[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 200 (Monday, October 16, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61112-61113]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-26489]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration

42 CFR Parts 413, 489, and 498

[HCFA-1155-N]


Medicare Program; Open Town Hall Meeting to Discuss 
Implementation of Provider-Based Regulations; October 31, 2000

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

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces a town hall meeting for all interested 
parties to discuss specific issues related to implementation of the 
provider-based status regulations published in a final rule on April 7, 
2000 (65 FR 18434). Those regulations established requirements for 
facilities or organizations seeking provider-based status under 
Medicare.

DATES: This meeting is scheduled for October 31, 2000, from 9 a.m. 
until 4:30 P.M., E.S.T.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the HCFA Central Office Main 
Auditorium, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Beverly Parker at 410-786-5320.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    On April 7, 2000, we published in the Federal Register (65 FR 
18434), a final rule with comment period entitled ``Prospective Payment 
System for Hospital Outpatient Services''. Among the regulatory 
provisions included were new Secs. 413.24(d)(6) and 413.65 and 
revisions to Secs. 489.24, 498.2, and 498.3. These regulations 
established requirements for facilities or organizations that seek 
provider-based status. The effective date of the provider-based 
regulations, as stated in the April 2000 rule, was October 10, 2000. On 
October 3, 2000, we published a notice in the Federal Register (65 FR 
58919) that delayed the effective date of these provider-based 
regulations from

[[Page 61113]]

October 10, 2000 to the first day of each provider's first cost 
reporting period beginning on or after January 10, 2001. In addition, 
we made a conforming change in new Sec. 413.65(i)(2). In the October 3, 
2000 notice, we explained that a major purpose of the delay was to 
allow time for clarification of administrative, procedural, and 
technical issues relating to implementation of the regulations.
    We also stated our intent to host a town hall meeting to discuss 
specific aspects of the provider-based regulations. The subjects to be 
discussed will be the ways that a facility or organization can 
demonstrate that it serves the same patient population as the main 
provider (Sec. 413.65(d)(7)(i)), and the applicability of provisions on 
management contracts to certain on-campus hospital departments 
(Sec. 413.65(f)). We will also provide clarification of the 
administrative procedures that we will follow in making provider-based 
determinations. The purpose of the meeting is to solicit suggestions 
that will lead to more effective implementation of these regulations in 
their current form.

II. Format of Meeting

    Following introductory remarks, we will begin the meeting with a 
brief overview of the application process that we are developing and 
plan to have in place before January 10, 2001. This overview will 
describe the procedures we will follow in making provider-based 
determinations, and identify those types of facilities or organizations 
for which no determinations are needed, as described on page 18506 of 
the April 7, 2000 regulations. We will then hold two separate, 
consecutive sessions. The first session will concern the ways that a 
facility or organization can demonstrate that it serves the same 
patient population as the main provider (Sec. 413.65(d)(7)(i)). The 
second session will focus on the applicability of provisions on 
management contracts to certain on-campus hospital departments 
(Sec. 413.65(f)). Each session will include a specified amount of time 
for a limited number of public presentations by participants.

III. Registration

    Individuals may register to attend the meeting by contacting Ms. 
Sue Panchit, JW Associates, LLC, either by telephone at 301-495-9471, 
by mail, at 850 Sligo Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, by fax, at 
301-495-5989, or electronically at www.hcfa.gov, which includes a link 
to www.hcfa.gov/medlearn/event.htm. Please provide, as applicable, your 
name, title, firm name, address, telephone number, fax number, and 
electronic mailing address.
    Requests to attend the meeting should be submitted as soon as 
possible, but must be received by Ms. Sue Panchit no later than October 
24, 2000. We will notify persons who have been selected to attend. 
Participants who wish to make a presentation at the meeting are asked 
to contact Ms. Beverly Parker at 410-786-5320 or via E-mail at 
[email protected] as soon as possible. Requests to make a presentation 
must be received by Ms. Parker no later than October 17, 2000. Please 
identify the topic(s) for your presentation.
    Due to time constraints, we may need to limit the number of 
individuals who make presentations and the time allowed for each 
presentation. We will notify participants who have been selected to 
make a presentation. We will assign presentation times before the 
meeting. While the meeting is open to the public, attendance is limited 
to the space available. On a general note, JW Associates, LLC, will 
confirm receipt of registrations and notify individuals as to whether 
their registration has been accepted.
    We will accept written questions, comments, or other materials, 
before and during the meeting, or up to 3 days after the meeting. 
Address comments to: DHHS, HCFA, ATTN: Beverly Parker, Room C4-07-07, 
7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850, Telephone 
Number: (410) 786-5320, Fax Number: (410) 786-0169, E-mail: 
[email protected]. Although there is no special format for the 
materials, we request that commenters be clear about the issue or 
aspect of the proposed process on which they have a question, comment, 
or suggestion.

    Authority: Sections 1102 and 1871 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 1302 and 
1395hh).

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 98.773, 
Medicare-Hospital Insurance; and Program No. 93.774, Medicare-
Supplementary Medicare insurance Program)

    Dated: October 10, 2000.
Michael M. Hash,
Acting Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.
[FR Doc. 00-26489 Filed 10-13-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P