[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 57 (Friday, March 25, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 15265-15266]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-5917]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

42 CFR Parts 413, 441, 486 and 498

[CMS-3064-N]
RIN 0938-AK81


Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Conditions for Coverage for Organ 
Procurement Organizations (OPOs); Extension of Comment Period

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

ACTION: Notice of extension of comment period for proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: This notice extends the comment period for a proposed rule 
published in the Federal Register on February 4, 2005, (70 FR 6086). In 
that rule, we proposed to establish new conditions for coverage for 
organ procurement organizations (OPOs), including multiple new outcome 
and process performance measures based on donor potential and other 
related factors in each service area of qualified OPOs. We are 
proposing new standards with the goal of improving OPO performance and 
increasing organ donation. The comment period is extended for 60 days.

DATES: Effective Date: The comment period is extended to 5 p.m. on June 
6, 2005.

ADDRESSES: In commenting, please refer to file code CMS-3064-P. Because 
of staff and resource limitations, we cannot accept comments by 
facsimile (FAX) transmission.
    You may submit comments in one of three ways (no duplicates, 
please):
    1. Electronically. You may submit electronic comments on specific 
issues in this regulation to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/regulations/ecomments. (Attachments should be in Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, or 
Excel; however, we prefer Microsoft Word.)
    2. By mail. You may mail written comments (one original and two 
copies) to the following address ONLY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid 
Services, Department of Health and Human Services, Attention: CMS-3064-
P, P.O. Box 8015, Baltimore, MD 21244-8015.
    Please allow sufficient time for mailed comments to be received 
before the close of the comment period.
    3. By hand or courier. If you prefer, you may deliver (by hand or 
courier) your written comments (one original and two copies) before the 
close of the comment period to one of the following addresses. If you 
intend to deliver your comments to the Baltimore address, please call 
telephone number (410) 786-9994 in advance to schedule your arrival 
with one of our staff members. Room 445-G, Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 
200 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20201; or 7500 Security 
Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.
    (Because access to the interior of the HHH Building is not readily 
available to persons without Federal Government identification, 
commenters are encouraged to leave their comments in the CMS drop slots 
located in the main lobby of the building. A stamp-in clock is 
available for persons wishing to retain a proof of filing by stamping 
in and retaining an extra copy of the comments being filed.)
    Comments mailed to the addresses indicated as appropriate for hand 
or courier delivery may be delayed and received after the comment 
period.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marcia Newton, (410) 786-5265.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 4, 2005, we published a proposed 
rule in the Federal Register (70 FR 6086) that would establish new 
conditions for coverage for organ

[[Page 15266]]

procurement organizations (OPOs), including multiple new outcome and 
process performance measures based on donor potential and other related 
factors in each service area of qualified OPOs.
    The proposed rule includes comprehensive conditions for coverage 
for OPOs that would replace the OPO existing conditions for coverage. 
The proposed rule contains multiple new technical, structural, and 
performance requirements, including new procedures for re-certification 
of OPOs and new outcome performance measures based on organ donor 
potential. Due to the large number of proposed new requirements and the 
technical nature of the proposed outcome performance measures, we are 
extending the comment period to ensure sufficient time for the public 
to review and comment on the proposed requirements. Therefore, we are 
extending the public comment period for an additional 60 days, until 
June 6, 2005.

    Authority: Sections 1102, 1138, and 1871 of the Social Security 
Act (42 U.S.C. 1302, 1320b-g, and 1395hh) and section 371 of the 
Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 273).

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.778, Medical 
Assistance Program; No. 93.773 Medicare--Hospital Insurance Program; 
and No. 93.774, Medicare--Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)

    Dated: March 14, 2005.
Mark B. McClellan,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
    Approved: March 18, 2005.
Michael O. Leavitt,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 05-5917 Filed 3-24-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P