Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2005/09/23/05-18922/medicare-and-medicaid-programs-application-by-the-accreditation-commission-for-healthcare-for
Timestamp: 2018-03-23 06:08:02
Document Index: 93423437

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

Federal Register :: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Application by the Accreditation Commission for Healthcare for Deeming Authority for Home Health Agencies
Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Application by the Accreditation Commission for Healthcare for Deeming Authority for Home Health Agencies
70 FR 55862
55862-55863 (2 pages)
CMS-2227-PN
05-18922
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/05-18922 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/05-18922
Start Preamble Start Printed Page 55862
This proposed notice acknowledges the receipt of an application from the Accreditation Commission for Healthcare for recognition as a national accreditation program for home health agencies that wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs. Section 1865(b)(3)(A) of the Social Security Act 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.
To be assured consideration, comments must be received at the appropriate address, as provided below, no later than 5 p.m. on October 24, 2005.
In commenting, please refer to file code CMS-2227-PN. Because of staff and resource limitations, we cannot accept comments by facsimile (FAX) transmission.
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-2227-PN, P.O. Box 8018, Baltimore, MD 21244-8018.
3. By express or overnight mail. You may send 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-2227-PN, Mail Stop C4-26-05, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.
4. By hand or courier. If you prefer, you may deliver (by hand or courier) your written comments (one original and two copies) before the close of the comment period to one of the following addresses. If you intend to deliver your comments to the Baltimore address, please call Yolanda Hayes at telephone number (410) 786-7195 in advance to schedule your arrival with one of our staff members. Room 445-G, Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20201; or 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.
Under the Medicare program, eligible beneficiaries may receive covered services in a home health agency (HHA) provided certain requirements are met. Sections 1861(o) and 1891 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 part 484 specify the conditions that an HHA must meet in order to participate in the Medicare program, the scope of covered services, and the conditions for Medicare payment for home health care.
Generally, in order to enter into an agreement, an HHA must first be certified by a State survey agency as complying with the conditions or requirements set forth in part 484 of our regulations. Then, the HHA 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.
The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and the Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP) are currently the only approved national accreditation organizations for HHAs.
Section 1865(b)(2) of the Act and our regulations at § 488.8(a) require that our findings concerning review and reapproval of a national accrediting organization's requirements consider, among other factors, the applying accreditation 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 our consideration of the Accreditation Commission for Healthcare's (ACHC's) request to become a national accreditation organization for HHAs. Start Printed Page 55863This notice also solicits public comment on the ability of ACHC requirements to meet or exceed the Medicare conditions for participation for home health agencies.
On August 8, 2005, ACHC submitted all the necessary materials to enable us to make a determination concerning its request for approval as a deeming organization for HHAs. Under section 1865(b)(2) of the Act and our regulations at § 488.8 (Federal review of accreditation organizations), our review and evaluation of ACHC will be conducted in accordance with, but not necessarily limited to, the following factors:
The equivalency of ACHC standards for home health care as compared with our comparable home health conditions of participation.
—The comparability of ACHC processes to those of State agencies, including survey frequency, and the ability to investigate and respond appropriately to complaints against accredited facilities.
—ACHC's processes and procedures for monitoring providers or suppliers found out of compliance with ACHC program requirements. These monitoring procedures are used only when ACHC identifies noncompliance. If noncompliance is identified through validation reviews, the survey agency monitors corrections as specified at § 488.7(d).
—ACHC capacity to provide us with electronic data in ASCII comparable code, and reports necessary for effective validation and assessment of the organization's survey process.
—ACHC's policies with respect to whether surveys are announced or unannounced.
[FR Doc. 05-18922 Filed 9-22-05; 8:45 am]