81 FR 5447 - Request for Information: Certification Frequency and Requirements for the Reporting of Quality Measures Under CMS Programs; Extension of Comment Period
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 21 (February 2, 2016)
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 21 (February 2, 2016)
| Page Range | 5447-5448 | |
| FR Document | 2016-01937 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 21 (Tuesday, February 2, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 5447-5448] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-01937] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services [CMS-3323-N] Request for Information: Certification Frequency and Requirements for the Reporting of Quality Measures Under CMS Programs; Extension of Comment Period AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS. ACTION: Request for information; extension of comment period. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This document extends the comment period for the December 31, 2015 request for information entitled ``Request for Information: Certification Frequency and Requirements for the Reporting of Quality Measures Under CMS Programs'' (80 FR 81824) (referred to in this document as December 31 RFI). The comment period for the December 31 RFI, which would have ended on February 1, 2016, is extended for 15 days. DATES: The comment period is extended to February 16, 2016. To be assured consideration, written or electronic comments on the December 31 RFI must be received at one of the addresses provided below no later than February 16, 2016. ADDRESSES: In commenting on the December 31 RFI, please refer either to file code CMS-3323-NC and comment as indicated in that document (80 FR 81824) or file code CMS-3323-N and comment as provided in this document. Because of staff and resource limitations, we cannot accept comments by facsimile (FAX) transmission. You may submit comments in one of four ways (please choose only one of the ways listed): 1. Electronically. You may submit electronic comments on this regulation to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the ``Submit a comment'' instructions. 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-3323-N, P.O. Box 8013, Baltimore, MD 21244-8013. Please allow sufficient time for mailed comments to be received before the close of the comment period. 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-3323-N, 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 ONLY to the following addresses: a. For delivery in Washington, DC--Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, Room 445-G, Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20201. (Because access to the interior of the Hubert H. Humphrey Building is not readily available to persons without Federal government identification, commenters are encouraged to leave their comments in the CMS drop slots located in the main lobby of the building. A stamp- in clock is available for persons wishing to retain a proof of filing by stamping in and retaining an extra copy of the comments being filed.) b. For delivery in Baltimore, MD--Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850. If you intend to deliver your comments to the Baltimore address, call telephone number (410) 786-9994 in advance to schedule your arrival with one of our staff members. Comments erroneously mailed to the addresses indicated as appropriate for hand or courier delivery may be delayed and received after the comment period. Inspection of Public Comments: All comments received before the close of the comment period are available for viewing by the public, including any personally identifiable or confidential business information that is included in a comment. We post all comments received before the close of the comment period on the following Web site as soon as possible after they have been received: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the search instructions on that Web site to view public comments. Comments received timely will also be available for public inspection as they are received, generally beginning approximately 3 weeks after publication of a document, at the headquarters of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244, Monday through [[Page 5448]] Friday of each week from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. To schedule an appointment to view public comments, phone 1-800-743-3951. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa Marie Gomez, (410) 786-1175. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 31, 2015, we published a request for information in the Federal Register (80 FR 81824) entitled, ``Request for Information: Certification Frequency and Requirements for the Reporting of Quality Measures Under CMS Programs'' (referred to in this document as ``the December 31 RFI''). That request for information seek public comment regarding several items related to the certification of health information technology (IT), including electronic health records (EHR) products used for reporting to certain CMS quality reporting programs such as, but not limited to, the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting (IQR) Program and the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS). In addition, it requested feedback on how often to require recertification, the number of clinical quality measures (CQMs) a certified Health IT Module should be required to certify to, and testing of certified Health IT Module(s). We have received inquiries from stakeholders regarding the 30-day comment period to submit comments regarding the December 31 RFI. The stakeholders stated that they need additional time to respond to the questions posed in the December 31 RFI. Since we requested the public's comments on several options, we believe that it is important to allow ample time for the public to prepare their comments. Therefore, we have decided to extend the comment period for an additional 15 days. This document announces the extension of the public comment period to February 16, 2016. Dated: January 28, 2016. Andrew M. Slavitt, Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. [FR Doc. 2016-01937 Filed 2-1-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4120-01-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 21 / Tuesday, February 2, 2016 / Notices 5447
governmental jurisdictions. Most Dated: December 7, 2015. Please allow sufficient time for mailed
hospitals and most other providers and Andrew M. Slavitt, comments to be received before the
suppliers are small entities, either by Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare close of the comment period.
nonprofit status or by having revenues & Medicaid Services. 3. By express or overnight mail. You
of $7.0 million to $35.5 million in any [FR Doc. 2016–01835 Filed 1–29–16; 4:15 pm] may send written comments to the
one year. Individuals and states are not BILLING CODE 4120–01–P
following address ONLY: Centers for
included in the definition of a small Medicare & Medicaid Services,
entity. CMS is not preparing an analysis Department of Health and Human
for the RFA because it has determined, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND Services, Attention: CMS–3323–N, Mail
and the Secretary certifies, that this HUMAN SERVICES Stop C4–26–05, 7500 Security
Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244–1850.
document will not have a significant
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid 4. By hand or courier. Alternatively,
economic impact on a substantial you may deliver (by hand or courier)
Services
number of small entities. your written comments ONLY to the
In addition, section 1102(b) of the Act [CMS–3323–N] following addresses:
requires us to prepare a regulatory a. For delivery in Washington, DC—
Request for Information: Certification Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
impact analysis if an action may have a
Frequency and Requirements for the Services, Department of Health and
significant impact on the operations of
Reporting of Quality Measures Under Human Services, Room 445–G, Hubert
a substantial number of small rural
CMS Programs; Extension of Comment H. Humphrey Building, 200
hospitals. This analysis must conform to Period
the provisions of section 604 of the Independence Avenue SW.,
RFA. For purposes of section 1102(b) of AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Washington, DC 20201.
the Act, CMS defines a small rural Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS. (Because access to the interior of the
hospital as a hospital that is located Hubert H. Humphrey Building is not
ACTION: Request for information;
readily available to persons without
outside of a Metropolitan Statistical extension of comment period. Federal government identification,
Area for Medicare payment purposes
SUMMARY: This document extends the commenters are encouraged to leave
and has fewer than 100 beds. CMS is not
comment period for the December 31, their comments in the CMS drop slots
preparing an analysis for section 1102(b)
2015 request for information entitled located in the main lobby of the
of the Act because it has determined, building. A stamp-in clock is available
and the Secretary certifies, that this ‘‘Request for Information: Certification
Frequency and Requirements for the for persons wishing to retain a proof of
document will not have a significant filing by stamping in and retaining an
impact on the operations of a substantial Reporting of Quality Measures Under
CMS Programs’’ (80 FR 81824) (referred extra copy of the comments being filed.)
number of small rural hospitals. b. For delivery in Baltimore, MD—
to in this document as December 31
Section 202 of the Unfunded RFI). The comment period for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 also December 31 RFI, which would have Services, Department of Health and
requires that agencies assess anticipated ended on February 1, 2016, is extended Human Services, 7500 Security
costs and benefits before issuing any for 15 days. Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244–1850.
regulatory action whose mandates If you intend to deliver your
DATES: The comment period is extended comments to the Baltimore address, call
require spending in any one year of to February 16, 2016. To be assured
$100 million in 1995 dollars, updated telephone number (410) 786–9994 in
consideration, written or electronic advance to schedule your arrival with
annually for inflation. In 2015, that comments on the December 31 RFI must
threshold is approximately $144 one of our staff members.
be received at one of the addresses Comments erroneously mailed to the
million. This document will have no provided below no later than February addresses indicated as appropriate for
consequential effect on state, local, or 16, 2016. hand or courier delivery may be delayed
tribal governments or on the private ADDRESSES: In commenting on the and received after the comment period.
sector. December 31 RFI, please refer either to Inspection of Public Comments: All
Executive Order 13132 establishes file code CMS–3323–NC and comment comments received before the close of
certain requirements that an agency as indicated in that document (80 FR the comment period are available for
must meet when it promulgates a 81824) or file code CMS–3323–N and viewing by the public, including any
proposed regulatory action (and comment as provided in this document. personally identifiable or confidential
subsequent final action) that imposes Because of staff and resource business information that is included in
substantial direct requirement costs on limitations, we cannot accept comments a comment. We post all comments
state and local governments, preempts by facsimile (FAX) transmission. received before the close of the
state law, or otherwise has Federalism You may submit comments in one of comment period on the following Web
implications. Because this document four ways (please choose only one of the site as soon as possible after they have
does not impose any costs on state or ways listed): been received: http://
local governments, the requirements of 1. Electronically. You may submit www.regulations.gov. Follow the search
Executive Order 13132 are not electronic comments on this regulation instructions on that Web site to view
applicable. to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow public comments. Comments received
the ‘‘Submit a comment’’ instructions. timely will also be available for public
In accordance with the provisions of
wgreen on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
2. By regular mail. You may mail inspection as they are received,
Executive Order 12866, the Office of written comments to the following generally beginning approximately 3
Management and Budget reviewed this address ONLY: Centers for Medicare & weeks after publication of a document,
document. Medicaid Services, Department of at the headquarters of the Centers for
Authority: Sections 1102 and 1871 of the Health and Human Services, Attention: Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1302 and CMS–3323–N, P.O. Box 8013, Security Boulevard, Baltimore,
1395hh) and 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35. Baltimore, MD 21244–8013. Maryland 21244, Monday through
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![5448 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 21 / Tuesday, February 2, 2016 / Notices
Friday of each week from 8:30 a.m. to DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND was described in the Disproportionate
4 p.m. To schedule an appointment to HUMAN SERVICES Share Hospital Payment Reduction final
view public comments, phone 1–800– rule published in the September 18,
743–3951. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid 2013 Federal Register (78 FR 57293).
Services Under the DSH reduction methodology,
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa first, each state’s unreduced FY DSH
Marie Gomez, (410) 786–1175. [CMS–2398–N]
allotment would have been calculated
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On RIN 0983–ZB24 in accordance with the provisions of
December 31, 2015, we published a section 1923(f) of the Act, excluding
Medicaid Program; Final FY 2013 and section 1923(f)(7) of the Act; then, the
request for information in the Federal Preliminary FY 2015 Disproportionate
Register (80 FR 81824) entitled, reduction amount for each state would
Share Hospital Allotments, and Final have been determined under the
‘‘Request for Information: Certification FY 2013 and Preliminary FY 2015 provisions of section 1923(f)(7) of the
Frequency and Requirements for the Institutions for Mental Diseases Act and implementing regulations at 42
Reporting of Quality Measures Under Disproportionate Share Hospital Limits CFR 447.294; and, finally, the net FY
CMS Programs’’ (referred to in this DSH allotment for each state would
document as ‘‘the December 31 RFI’’). AGENCY: Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS. have been determined by subtracting the
That request for information seek public DSH reduction amount for the state
comment regarding several items related ACTION: Notice. from its unreduced FY 2014 DSH
to the certification of health information allotment.
SUMMARY: This notice announces the
technology (IT), including electronic The reductions under section
final federal share disproportionate
health records (EHR) products used for 1923(f)(7) of the Act were most recently
share hospital (DSH) allotments for
reporting to certain CMS quality delayed and modified by the Medicare
federal fiscal year (FY) 2013 and the
reporting programs such as, but not Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of
preliminary federal share DSH
limited to, the Hospital Inpatient 2015 (MACRA) (Pub. L. 114–10),
allotments for FY 2015. This notice also
Quality Reporting (IQR) Program and enacted on April 16, 2015. The
announces the final FY 2013 and the
the Physician Quality Reporting System reductions of states’ fiscal year DSH
preliminary FY 2015 limitations on
(PQRS). In addition, it requested allotments under section 1923(f)(7) of
aggregate DSH payments that states may the Act that were applicable to FY 2017
feedback on how often to require make to institutions for mental disease
recertification, the number of clinical were repealed, and are instead
and other mental health facilities. In scheduled to begin in FY 2018 at
quality measures (CQMs) a certified addition, this notice includes modified levels. MACRA also extended
Health IT Module should be required to background information describing the DSH allotment reductions through 2025.
certify to, and testing of certified Health methodology for determining the Because there is no reduction to DSH
IT Module(s). amounts of states’ FY DSH allotments. allotments for FY 2015 under section
We have received inquiries from DATES: This notice is effective March 3, 1923(f)(7) of the Act, this notice
stakeholders regarding the 30-day 2016. The final allotments and contains only the state-specific
comment period to submit comments limitations set forth in this notice are preliminary FY 2015 DSH allotments, as
regarding the December 31 RFI. The effective for the fiscal years specified. calculated under the statute without
stakeholders stated that they need FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: application of the reductions that would
additional time to respond to the Stuart Goldstein, (410) 786–0694 and have otherwise been imposed. This
questions posed in the December 31 Richard Cuno, (410) 786–1111. notice also provides information on the
RFI. Since we requested the public’s SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: calculation of such FY DSH allotments,
comments on several options, we the calculation of the states’ IMD DSH
I. Background limits, and the amounts of states’
believe that it is important to allow
ample time for the public to prepare A. Fiscal Year DSH Allotments preliminary FY 2015 IMD DSH limits.
their comments. Therefore, we have A state’s federal fiscal year (FY) B. Determination of Fiscal Year DSH
decided to extend the comment period disproportionate share hospital (DSH) Allotments
for an additional 15 days. This allotment represents the aggregate limit Generally, in accordance with the
document announces the extension of on the federal share amount of the methodology specified under section
the public comment period to February state’s payments to DSH hospitals in the 1923(f)(3) of the Act, a state’s FY DSH
16, 2016. state for the FY. The amount of such allotment is calculated by increasing the
Dated: January 28, 2016. allotment is determined in accordance amount of its DSH allotment for the
with the provisions of section 1923(f)(3) preceding FY by the percentage change
Andrew M. Slavitt,
of the Social Security Act (the Act). in the CPI–U for the previous FY. Also
Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare Under such provisions, in general a in accordance with section 1923(f)(3) of
& Medicaid Services. state’s FY DSH allotment is calculated the Act, a state’s DSH allotment for a FY
[FR Doc. 2016–01937 Filed 2–1–16; 8:45 am] by increasing the amount of its DSH is subject to the limitation that an
BILLING CODE 4120–01–P allotment for the preceding FY by the increase to a state’s DSH allotment for
percentage change in the Consumer a FY cannot result in the DSH allotment
Price Index for all Urban Consumers exceeding the greater of the state’s DSH
wgreen on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
(CPI–U) for the previous FY. allotment for the previous FY or 12
The Affordable Care Act amended percent of the state’s total medical
Medicaid DSH provisions, adding assistance expenditures for the
section 1923(f)(7) of the Act which allotment year (this is referred to as the
would have required reductions to 12 percent limit).
states’ FY DSH allotments beginning Furthermore, under section 1923(h) of
with FY 2014, the calculation of which the Act, federal financial participation
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Document Created: 2016-02-02 00:32:17
Document Modified: 2016-02-02 00:32:17
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Request for information; extension of comment period. | |
| Dates | The comment period is extended to February 16, 2016. To be assured consideration, written or electronic comments on the December | |
| Contact | Lisa Marie Gomez, (410) 786-1175. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 5447 |
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