83 FR 3152 - Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Application by The Compliance Team for Continued CMS Approval of Its Rural Health Clinic Accreditation Program

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 15 (January 23, 2018)

Page Range		3152-3154
FR Document		2018-01178

This proposed notice acknowledges the receipt of an application from The Compliance Team (TCT) for continued recognition as a national accrediting organization for rural health clinics (RHCs) 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, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) 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.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 15 (Tuesday, January 23, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 15 (Tuesday, January 23, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3152-3154]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-01178]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-3351-PN]


Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Application by The Compliance 
Team for Continued CMS Approval of Its Rural Health Clinic 
Accreditation Program

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.

ACTION: Proposed notice with request for comment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This proposed notice acknowledges the receipt of an 
application from The Compliance Team

[[Page 3153]]

(TCT) for continued recognition as a national accrediting organization 
for rural health clinics (RHCs) 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, the Centers for 
Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) 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.

DATES: To be assured consideration, comments must be received at one of 
the addresses provided below, no later than 5 p.m. February 22, 2018.

ADDRESSES: In commenting, refer to file code CMS-3351-PN. 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-3351-PN, P.O. Box 8016, 
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-3351-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 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) 786-7195 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.
    For information on viewing public comments, see the beginning of 
the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
    Christina Mister-Ward, (410) 786-2441.
    Monda Shaver, (410) 786-3410.
    Patricia Chmielewski, (410) 786-6899.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 website as soon as possible after they have been 
received: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the search instructions on 
that website to view public comments.

I. Background

    Under the Medicare program, eligible beneficiaries may receive 
covered services in a rural health clinic (RHC) provided certain 
requirements are met by the RHC. Section 1861(aa) and 1905(l)(1) of the 
Social Security Act (the Act), establish distinct criteria for 
facilities seeking designation as a RHC. 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, subpart A. The regulations at 42 CFR part 491, 
subpart A specify the conditions that a RHC must meet to participate in 
the Medicare program. The scope of covered services and the conditions 
for Medicare payment for RHCs are set forth at 42 CFR part 405, subpart 
X.
    Generally, to enter into a provider agreement with the Medicare 
program, a RHC must first be certified by a state survey agency as 
complying with the conditions or requirements set forth in 42 CFR part 
491. Thereafter, the RHC 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 an approved national accrediting 
organization that all applicable Medicare conditions are met or 
exceeded, we will 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 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 
CMS approval of its accreditation program under 42 CFR part 488, 
subpart A, must provide us 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 Sec.  488.5. Section 488.5(e)(2)(i) 
requires an accrediting organization to reapply for continued approval 
of its accreditation program every 6 years or as determined by CMS. The 
Compliance Team (TCT) current term of approval for its RHC 
accreditation program expires July 18, 2018.

II. Approval of Accreditation Organizations

    Section 1865(a)(2) of the Act and Sec.  488.5 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.
    Section 1865(a)(3)(A) of the Act further requires that we publish, 
within 60 days of receipt of an organization's complete application, a 
notice identifying the national accrediting body making the request, 
describing the nature of the request, and providing at least a 30-day 
public comment period. We have 210 days from the receipt of a

[[Page 3154]]

complete application to publish notice of approval or denial of the 
application.
    The purpose of this proposed notice is to inform the public of 
TCT's request for continued CMS approval of its RHC accreditation 
program. This notice also solicits public comment on whether TCT's 
requirements meet or exceed the Medicare conditions for certification 
for RHCs.

III. Evaluation of Accreditation Organization Request

    TCT submitted all the necessary materials to enable us to make a 
determination concerning its request for continued approval of its RHC 
accreditation program. This application was determined to be complete 
on November 24, 2017. Under section 1865(a)(2) of the Act and Sec.  
488.5 (Application and re-application procedures for national 
accrediting organizations), our review and evaluation of TCT will be 
conducted in accordance with, but not necessarily limited to, the 
following factors:
     The equivalency of TCT's standards for RHCs as compared 
with CMS's RHC conditions for certification.
     TCT's survey process to determine the following:
    ++ The composition of the survey team, surveyor qualifications, and 
the ability of the organization to provide continuing surveyor 
training.
    ++ The comparability of TCT's processes to those of state agencies, 
including survey frequency, and the ability to investigate and respond 
appropriately to complaints against accredited facilities.
    ++ TCT's processes and procedures for monitoring a RHC determined 
to be out of compliance with TCT's program requirements. These 
monitoring procedures are used only when TCT identifies noncompliance. 
If noncompliance is identified through validation reviews or complaint 
surveys, the state survey agency monitors corrections as specified at 
Sec.  488.9(c).
    ++ TCT's capacity to report deficiencies to the surveyed facilities 
and respond to the facility's plan of correction in a timely manner.
    ++ TCT'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 TCT's staff and other resources, and its 
financial viability.
    ++ TCT's capacity to adequately fund required surveys.
    ++ TCT's policies with respect to whether surveys are announced or 
unannounced, to assure that surveys are unannounced.
    ++ TCT'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).

IV. Collection of Information Requirements

    This document does not impose information collection requirements, 
that is, reporting, recordkeeping or third-party disclosure 
requirements. Consequently, there is no need for review by the Office 
of Management and Budget under the authority of the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

V. Response to Public Comments

    Because of the large number of public comments we normally receive 
on Federal Register documents, we are not able to acknowledge or 
respond to them individually. We will consider all comments we receive 
by the date and time specified in the DATES section of this preamble, 
and, when we proceed with a subsequent document, we will respond to the 
comments in the preamble to that document.
    Upon completion of our evaluation, including evaluation of comments 
received as a result of this notice, we will publish a final notice in 
the Federal Register announcing the result of our evaluation.

    Dated: January 12, 2018.
Seema Verma,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 2018-01178 Filed 1-22-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4120-01-P

3152 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 15 / Tuesday, January 23, 2018 / Notices

Center for Injury Prevention and Control limited to: environmental pollutants prior experience serving on a federal
(NCIPC), the National Center for (air/water), toxic substances most advisory committee does not disqualify
Environmental Health (NCEH), and the commonly found at facilities on the a candidate; however, HHS policy is to
Agency for Toxic Substances and National Priorities List (NPL) (see avoid excessive individual service on
Disease Registry (ATSDR). www.atsdr.cdc.gov/spl), chemical advisory committees and multiple
DATES: Nominations for membership on releases, natural disasters, and other committee memberships. Reviewers
the NCIPC, NCEH and ATSDR SEPs potential NCEH/ATSDR research appointed to the CDC SEPs are not
must be received no later than June 30, priorities. In addition, reviewers with considered Special Government
2018. Packages received after this time expertise in the following Employees, and will not be required to
will not be considered for the current methodological fields are sought to file financial disclosure reports.
membership cycle. serve on the NCIPC, NCEH and ATSDR Nominees interested in serving as a
ADDRESSES: All nominations should be SEPs: economic evaluation, etiology of potential reviewer on a CDC SEP for
mailed to NCIPC Extramural Program disease, implementation and translation NCIPC, NCEH, or ATSDR programs
Office (ERPO): Centers for Disease science, intervention research, policy should submit the following items:
Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford evaluation, program evaluation, • Current curriculum vitae,
Highway, Mailstop F–63, Atlanta, GA qualitative research design, quantitative highlighting specific areas of research
30341, emailed (recommended) to research design, statistics, and interest and expertise as well as
NCIPC_ERPO@cdc.gov, or faxed to (770) surveillance. Members and Chairs shall complete contact information (name,
488–4529. be selected by the Secretary, HHS, or affiliation, mailing address, telephone
other official to whom the authority has number, and email address).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
been delegated, on an ‘‘as needed’’ basis Nomination materials must be
Kenneth Roberts, Public Health Analyst,
in response to specific applications postmarked by April 30, 2018 and sent
CDC/NCIPC/ERPO, 4770 Buford
being reviewed with expertise to by U.S. mail to: NCIPC Extramural
Highway, Mailstop F–63, Atlanta, GA
provide advice. Members will be Research Program Office (ERPO):
30341; Telephone: (404) 498–1427;
selected from authorities in the various Centers for Disease Control and
Email: KRoberts3@cdc.gov.
fields of prevention and control of Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway,
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
diseases, disabilities, and injuries. Mailstop F–63, Atlanta, Georgia 30341
Disease, Disability, and Injury or to the ERPO electronic mailbox
Prevention and Control Special Members of other chartered HHS
advisory committees may serve on the NCIPC_ERPO@cdc.gov. Nominations
Emphasis Panel provides advice and may be submitted by the candidate him-
guidance to the Secretary, Department panel if their expertise is required.
Consideration is given to professional or herself, or by the person/organization
of Health and Human Services (HHS); recommending the candidate.
the Director, Centers for Disease Control training and background, points of view
represented, and upcoming applications The Director, Management Analysis
and Prevention (CDC), and the and Services Office, has been delegated
Administrator, Agency for Toxic to be reviewed by the committee.
Information about nominated potential the authority to sign Federal Register
Substances and Disease Registry notices pertaining to announcements of
(ATSDR) regarding the concept review, reviewers will be maintained in the
NCIPC Extramural Research Program meetings and other committee
scientific and technical merit of grant management activities for both CDC and
and cooperative agreement assistance Office (ERPO) Scientific Reviewer and
Advisor Database. The work of the Agency for Toxic Substances and
applications, and contract proposals Disease Registry.
relating to the causes, prevention, and reviewers’ appointed to CDC SEPs
control of diseases, disabilities, injuries, includes the initial review, discussion, Elaine L. Baker,
and impairments of public health and written critique and evaluation of Director, Management Analysis and Services
significance; exposure to hazardous applications. This work will enable the Office, Centers for Disease Control and
substances in the environment; health CDC to fulfill its mission of funding Prevention.
promotion and education; and other meritorious research that provides vital [FR Doc. 2018–01116 Filed 1–22–18; 8:45 am]
related activities that promote health knowledge about underlying risk and BILLING CODE 4163–18–P
and well-being. Nominations are being protective factors and strategies for:
sought for individuals who have violence and injury prevention
expertise and qualifications necessary to (www.cdc.gov/injury), exposures to DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
contribute to the accomplishment of environmental agents and hazardous HUMAN SERVICES
CDC SEP objectives. Reviewers with substances (www.atsdr.cdc.gov), and the
environmental public health impact Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
expertise in the following research
caused by intentional or unintentional Services
fields for injury and violence prevention
are sought to serve on the NCIPC SEPs, events (www.cdc.gov/nceh). [CMS–3351–PN]
for research and evaluation related, but The U.S. Department of Health and
not limited to: child abuse and neglect, Human Services policy stipulates that Medicare and Medicaid Programs;
opioid overdose, intimate partner committee membership be balanced in Application by The Compliance Team
violence, motor vehicle injury, older terms of points of view represented, and for Continued CMS Approval of Its
adult falls, self-directed violence, sexual the committee’s function. Appointments Rural Health Clinic Accreditation
violence, traumatic brain injury, teen shall be made without discrimination Program
dating violence and youth violence (see on the basis of age, race, ethnicity,
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare &
www.cdc.gov/injury/researchpriorities). gender, sexual orientation, gender Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.
Reviewers with expertise in the identity, HIV status, disability, and ACTION: Proposed notice with request for
following research fields for prevention cultural, religious, or socioeconomic comment.
and reduction of adverse effects related status. Nominees must be U.S. citizens,
to environmental hazards are sought to and cannot be full-time employees of SUMMARY: This proposed notice
serve on the NCEH/ATSDR SEPs, for the U.S. Government. Current acknowledges the receipt of an
research and evaluation related, but not participation on federal workgroups or application from The Compliance Team

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3154 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 15 / Tuesday, January 23, 2018 / Notices

complete application to publish notice unannounced, to assure that surveys are publish notice in the Federal Register
of approval or denial of the application. unannounced. concerning each proposed collection of
The purpose of this proposed notice ++ TCT’s agreement to provide CMS information, including each proposed
is to inform the public of TCT’s request with a copy of the most current extension or reinstatement of an existing
for continued CMS approval of its RHC accreditation survey together with any collection of information, and to allow
accreditation program. This notice also other information related to the survey a second opportunity for public
solicits public comment on whether as CMS may require (including comment on the notice. Interested
TCT’s requirements meet or exceed the corrective action plans). persons are invited to send comments
Medicare conditions for certification for regarding the burden estimate or any
IV. Collection of Information
RHCs. other aspect of this collection of
Requirements
information, including the necessity and
III. Evaluation of Accreditation This document does not impose utility of the proposed information
Organization Request information collection requirements, collection for the proper performance of
TCT submitted all the necessary that is, reporting, recordkeeping or the agency’s functions, the accuracy of
materials to enable us to make a third-party disclosure requirements. the estimated burden, ways to enhance
determination concerning its request for Consequently, there is no need for the quality, utility, and clarity of the
continued approval of its RHC review by the Office of Management and information to be collected; and the use
accreditation program. This application Budget under the authority of the of automated collection techniques or
was determined to be complete on Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 other forms of information technology to
November 24, 2017. Under section U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). minimize the information collection
1865(a)(2) of the Act and § 488.5 V. Response to Public Comments burden.
(Application and re-application DATES: Comments on the collection(s) of
procedures for national accrediting Because of the large number of public
comments we normally receive on information must be received by the
organizations), our review and OMB desk officer by February 22, 2018.
evaluation of TCT will be conducted in Federal Register documents, we are not
able to acknowledge or respond to them ADDRESSES: When commenting on the
accordance with, but not necessarily
individually. We will consider all proposed information collections,
limited to, the following factors:
• The equivalency of TCT’s standards comments we receive by the date and please reference the document identifier
for RHCs as compared with CMS’s RHC time specified in the DATES section of or OMB control number. To be assured
conditions for certification. this preamble, and, when we proceed consideration, comments and
• TCT’s survey process to determine with a subsequent document, we will recommendations must be received by
the following: respond to the comments in the the OMB desk officer via one of the
++ The composition of the survey preamble to that document. following transmissions: OMB, Office of
team, surveyor qualifications, and the Upon completion of our evaluation, Information and Regulatory Affairs,
ability of the organization to provide including evaluation of comments Attention: CMS Desk Officer, Fax
continuing surveyor training. received as a result of this notice, we Number: (202) 395–5806 OR Email:
++ The comparability of TCT’s will publish a final notice in the Federal OIRA_submission@omb.eop.gov.
processes to those of state agencies, Register announcing the result of our To obtain copies of a supporting
including survey frequency, and the evaluation. statement and any related forms for the
ability to investigate and respond proposed collection(s) summarized in
Dated: January 12, 2018.
appropriately to complaints against this notice, you may make your request
Seema Verma, using one of following:
accredited facilities. Administrator, Centers for Medicare &
++ TCT’s processes and procedures 1. Access CMS’ website address at
Medicaid Services. website address at https://www.cms.gov/
for monitoring a RHC determined to be
[FR Doc. 2018–01178 Filed 1–22–18; 8:45 am] Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/
out of compliance with TCT’s program
requirements. These monitoring BILLING CODE 4120–01–P PaperworkReductionActof1995/PRA-
procedures are used only when TCT Listing.html.
identifies noncompliance. If 2. Email your request, including your
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND address, phone number, OMB number,
noncompliance is identified through HUMAN SERVICES
validation reviews or complaint and CMS document identifier, to
surveys, the state survey agency Paperwork@cms.hhs.gov.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid 3. Call the Reports Clearance Office at
monitors corrections as specified at Services (410) 786–1326.
§ 488.9(c).
++ TCT’s capacity to report [Document Identifier CMS–10549] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
deficiencies to the surveyed facilities William Parham at (410) 786–4669.
Agency Information Collection SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the
and respond to the facility’s plan of
Activities: Submission for OMB Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA)
correction in a timely manner.
++ TCT’s capacity to provide CMS Review; Comment Request (44 U.S.C. 3501–3520), federal agencies
with electronic data and reports AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & must obtain approval from the Office of
necessary for effective validation and Medicaid Services, HHS. Management and Budget (OMB) for each
assessment of the organization’s survey ACTION: Notice. collection of information they conduct
or sponsor. The term ‘‘collection of
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

process.
++ The adequacy of TCT’s staff and SUMMARY: The Centers for Medicare & information’’ is defined in 44 U.S.C.
other resources, and its financial Medicaid Services (CMS) is announcing 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c) and
viability. an opportunity for the public to includes agency requests or
++ TCT’s capacity to adequately fund comment on CMS’ intention to collect requirements that members of the public
required surveys. information from the public. Under the submit reports, keep records, or provide
++ TCT’s policies with respect to Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 information to a third party. Section
whether surveys are announced or (PRA), federal agencies are required to 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C.

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Document Created: 2018-01-23 01:08:50
Document Modified: 2018-01-23 01:08:50

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		Proposed notice with request for comment.
Dates		To be assured consideration, comments must be received at one of
Contact		Christina Mister-Ward, (410) 786-2441.
FR Citation		83 FR 3152

83 FR 3152 - Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Application by The Compliance Team for Continued CMS Approval of Its Rural Health Clinic Accreditation Program

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICESCenters for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 15 (January 23, 2018)

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services