Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2014/06/27/2014-15100/medicare-and-medicaid-programs-application-from-det-norske-veritas-healthcare-for-continued
Timestamp: 2017-08-20 23:38:01
Document Index: 60228090

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

Federal Register :: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Application From Det Norske Veritas Healthcare for Continued CMS-Approval of Its Critical Access Hospital Accreditation Program
Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Application From Det Norske Veritas Healthcare for Continued CMS-Approval of Its Critical Access Hospital Accreditation Program
A Notice by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on 06/27/2014
79 FR 36521
CMS-3301-PN
2014-15100
CMS-2014-0089
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2014-15100 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2014-15100
This proposed notice acknowledges the receipt of an application from Det Norske Veritas Healthcare (DNVHC) for continued recognition as a national accrediting organization for critical access hospitals (CAHs) that wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs.
In commenting, please refer to file code CMS-3301-PN. Because of staff and resource limitations, we cannot accept comments by facsimile (FAX) transmission.
1. Electronically. You may submit electronic comments on specific issues in this regulation to http://www.regulations.gov . Follow the “submit a comment” instructions.
2. By regular mail. You may mail written comments (one original and two copies) to the following address ONLY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, Attention: CMS-3301-PN, P.O. Box 8016, Baltimore, MD 21244-8016.
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-3301-PN, Mail Stop C4-26-05, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.
4. By hand or courier. Alternatively, you may deliver (by hand or courier) your written comments to the following addresses:
Barbara Easterling, (410) 786-0482, Cindy Melanson, (410) 786-0310, Patricia Chmielewski, (410) 786-6899, or Lillian Williams, (410) 786-8636.
Submitting Comments: We welcome comments from the public on all issues set forth in this proposed notice to assist us in fully considering issues and developing policies. Referencing the file code CMS-3301-PN and the specific “issue identifier” that precedes the section on which you choose to comment will assist us in fully considering issues and developing policies.
Under the Medicare program, eligible beneficiaries may receive covered services in a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) provided certain requirements are met by the CAH. Section 1820(e) and 1861(mm) of the Social Security Act (the Act), establishes distinct criteria for facilities seeking designation as a CAH. 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 part 485, subpart F specify the conditions that a CAH must meet to participate in the Medicare program, the scope of covered services, and the conditions for Medicare payment for CAHs.
Generally, to enter into an agreement, a CAH must first be certified by a state survey agency as complying with the conditions or requirements set forth in part 485, subpart F of our CMS regulations. Thereafter, the CAH 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.
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 approval of its accreditation program under part 488, subpart A, must provide us with reasonable assurance that the Start Printed Page 36522accrediting 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 an accrediting organization to reapply for continued approval of its accreditation program every 6 years or as determined by CMS. Det Norske Veritas Healthcare's (DNVHC) current term of approval for its CAH accreditation program expires December 23, 2014.
Section 1865(a)(2) of the Act and our regulations at § 488.8(a) require that our findings concerning review and approval of a national accrediting organization's requirements consider, among other factors, the applying accrediting organization's requirements for accreditation; survey procedures; resources for conducting required surveys; capacity to furnish information for use in enforcement activities; monitoring procedures for provider entities found not in compliance with the conditions or requirements; and ability to provide us with the necessary data for validation.
The purpose of this proposed notice is to inform the public of DNVHC's request for continued CMS approval of its CAH accreditation program. This notice also solicits public comment on whether DNVHC's requirements meet or exceed the Medicare conditions of participation (CoPs) for CAHs.
DNVHC submitted all the necessary materials to enable us to make a determination concerning its request for continued approval of its CAH accreditation program. This application was determined to be complete on May 2, 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 DNVHC will be conducted in accordance with, but not necessarily limited to, the following factors:
The equivalency of DNVHC's standards for CAHs as compared with CMS' CAH CoPs.
DNVHC's survey process to determine the following:
++ The comparability of DNVHC's processes to those of state agencies, including survey frequency, and the ability to investigate and respond appropriately to complaints against accredited facilities.
++ DNVHC's processes and procedures for monitoring a CAH found out of compliance with DNVHC's program requirements. These monitoring procedures are used only when DNVHC identifies noncompliance. If noncompliance is identified through validation reviews or complaint surveys, the state survey agency monitors corrections as specified at § 488.7(d).
++ DNVHC's capacity to report deficiencies to the surveyed facilities and respond to the facility's plan of correction in a timely manner.
++ DNVHC's capacity to provide CMS with electronic data and reports necessary for effective validation and assessment of the organization's survey process.
++ The adequacy of DNVHC's staff and other resources, and its financial viability.
++ DNVHC's capacity to adequately fund required surveys.
++ DNVHC's policies with respect to whether surveys are announced or unannounced, to assure that surveys are unannounced.
++ DNVHC's agreement to provide CMS with a copy of the most current accreditation survey together with any other information related to the survey as CMS may require (including corrective action plans).
[FR Doc. 2014-15100 Filed 6-26-14; 8:45 am]
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