, published the annual
2004 average total single premium per enrolled employee at private-
sector establishments that provide health insurance. The figure
published was $3,705. This figure is divided by 12 months to determine
the cost per month of $308.75 which is the proposed new baseline figure
for 2004. The baseline of $308.75 shall be increased or decreased by
the percentage change reported by the most recent ``Employer Health
Benefits'' Annual Survey, Kaiser Family Foundation and Health Research
and Educational Trust (KFF/HRET) survey at http://www.kff.org. The
percentage increase from 2004-2005 was 9.2 percent. By adding this
insurance policy in 2005 is $337.16. The KFF/HRET reported increase
from 2005-2006 was 7.7 percent. By adding this percentage increase to
the calculated $337.16 for 2005, the calculated average cost of a
health insurance policy in 2006 is $363.12 per month.
Because the KFF/HRET survey is published annually, the Department
from the latest MEPS-IC data and updating this
[[Page 36611]]
baseline using the percentage change(s) reported by the most recent
data from KFF/HRET or other authoritative source that may be more
accurate or appropriate in the future. The updated calculation will be
published as a notice in the Federal Register and filed with the Court.
The Secretary has determined that minimal resources, if any, are
required to implement the provisions included in this regulation.
Therefore, in accordance with the RFA, and the Small Business
Secretary certifies that this Final Rule will not affect any entities
defined as small under this Act and will not have a significant impact
This Final Rule does not meet the criteria for a major rule as
defined by Executive Order 12866. The Secretary has determined that
this Final Rule is not a ``major rule'' within the meaning of the
statute providing for Congressional Review of Agency Rulemaking, 5
U.S.C. 801. The Secretary conducted a cost analysis comparing the two
methodologies using a single claim. This difference was multiplied by
the annual average percent of claims compensated that include this
calculation (20 percent) in which the award for lost wages is reduced
by this more accurate amount, resulting in a slightly larger award. The
new methodology is estimated to increase the annual total amount of
awards by $50,000. Therefore, the additional cost to the Federal
Government will be about $50,000 per year.
policy using MEPS-IC only, KFF/HRET only and the new methodology.
Year                             KFF/HRET only       MEPS-IC only     New methodology
2000...................................................               $202            $221.22        \1\ $206.44
2001...................................................                221             240.77         \2\ 232.46
2002...................................................                255             265.75         \3\ 276.98
2003...................................................                282             290.08         \4\ 309.61
2004...................................................                308             308.75         \5\ 336.59
2005...................................................                335                 NA         \6\ 352.25
2006...................................................                354                 NA        \7\ 363.12
\3\ 2000 MEPS-IC increased by 2001 and 2002 percent changes from KFF/HRET.
\6\ 2003 MEPS-IC increased by the 2004 and 2005 percent changes from KFF/HRET.
\7\ 2004 MEPS-IC increased by the 2005 and 2006 percent changes from KFF/HRET.
insurance policy using both methodologies, and the percent change
between these methodologies.
Year                            Old methodology    New methodology     (old vs. new)
2000...................................................            $276.28            $206.44                -25
2001...................................................             294.24             232.46                -21
2002...................................................             313.78             276.98                -12
2003...................................................             332.60             309.61                 -7
2004...................................................             353.81             336.59                 -5
2005...................................................             374.82             352.25                 -6
2006...................................................         \a\ 397.45             363.12                -9
\a\ Revise this number when September 2006 CPI is published on October 31, 2006.
effects on State, local, and tribal governments and on the private
sector such as to require consultation under the Unfunded Mandates
The Secretary has also reviewed this Final Rule in accordance with
have ``federalism implications.'' The Final Rule would not ``have
This Final Rule will not adversely affect the following elements of
This Final Rule revises Sec.  100.2 to incorporate a new
methodology for calculating the average cost of a health insurance
policy. This new methodology will result in a more accurate reflection
the old methodology which resulted in a number that was too high.
Federal Register on June 29, 2007.
VICP, section 2115(a)(3)(B) of the PHS Act, 42 U.S.C. 300aa-
15(a)(3)(B), provides that certain individuals are entitled to receive
an amount reflecting lost earnings, less certain deductions. One of the
deductions is the average cost of a health insurance policy, as
determined by the Secretary. The Secretary has determined that the
average cost of a health insurance policy is $363.12 for 2006. This
figure is calculated periodically (generally on an annual basis) using
the most recent Medical Expenditure Panel Survey-Insurance Component
(MEPS-IC) data available as the baseline for the average monthly cost
of a health insurance policy. This baseline is adjusted by the annual
source that may be more accurate or appropriate in the future. The
revised amount will be effective upon its delivery by the Secretary to
the United States Court of Federal Claims, and the amount will be
published as a notice in the Federal Register periodically (generally
on an annual basis).