[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 126 (Thursday, June 29, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 40112]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-16058]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration

[HCFA-1030-N]


Medicare Program; Medicare+Choice Deeming Authority

AGENCY: Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces that 30 days after the publication of 
the Medicare+Choice (M+C) final rule, we will begin to accept 
applications from private accrediting organizations who seek M+C 
deeming authority.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This notice is effective on July 31, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia Kurtz, (410) 786-4670.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Section 4001 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (BBA) (Pub. L. 105-
33), enacted on August 5, 1987, added section 1852(e)(4) to the Social 
Security Act (the Act), which gives us the authority to determine that 
a Medicare+Choice Organization (M+CO) is ``deemed'' to be in compliance 
with certain Medicare requirements if the M+CO has been accredited (and 
is periodically reaccredited) by an accrediting organization that we 
have determined applies and enforces requirements at least as stringent 
as those the M+CO would be deemed to meet. Section 518 of the Balance 
Budget Refinement Act of 1999 (BBRA) (Pub. L. 106-113), enacted on 
November 29, 1999, amended section 1852(e)(4) of the Act to expand the 
scope of deeming from two to six areas. Accrediting organizations may 
seek authority for any of the categories. The BBRA specified that we 
cannot require an accrediting entity to be able to certify plans for 
all the deeming categories. It also required us to determine, within 
210 days from the day the application is determined to be complete, the 
eligibilty of the accrediting organizations to be granted deeming 
authority. Conditions and procedures for granting deeming authority to 
accrediting organizations are outlined in Sec. 422.157 and Sec. 422.158 
of title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Applications

    This notice announces that 30 days after the publication of the M+C 
final rule, we will begin to accept applications from national private 
accrediting organizations who seek M+C deeming authority. To receive an 
application packet, please contact Patricia Kurtz at (410) 786-4670 or 
via e-mail at [email protected] or mail your inquires to: Patricia Kurtz, 
Health Care Financing Administration, Health Plan Administration Group, 
Room C4-24-04, 7500 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD. 21244.

    Authority: Section 1852(e)(4) of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 1395w-22(e)(4)) (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 
Program No. 93.773 Medicare--Hospital Insurance Program; and No. 
93.774, Medicare--Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)

    Dated: June 19, 2000.
Nancy-Ann Min DeParle,
Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.
[FR Doc. 00-16058 Filed 6-28-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P