[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 61 (Tuesday, March 31, 1998)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 15315] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-8502] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Health Care Financing Administration 42 CFR Part 413 [HCFA-1808-CN] RIN 0938-AG70 Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Salary Equivalency Guidelines for Physical Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, Speech Language Pathology, and Occupational Therapy Services; Revised Effective Date and Technical Correction AGENCY: Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), HHS. ACTION: Final rule; delay of effective date and correction. SUMMARY: This document delays the effective date of the final rule on salary equivalency guidelines, published in the Federal Register (63 FR 5106) on January 30, 1998, from April 1, 1998 to April 10, 1998. In addition, we are making a technical correction in the preamble to the January 30, 1998 final rule. EFFECTIVE DATES: The effective date of the final rule published at 63 FR 5106 is April 10, 1998. The technical correction is effective April 10, 1998. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jackie Gordon, (410) 786-4517. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 30, 1998, we issued a final rule in the Federal Register (63 FR 5106) that set forth revisions to the salary equivalency guidelines for Medicare payment for the reasonable costs of physical therapy and respiratory therapy services furnished under arrangements by an outside contractor. This final rule also set forth new salary equivalency guidelines for Medicare payment for the reasonable costs of speech language pathology and occupational therapy services furnished under arrangements by an outside contractor. The guidelines do not apply to inpatient hospital services and hospice services. The guidelines will be used by Medicare fiscal intermediaries to determine the maximum allowable cost of those services. We announced that the effective date for this final rule would be April 1, 1998. Revised Effective Date This rule is a major rule as defined in Title 5, United States Code, section 804(2). Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(3), this rule may not take effect until 60 days after the report required by that section is submitted to Congress. The report for this rule was submitted to Congress on February 10, 1998. Therefore, the earliest date this rule can become effective is April 10, 1998. Technical Correction In the January 30, 1998 final rule (63 FR 5106) on page 5108, first column, beginning in the sixth line, the phrase ``Medicare beneficiaries whose nursing home stays are not paid by Medicare'' is corrected to read ``Medicare SNF residents who are not in a covered Part A stay''. Authority: Secs. 1102, 1861(v)(1)(A), and 1871 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C 1302, 1395x(v)(1)(A), and 1395hh). (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.773 Medicare--Hospital Insurance Program and Program No. 93.774, Medicare--Supplementary Medical Insurance Program) Dated: March 3, 1998. Nancy-Ann Min DeParle, Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration. Dated: March 26, 1998. Donna E. Shalala, Secretary. [FR Doc. 98-8502 Filed 3-30-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4120-01-P