[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 80 (Friday, April 25, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 20349]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-10160]



[[Page 20349]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

42 CFR Parts 422 and 489

[CMS-4024-CN]
RIN 0938-AK48


Medicare Program; Improvements to the Medicare+Choice Appeal and 
Grievance Procedures; Correction

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

ACTION: Correction of final rule with comment period.

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SUMMARY: This document corrects technical errors that appeared in the 
final rule with comment period published in the Federal Register on 
April 4, 2003, entitled ``Medicare Program; Improvements to the 
Medicare+Choice Appeal and Grievance Procedures.''

EFFECTIVE DATE: This correction notice is effective May 5, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anthony Culotta, (410) 786-4661.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    In FR Doc. 03-8204 of April 4, 2003 (68 FR 16652-16669), there were 
a number of technical errors that are identified and corrected in the 
Correction of Errors section below. The provisions in this correction 
notice are effective as if they had been included in the document 
published April 4, 2003. Accordingly, the corrections are effective May 
5, 2003.
    The corrections clarify the effective date of several provisions of 
the final rule, and delete the reference to a provision mistakenly 
cited in the preamble. Further detail regarding these corrections is 
provided in the Correction of Errors section.

II. Correction of Errors

    In FR Doc. 03-8204 of April 4, 2003 (68 FR 16652-16669), we make 
the following corrections:
    1. On page 16652, in the first column; in the second paragraph, we 
revise the DATES section to read: Effective date: This final rule with 
comment period is effective May 5, 2003. However, new information 
collection requirements associated with the notices described in Sec.  
422.620, Sec.  422.624, and Sec.  422.626 are subject to the Paperwork 
Reduction Act (PRA) and thus will not take effect until approval is 
obtained from the Office of Management and Budget. We will publish the 
effective dates of these new requirements in the Federal Register after 
these notices have been approved through the PRA process.
    2. On page 16662, in the third column; in the section entitled, IV. 
Provisions of This Final Rule with Comment Period, in the second 
paragraph, we are deleting the bulleted entry that reads--New Sec.  
422.502(i)(3)(iv) specifies that M+C organization contracts with 
providers and other related entities entered into after (the effective 
date of this rule) must contain a provision specifying that these 
entities will comply with the applicable notice and appeal provisions 
in Sec. Sec.  422.620, 422.624, and 422.626.

III. Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking

    We ordinarily publish a notice of proposed rulemaking in the 
Federal Register to provide a period for public comment before the 
provisions of a notice take effect. We can waive this procedure, 
however, if we find good cause that notice and comment procedure is 
impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest and 
incorporate a statement of the finding and the reasons for it into the 
notice issued.
    We find it unnecessary to undertake notice and comment rulemaking 
because this notice merely provides technical corrections to the 
regulations. Therefore, we find good cause to waive notice and comment 
procedures.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.773, 
Medicare--Hospital Insurance; and Program No. 93.774, Medicare--
Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)

    Dated: April 18, 2003.
Ann Agnew,
Executive Secretary to the Department.
[FR Doc. 03-10160 Filed 4-24-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P