[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 250 (Wednesday, December 30, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 71819-71820]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-34350]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Office of the Secretary
Office of Inspector General

45 CFR Part 61

RIN 0991-AA98


Health Care Fraud and Abuse Data Collection Program: Reporting of 
Final Adverse Actions--Extension of Comment Period

AGENCY: Office of Inspector General (OIG), HHS.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: On October 30, 1998, we published a notice of proposed 
rulemaking designed to set forth the policy and procedures for 
implementing the new Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Banks 
(HIPDB), in accordance with the statutory requirements of section 1128E 
of the

[[Page 71820]]

Social Security Act, as added by section 221(a) of the Health Insurance 
Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 (63 FR 58341). We 
are extending the comment period at the request of several 
organizations.

DATES: To assure consideration, public comments must be delivered to 
the address provided below by January 11, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Please mail or deliver your written comments to the 
following address: Health Resources and Services Administration, Bureau 
of Health Professions, Division of Quality Assurance, Room 8-55, 
Attention: OIG-46-P, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20857.
    Because of staffing and resource limitations, we cannot accept 
comments by facsimile (FAX). In commenting, please refer to file code 
OIG-46-P.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joel Schaer, Office of Counsel to the 
Inspector General, (202) 619-1306.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed regulations are designed to 
implement section 221(a) of the HIPAA, which specifically direct the 
Secretary to establish a national health care fraud and abuse data 
collection program for the reporting and disclosing of certain final 
adverse actions taken against health care providers, suppliers or 
practitioners; and maintain a data base of final adverse actions taken 
against health care providers, suppliers and practitioners. We 
indicated in the preamble of that document that we are allowing a 60-
day public comment period during which time interested parties could 
submit their comments and recommendations regarding the implementation 
of the Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank. The Department 
agreed to consider all comments received on or before December 29, 
1998.
    Since publication of the proposed rule, we have received requests 
from several outside organizations and associations to extend the 
existing comment period beyond the 60-day period. Because of our desire 
to work with affected outside organizations and associations in 
considering their recommendations in establishing viable and 
operational data bank, and concerns from some parties that the holiday 
season has hampered their ability to poll constituents in a timely and 
effective manner to provide comprehensive comments, we have agreed to 
extend the public comment period to this notice of proposed rulemaking 
until January 11, 1999.

    Dated: December 8, 1998.
Michael Mangano,
Principal Deputy Inspector General.
    Approved: December 21, 1998.
Donna E. Shalala,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-34350 Filed 12-29-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-04-M