[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 17 (Friday, January 26, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3856-3857]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-1111]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-15357-CN2]
RIN 0938-AO26


Medicare Program; Hospice Wage Index for Fiscal Year 2007; 
Correction

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

ACTION: Correction notice.

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SUMMARY: This document corrects a technical error that appeared in the

[[Page 3857]]

wage index table in the September 1, 2006 Federal Register, entitled 
``Hospice Wage Index for Fiscal Year 2007.''

DATES: Effective Date: This correction notice is effective October 1, 
2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Terri Deutsch, (410) 786-9462.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    In FR Doc. 06-7293, of September 1, 2006 (71 FR 52080) entitled, 
``Hospice Wage Index for Fiscal Year 2007,'' there were errors that we 
identified and corrected in a correction notice published October 3, 
2006 (71 FR 58415). Based on further review of the September 1, 2006 
notice, we are correcting an additional typographical error in section 
I.B of this notice. Accordingly, the correction is effective 
retroactive to October 1, 2006, the effective date of the September 1, 
2006 notice.

A. Summary of Errors

    In the September 1, 2006 notice, on page 52102, we published an 
Addendum that list the updated urban and rural wage index values for 
hospices utilizing the Core-Based Statistical Areas (CBSA) 
designations. To ensure that hospice providers were able to identify 
their current wage index, the table contains the CBSA codes, CBSA 
county name, and CBSA wage index. However, we made a typographical 
error when we entered the wage index value for Kalamazoo-Portage, MI.
    This correction notice is consistent with the published hospice 
wage index values used to make payment as of October 1, 2006. In 
section I.B. of this notice, we are correcting this error.

B. Correction of Error

    In the September 1, 2006, Federal Register notice (71 FR 52080) on 
page 52102, in the third column, in line 5, for CBSA code 28020, the 
wage index value ``1.0140'' is corrected to read ``1.1040.''

C. Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking and Delay in Effective Date

    We ordinarily publish a notice of proposed rulemaking in the 
Federal Register to provide a period for public comment before the 
provisions of a rule take effect in accordance with section 553(b) of 
the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. section 553(b)). 
However, we can waive this notice and comment procedure if the 
Secretary finds that the notice and comment process is impracticable, 
unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest, and incorporates a 
statement of the finding and the reasons therefore in the notice.
    The revision contained in this document merely corrects a 
typographical error in the addendum for Table A. This correction is 
necessary to ensure that the notice accurately reflects the correct 
hospice wage index value. Since it is not substantive, but merely 
technical, we find that public comments on this revision are 
unnecessary. Therefore, we find good cause to waive notice and comment 
procedures.
    In addition, the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) normally 
requires a 30-day delay in the effective date of a notice. Since this 
notice simply corrects a technical error to a notice that has 
previously gone through notice-and-comment rulemaking, we believe good 
cause also exists under the APA to waive the 30-day delay in the 
effective date and that a delay in the correction's effective date is 
also unnecessary.

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

    Dated: January 18, 2007.
Ashley Files Flory,
Deputy Executive Secretary to the Department.
 [FR Doc. E7-1111 Filed 1-25-07; 8:45 am]
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