[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 248 (Friday, December 28, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67083-67094]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-28348]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

42 CFR Parts 416 and 419

[CMS-1695-CN2]
RIN 0938-AT30


Medicare Program: Changes to Hospital Outpatient Prospective 
Payment and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems and Quality 
Reporting Programs; Correction

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

ACTION: Final rule; correction.

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SUMMARY: This document corrects technical and typographical errors in 
the final rule with comment period that appeared in the November 21, 
2018 Federal Register titled ``Changes to Hospital Outpatient 
Prospective Payment and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems and 
Quality Reporting Programs.''

DATES: The corrections in this document are effective January 1, 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Marjorie Baldo via email 
[email protected] or at (410) 786-4617.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    In FR Doc. 2018-24243 of November 21, 2018 (83 FR 58818), there 
were a number of technical and typographical errors that are identified 
and corrected in the Correction of Errors section of this correcting 
document. The provisions in this correction document are effective as 
if they had been included in the document that appeared in the November 
21, 2018 Federal Register. Accordingly, the corrections are effective 
January 1, 2019.

II. Summary of Errors

A. Summary of Errors in the Preamble

1. Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) Corrections
    On page 58822, we are correcting the section ``Payment of Drugs, 
Biologicals, and Radiopharmaceuticals If Average Sales Price (ASP) Data 
Are Not Available'' to remove the language that suggests that drugs 
with pass-through status with partial quarter WAC-based pricing are not 
paid at WAC + 3, which is incorrect. This correction is necessary to 
conform the introductory language regarding OPPS payment policy for 
drugs, biologicals, and radiopharmaceuticals with WAC-based pricing 
with the policy adopted in the final rule to pay for these drugs, 
biologicals, and radiopharmaceuticals, including those with pass-
through status, at WAC + 3 percent.
    On page 58825, the headings for subsections ``c. Impact of the 
Changes to the Hospital OQR Program'' and ``d. Impact of the Changes to 
the ASCQR Program'' were alphabetically mislabeled and are corrected to 
be ``g. Impact of the Changes to the Hospital OQR Progam'' and ``h. 
Impact of the Changes to the ASCQR Program,'' respectively.
    On page 58833, Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) 
code P9072 (Platelets, pheresis, pathogen reduced or rapid bacterial 
tested, each unit) was cited in a comment in error. The correct HCPCS 
code is ``P9073'' not ``P9072''.
    On page 58834, we transposed two numbers in the Healthcare Common 
Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) code P9037 (Platelets, pheresis, 
leukocytes reduced, irradiated, each unit). The correct HCPCS code is 
``P9037'', not ``P9073''.
    On page 58880, in ``Table 12.--New Level II HCPCS Codes Effective 
April 1, 2018,'' we incorrectly stated that the Medicare Ambulatory 
Payment Classification (APC) assignment for HCPCS code C9749 (Repair 
nasal stenosis w/imp) is ``APC 5164,'' rather than ``APC 5165.'' The 
correct APC assignment for this code is APC 5165, which we finalized on 
page 58922.
    On page 58909, under section ``6. Endovascular Procedures (APCs 
5191 through 5194)'' of the ``OPPS APC-Specific Policies'' section, we 
inadvertently omitted a summary of a public comment and our response 
related to new calendar year (CY) 2019 Common Procedural Terminology 
(CPT) code 33274. Therefore, we are revising the discussion to include 
the comment and response.
    On pages 58894 to 58897, we occasionally stated the wrong APC 
assignment for procedure code C9734 (Focused ultrasound ablation/
therapeutic intervention, other than uterine leiomyomata, with magnetic 
resonance (mr) guidance) for CY 2018 and CY 2019. The correct APC 
assignment for procedure code C9734 is APC 5114 for CY 2018 and APC 
5115 for CY 2019.
    On page 58928 of the ``OPPS APC-Specific Policies'' section, we 
inadvertently omitted a summary of a public comment and response 
related to existing CPT code 47382 and new CY 2019 CPT code 95983. 
Therefore, we are adding a new subsection titled ``21.

[[Page 67084]]

Other Procedures/Services'' that includes this comment and response.
    On page 58954, in ``Table 37.--Drugs and Biologicals For Which 
Pass-through Payment Status Expires December 31, 2018,'' we included an 
incorrect Pass-Through Payment Effective Date for HCPCS code Q5101. The 
correct Pass-Through Payment Effective Date for HCPCS code Q5101 is 01/
01/2016, not 07/01/2015.
    On page 58958, in Table 38.--Drugs and Biologicals With Pass-
through Payment Status in CY 2019,'' we included an incorrect Pass-
Through Payment Effective Date for HCPCS code J7328. The correct Pass-
Through Payment Effective Date for HCPCS code J7328 is 04/01/2017, not 
01/01/16.
    On page 58969, we inadvertently stated, ``We also are finalizing 
our proposal to retain our established policy to assign new skin 
substitute products with pricing information to the low cost group.'' 
We are correcting the word ``with'' to read ``without'' to clarify that 
skin substitutes without pricing information are assigned to the low 
cost group, consistent with our established policy, which is described 
on page 58967.
2. Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Payment System Corrections
    The ASC payment system uses the same APC classification groupings 
as the OPPS; however, ASC payment indicators and OPPS status indicators 
are not compatible across the two payment systems. In our final rule 
ratesetting for CY 2019, we inadvertently carried over OPPS C-APC 
status indicators in our ASC ratesetting process. This error impacted 
the application of our multiple procedure discounting rules and the 
calculation of the ASC weight scalar, which led to the calculation of 
incorrect ASC payment rates. Accordingly, on page 59079, in our 
response to a comment regarding our process of applying a weight scalar 
in calculation of ASC payment rates, and on page 59169, we are 
correcting our weight scalar in ASC payment rate calculations of 
``0.8792'' to ``0.8800.''
    Additionally, on pages 59079, 59080 and 59169, we inadvertently 
excluded certain core-based statistical areas (CBSAs) and, therefore, 
incorrectly calculated the wage index budget neutrality factor that we 
applied to the 2018 ASC conversion factor. We previously calculated a 
wage index adjustment of 1.0004. We have recalculated the wage index 
adjustment taking into account the appropriate CBSAs, resulting in a 
corrected wage index adjustment of ``1.0000.''
    On pages 59080 and 59169, we are correcting the final CY 2019 
conversion factor of $46.551 for ASCs who meet quality reporting 
requirements and the final CY 2019 conversion factor of $45.639 for 
ASCs who do not meet quality reporting requirements. These conversion 
factors are incorrect because they utilize the incorrect wage index 
adjustment. The correct conversion factors, calculated utilizing the 
correct wage index adjustment, are ``$46.532'' and ``45.621'' for ASCs 
that meet quality reporting requirements and for ASCs that do not meet 
quality reporting requirements, respectively.
    On page 59170, we are correcting our estimate of the increase in 
aggregate payments for ancillary items and services of 79 percent for 
CY 2019. The correct percentage is 68 percent, which accounts for 
removing HCPCS code 0474T from our list of covered surgical procedures 
and, therefore, no longer includes any estimated 2019 spending from 
HCPCS code 0474T. Further, on page 59170 in ``Table 63.--Estimated 
Impact of the CY 2019 Update to the ASC Payment System on Aggregate CY 
2019 Medicare Program Payments by Surgical Specialty or Ancillary Items 
and Services Group'', we are correcting the figure in the third column, 
titled ``Estimated CY 2019 Percent Change'' for the Ancillary Items and 
Services Group to reflect the change from 79 percent to 68 percent.
    On page 59171, in ``Table 64.--Estimated Impact of the CY 2019 
Update to the ASC Payment System on Aggregate Payments for Selected 
Procedures'', we are correcting the figures in the fourth column of the 
table titled ``Estimated CY 2019 Percent Change'' to account for 
payment rates changes from the corrected ASC weight scalar and 
corrected ASC conversion factor.
3. Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting (OQR) Program Corrections
    On page 59088, first column, first full paragraph, the word 
``retaining'' is corrected to ``removing.'' We inadvertently included 
the wrong word.
    On page 59100 through 59102, the table footnoting for the Hospital 
OQR Program Measure Set for both the CY 2020 and CY 2021 Payment 
Determinations are corrected. Specifically, the footnote pertaining to 
OP-26 is removed from the un-numbered tables titled ``Hospital OQR 
Program Measure Set for the CY 2020 Payment Determination'' and 
``Hospital OQR Program Measure Set for the CY 2021 Payment 
Determination and Subsequent Years.'' The measure is no longer in the 
program beginning with the CY 2020 payment determination. In addition, 
for both tables, the National Quality Forum (NQF) status for OP-8: MRI 
Lumbar Spine for Low Back Pain and OP-33: External Beam Radiotherapy 
for Bone Metastases is updated to indicate that the NQF endorsement for 
these measures was removed. Furthermore, in both tables, we added an 
additional footnote to OP-31 to indicate ``Measure voluntarily 
collected as set forth in section XIII.D.3.b. of the CY 2015 OPPS/ASC 
final rule with comment period (79 FR 66946 through 66947).'' 
Subsequently, asterisks for the remaining footnotes are renumbered, as 
are the corresponding notations under the measure name in both tables. 
As a result of the renumbering, both tables are revised such that OP-
37a, OP-37b, OP-37c, OP-37d, and OP-37e correspond with the appropriate 
footnote reading ``Measure reporting delayed beginning with CY 2018 
reporting and for subsequent years as discussed in section XIII.B.5. of 
the CY 2018 OPPS/ASC final rule with comment period (82 FR 59432 
through 59433).''
4. Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting Program (ASCQR) 
Corrections
    On page 59117, second column, first paragraph, the word 
``retaining'' is corrected to ``removing.'' We inadvertently included 
the wrong word.
    On page 59129, first column, second paragraph, the language, 
``Furthermore, this is the only measure in the ASCQR Program measure 
set that deals with cataract surgery, which is commonly performed in 
the ASC setting. If it is removed, the program will have a gap in 
coverage for this clinical area. As a result, we now believe that 
meaningful information can be provided to consumers regarding those 
facilities'' is removed. This text pertains only to the Hospital OQR 
Program; it is factually inaccurate with respect to the ASCQR Program, 
since the ASC-14:Unplanned Anterior Vitrectomy measure also includes 
cataract surgery, and was erroneously included.

B. Summary of Errors in and Corrections to the OPPS and ASC Addenda 
Posted on the CMS Website

    We are summarizing below the errors we have corrected in the 
addenda available on the internet at http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/HospitalOutpatientPPS/index.html. The 
addenda that are available on the internet have been updated to reflect 
the revisions discussed in this correcting document.

[[Page 67085]]

1. Summary of Errors in and Corrections to the OPPS Addenda Posted on 
the CMS Website
    In Addendum B (Final OPPS Payment by HCPCS Code for CY 2019), we 
corrected the following:
     CPT code 0100T (Prosth retina receive&gen): APC revision 
from APC 1906 (New Technology--Level 51 ($130,001-$145,000)) to APC 
1908 (New Technology--Level 52 ($145,001-$160,000)). In the preamble 
text, CPT code 0100T had been assigned to APC 1908. This action ensures 
the information in Addendum B reflects the APC assignment that was 
finalized in the preamble.
     CPT code 0474T (Insj aqueous drg dev io rsvr): Status 
indicator revision from status indicator ``J1'' (Hospital Part B 
Services Paid Through a C-APC) to status indicator ``E1'' (Not Paid by 
Medicare) because the device associated with this procedure was 
withdrawn from marketing in September 2018 and the procedure is no 
longer separately payable under the OPPS.
     HCPCS code A6460: We made a typographical error in listing 
the HCPCS short descriptor. Specifically, we are correcting the short 
descriptor from ``Arg II ext com/sup/acc misc'' to ``Synthetic drsg <= 
16 sq in''.
     HCPCS code A6461: We made a typographical error in listing 
the HCPCS short descriptor. Specifically, we are correcting the short 
descriptor from ``Enzyme cartridge enteral nut'' to ``Synthetic drsg 
>16 <=48 sq in''.
     HCPCS code C9752 (Intraosseous des lumb/sacrum): We made a 
typographical error in listing the APC assignment. Specifically, we are 
correcting the APC assignment from APC 5155 (Level 5 Airway Endoscopy) 
to APC 5115 (Level 5 Musculoskeletal Procedures).
    In Addendum C (Final HCPCS Codes Payable Under the 2019 OPPS by 
APC), we corrected the following:
     APC 1906 (New Technology--Level 51 ($130,001-$145,000)): 
Deleted HCPCS code 0100T from the list We inadvertently listed the code 
in this APC when it should have been listed under APC 1908 (New 
Technology--Level 52 ($145,001-$160,000)), as correctly listed in the 
preamble and Addendum B of the CY 2019 OPPS/ASC final rule with comment 
period.
     APC 1908 (New Technology--Level 52 ($145,001-$160,000)): 
Added HCPCS code 0100T to the list.
     APC 5115 (Level 5 Musculoskeletal Procedures): We made a 
typographical error by assigning HCPCS code C9752 to APC 5155 (Level 5 
Airway Endoscopy) when it should have been assigned to APC 5115. 
Specifically, we are correcting the APC assignment for HCPCS code C9752 
to APC 5115.
     APC 5155 (Level 5 Airway Endoscopy): Removed HCPCS code 
C9752 from the list.
     APC 5492 (Level 2 Intraocular Procedures): Deleted CPT 
code 0474T from the list because the device associated with this 
procedure was withdrawn from marketing in September 2018 and the 
procedure is no longer separately payable under the OPPS.
    In Addendum P (Device-Intensive Procedures for CY 2019), we 
corrected the following errors in both tabs, 2019 FR Device Intensive 
List and 2019 FR HCPCS Offsets:
     CPT code 0100T: Revised the APC assignment from APC 1906 
to APC 1908 and the final payment rate. We inadvertently listed the 
code in APC 1906 when it should have been listed under APC 1908 (New 
Technology--Level 52 ($145,001-$160,000)), as correctly listed in 
Addendum B of the CY 2019 OPPS/ASC final rule.
     CPT code 0474T: Removed from the list because the device 
associated with this procedure was withdrawn from marketing in 
September 2018 and this procedure is no longer separately payable under 
the OPPS.
     HCPCS code C9752: Added to the list along with the 
associated status indicator, APC, final CY 2019 payment rate, device 
offset percentage, and device offset amount, because we inadvertently 
omitted this code from Addendum P. This code should have received 
device-intensive status based on the CY 2019 policy to apply device-
intensive status with a default device offset set at 31 percent for new 
HCPCS codes describing procedures requiring the implantation or 
insertion of a medical device that do not yet have associated claims 
data until claims data are available to establish the HCPCS code-level 
device offset for the procedures adopted in the final rule.
     HCPCS code C9754 (Perc av fistula, direct): Added to the 
list along with the associated status indicator, APC, final CY 2019 
payment rate, device offset percentage, and device offset amount, 
because we inadvertently omitted this code from Addendum P. This code 
should have received device-intensive status based on the CY 2019 
policy to apply device-intensive status with a default device offset 
set at 31 percent for new HCPCS codes describing procedures requiring 
the implantation or insertion of a medical device that do not yet have 
associated claims data until claims data are available to establish the 
HCPCS code-level device offset for the procedures adopted in the final 
rule.
     HCPCS code C9755 (Rf magnetic-guide av fistula): Added to 
the list along with the associated status indicator, APC, final CY 2019 
payment rate, device offset percentage, and device offset amount, 
because we inadvertently omitted this code from Addendum P. This code 
should have received device-intensive status based on the CY 2019 
policy to apply device-intensive status with a default device offset 
set at 31 percent for new HCPCS codes describing procedures requiring 
the implantation or insertion of a medical device that do not yet have 
associated claims data until claims data are available to establish the 
HCPCS code-level device offset for the procedures adopted in the final 
rule.
     In the tab titled ``2019 FR Device Intensive List,'' we 
inadvertently excluded CPT code 33285 (Insj subq car rhythm mntr) from 
the list. Therefore, we added this code along with the associated 
status indicator, APC, final CY 2019 payment rate, device offset 
percentage, and device offset amount to the list. This code should have 
received device-intensive status based on the device-intensive policy 
adopted in the final rule.
    In the tab titled ``2019 FR HCPCS Offsets,'' the first bullet of 
the header was corrected from ``*List of HCPCS codes payable under the 
OPPS that are designated as device-intensive procedures.'' to ``*List 
of all HCPCS codes payable under the OPPS that describe a clinical 
service including both those that are designated as device-intensive 
and those that are not designated as device intensive'' because this 
tab in Addendum P includes device offsets for all codes for which we 
have data.
    To view the corrected CY 2019 OPPS status indicators, APC 
assignments, relative weights, copayment rates, device-intensive 
status, and short descriptors for Addenda A, B, C, and P that resulted 
from these technical and typographical corrections, we refer readers to 
the Addenda and supporting files that are posted on the CMS website at: 
http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/HospitalOutpatientPPS/index.html. Select ``CMS-1695-CN2'' from the list 
of regulations. All corrected Addenda for this correcting document are 
contained in the zipped folder titled ``2019 OPPS Final Rule Addenda'' 
at the bottom of the page for CMS-1695-CN2.

[[Page 67086]]

2. Summary of Errors in and Corrections to the ASC Payment System 
Addenda Posted on the CMS Website
    In Addendum AA, we inadvertently mislabeled several CPT codes in 
the ``Subject to Multiple Procedure Discounting'' column. As discussed 
in section II.A.2 of this correction notice, we inadvertently carried 
over OPPS C-APC status indicators in our ASC ratesetting process. This 
error impacted the application of our multiple procedure discounting 
rules and the calculation of the ASC weight scalar, and ASC payment 
rates. Accordingly, we have updated Addenda AA to accurately reflect 
the list of CPT codes that are subject to multiple procedure 
discounting.
    As stated in the CY 2018 final rule with comment period (83 FR 
59409), ASC device intensive procedures are those with a HCPCS code-
level device offset percentage greater than the threshold when 
calculated according to the standard OPPS APC ratesetting methodology, 
among other criteria. In inputting OPPS APC rate data into the ASC 
payment system for the CY 2019 OPPS/ASC final rule, several procedures 
were inadvertently assigned incorrect payment indicators. Accordingly, 
we have reviewed the ASC payment system data for consistency with the 
OPPS APC rates and have corrected the payment indicators for the 
following procedures in Addendum AA:
     CPT Code 19298: Revised the payment indicator from ``J8'' 
to ``G2'' in addition to the payment weight and payment rate; this code 
had inadvertently been assigned the incorrect payment indicator in the 
final rule.
     CPT code 28435: Revised the payment indicator from ``J8'' 
to ``A2'' in addition to the payment weight and payment rate; this code 
had inadvertently been assigned the incorrect payment indicator in the 
final rule.
     CPT code 28446: Revised the payment indicator from ``J8'' 
to ``G2'' in addition to the payment weight and payment rate; this code 
had inadvertently been assigned the incorrect payment indicator in the 
final rule.
     CPT code 32550: Revised the payment indicator from ``J8'' 
to ``G2'' in addition to the payment weight and payment rate; this code 
had inadvertently been assigned the incorrect payment indicator in the 
final rule.
     CPT code 33210: Revised the payment indicator from ``J8'' 
to ``G2'' in addition to the payment weight and payment rate; this code 
had inadvertently been assigned the incorrect payment indicator in the 
final rule.
     CPT code 33226: Revised the payment indicator from ``J8'' 
to ``G2'' in addition to the payment weight and payment rate; this code 
had inadvertently been assigned the incorrect payment indicator in the 
final rule.
     CPT code 33274: Revised the payment indicator from ``G2'' 
to ``J8'' in addition to the payment weight and payment rate; this code 
had inadvertently been assigned the incorrect payment indicator in the 
final rule.
     CPT code 33285: Revised the payment indicator from ``G2'' 
to ``J8'' in addition to the payment weight and payment rate; this code 
had inadvertently been assigned the incorrect payment indicator in the 
final rule.
     CPT code 36560: Revised the payment indicator from ``J8'' 
to ``G2'' in addition to the payment weight and payment rate; this code 
had inadvertently been assigned the incorrect payment indicator in the 
final rule.
     CPT code 36563: Revised the payment indicator from ``J8'' 
to ``A2'' in addition to the payment weight and payment rate; this code 
had inadvertently been assigned the incorrect payment indicator in the 
final rule.
     CPT code 36578: Revised the payment indicator from ``J8'' 
to ``A2'' in addition to the payment weight and payment rate; this code 
had inadvertently been assigned the incorrect payment indicator in the 
final rule.
     CPT code 36583: Revised the payment indicator from ``J8'' 
to ``A2'' in addition to the payment weight and payment rate; this code 
had inadvertently been assigned the incorrect payment indicator in the 
final rule.
     CPT code 36904: Revised the payment indicator from ``J8'' 
to ``G2'' in addition to the payment weight and payment rate; this code 
had inadvertently been assigned the incorrect payment indicator in the 
final rule.
     CPT code 37211: Revised the payment indicator from ``J8'' 
to ``G2'' in addition to the payment weight and payment rate; this code 
had inadvertently been assigned the incorrect payment indicator in the 
final rule.
     CPT code 37212: Revised the payment indicator from ``J8'' 
to ``G2'' in addition to the payment weight and payment rate; this code 
had inadvertently been assigned the incorrect payment indicator in the 
final rule.
     CPT code 43274: Revised the payment indicator from ``J8'' 
to ``G2'' in addition to the payment weight and payment rate; this code 
had inadvertently been assigned the incorrect payment indicator in the 
final rule.
     CPT code 43276: Revised the payment indicator from ``J8'' 
to ``G2'' in addition to the payment weight and payment rate; this code 
had inadvertently been assigned the incorrect payment indicator in the 
final rule.
     CPT code 44384: Revised the payment indicator from ``J8'' 
to ``G2'' in addition to the payment weight and payment rate; this code 
had inadvertently been assigned the incorrect payment indicator in the 
final rule.
     CPT code 47554: Revised the payment indicator from ``J8'' 
to ``A2'' in addition to the payment weight and payment rate; this code 
had inadvertently been assigned the incorrect payment indicator in the 
final rule.
     CPT code 58356: Revised the payment indicator from ``J8'' 
to ``P3'' in addition to the payment weight and payment rate; this code 
had inadvertently been assigned the incorrect payment indicator in the 
final rule.
     CPT code 65125: Revised the payment indicator from ``J8'' 
to ``G2'' in addition to the payment weight and payment rate; this code 
had inadvertently been assigned the incorrect payment indicator in the 
final rule.
     HCPCS code C9752 (Intraosseous des lumb/sacrum): Revised 
the payment indicator from ``G2'' to ``J8'' in addition to the payment 
weight and payment rate; this code had inadvertently been assigned the 
incorrect payment indicator in the final rule.
     HCPCS code C9754 (Perc av fistula, direct): Revised the 
payment indicator from ``G2'' to ``J8'' in addition to the payment 
weight and payment rate; this code had inadvertently been assigned the 
incorrect payment indicator in the final rule.
     HCPCS code C9755 (RF magnetic-guide AV fistula): Revised 
the payment indicator from ``G2'' to ``J8'' in addition to the payment 
weight and payment rate; this code had inadvertently been assigned the 
incorrect payment indicator in the final rule.

[[Page 67087]]

    We also corrected the following in Addendum AA:
     CPT code 0100T: Updated the payment rate from $134,051.87 
to $141,780.75 to reflect the New Tech APC to which this code was 
assigned in the CY 2019 OPPS/ASC final rule with comment period.
     CPT code 0474T: Removed the code from the list because the 
device associated with this procedure was withdrawn from marketing in 
September 2018 and this procedure is no longer separately payable under 
the ASC payment system.
     CPT code 28540: Revised the payment indicator from ``P3'' 
to ``P2'' in addition to the payment rate; the revised OPPS-based 
payment rate for CPT code 28540 is less than the PFS-based payment rate 
and the corrected payment indicator reflects this fact.
     HCPCS code C9753 (Intraosseous destruct add'l): Added to 
Addendum AA with a payment indicator of ``N1''; this is a new code 
beginning January 1, 2019 and had inadvertently been left out of 
Addendum AA in the final rule.
    In Addendum BB, we corrected the following:
     CPT code 74485 (Dilation urtr/urt rs&i): Revised the 
payment indicator to ``N1''; this code had inadvertently been assigned 
no payment indicator in the final rule.
    To view the corrected final CY 2019 ASC payment indicators, payment 
weights, payment rates, and multiple procedure discounting indicator 
for Addenda AA and BB that resulted from these technical corrections, 
we refer readers to the Addenda and supporting files on the CMS website 
at: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/ASCPayment/ASC-Regulations-and-Notices.html. Select ``CMS-1695-CN2'' 
from the list of regulations. All corrected ASC addenda for this 
correcting document are contained in the zipped folder entitled 
``Addendum AA, BB, DD1, DD2, and EE'' at the bottom of the page for 
CMS-1695-CN2.

III. Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking

    Under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), 
the agency is required to publish a notice of the proposed rule in the 
Federal Register before the provisions of a rule take effect. 
Similarly, section 1871(b)(1) of the Act requires the Secretary to 
provide for notice of the proposed rule in the Federal Register and 
provide a period of not less than 60 days for public comment. In 
addition, section 553(d) of the APA, and section 1871(e)(1)(B)(i) of 
the Act mandate a 30-day delay in effective date after issuance or 
publication of a rule. Sections 553(b)(B) and 553(d)(3) of the APA 
provide for exceptions from the notice and comment and delay in 
effective date of the APA requirements; in cases in which these 
exceptions apply, sections 1871(b)(2)(C) and 1871(e)(1)(B)(ii) of the 
Act provide exceptions from the notice and 60-day comment period and 
delay in effective date requirements of the Act as well. Section 
553(b)(B) of the APA and section 1871(b)(2)(C) of the Act authorize an 
agency to dispense with normal rulemaking requirements for good cause 
if the agency makes a finding that the notice and comment process is 
impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest. In 
addition, both section 553(d)(3) of the APA and section 
1871(e)(1)(B)(ii) of the Act allow the agency to avoid the 30-day delay 
in effective date where such delay is contrary to the public interest 
and an agency includes a statement of support.
    We believe that this correcting document does not constitute a 
rulemaking that would be subject to the notice and comment or delayed 
effective date requirements. This correcting document corrects 
technical and typographical errors in the preamble, addenda, payment 
rates, and tables included or referenced in the CY 2019 OPPS/ASC final 
rule with comment period but does not make substantive changes to the 
policies or payment methodologies that were adopted in the final rule 
with comment period. The corrections made through this correcting 
document are intended to ensure that the information in the CY 2019 
OPPS/ASC final rule with comment period accurately reflects the 
policies adopted in that rule.
    In addition, even if this were a rule to which the notice and 
comment procedures and delayed effective date requirements applied, we 
find that there is good cause to waive such requirements. Undertaking 
further notice and comment procedures to incorporate the corrections in 
this document into the final rule with comment period or delaying the 
effective date would be contrary to the public interest because it is 
in the public's interest for providers to receive appropriate payments 
in as timely a manner as possible, and to ensure that the CY 2019 OPPS/
ASC final rule with comment period accurately reflects our 
methodologies and policies as of the date they take effect and are 
applicable.
    Furthermore, such procedures would be unnecessary, as we are not 
making substantive changes to our payment methodologies or policies, 
but rather, we are simply implementing correctly the methodologies and 
policies that we previously proposed, received comment on, and 
subsequently finalized. This correcting document is intended solely to 
ensure that the CY 2019 OPPS/ASC final rule with comment period 
accurately reflects these methodologies and policies. Therefore, we 
believe we have good cause to waive the notice and comment and 
effective date requirements.

IV. Correction of Errors

    In FR Doc. 2018-24243 of November 21, 2018 (83 FR 58818), make the 
following corrections:
    1. On page 58822, third column, second bullet point, in the section 
titled ``Payment of Drugs, Biologicals, and Radiopharmaceuticals If 
Average Sales Price (ASP) Data Are Not Available,'' in lines 3 through 
11, the sentence ``For CY 2019, we are making payment for separately 
payable drugs and biologicals that do not have pass-through payment 
status and are not acquired under the 340B Program at wholesale 
acquisition cost (WAC)+3 percent instead of WAC+6 percent if ASP data 
are not available'' is replaced with ``For CY 2019, we are making 
payment for separately payable drugs and biologicals that have partial 
quarter wholesale acquisition cost (WAC)-based pricing and are not 
acquired under the 340B Program at WAC+3 percent instead of WAC+6 
percent if ASP data are not available.''
    2. On page 58825, first column,
    a. The first section heading ``c. Impact of the Changes to the 
Hospital OQR Program'' is corrected to read ``g. Impact of the Changes 
to the Hospital OQR Program''.
    b. The second section heading ``d. Impact of the Changes to the 
ASCQR Program'' is corrected to read ``h. Impact of the Changes to the 
ASCQR Program''.
    3. On page 58833, last column, last partial paragraph, in line 8, 
the code ``P9072'' is corrected to read ``P9073''.
    4. On page 58834, first column, first partial paragraph, in lines 3 
and 7, the code ``P9073'' is corrected to read ``P9037''.
    5. On page 58880, Table 12.--New Level II HCPCS Codes Effective 
April 1, 2018, in the last row, last column, titled ``Final CY 2019 
APC'' for CY 2018 and CY 2019 HCPCS Code C9749, the figure ``5164'' is 
corrected to read ``5165''.
    6. On page 58894, first column, last paragraph, in the fourth line 
from the bottom of the paragraph, in the phrase ``In addition, we 
proposed to continue to assign the services described by HCPCS code 
C9734 . . .'', the words ``continue to'' are removed.

[[Page 67088]]

    7. On page 58895, last column, last paragraph, in line 13, the 
reference to ``APC 5114'' is corrected to read ``APC 5115''.
    8. On page 58897, in Table 17.--CY 2019 Status Indicator (SI), APC 
Assignment, and Payment Rate for the Magnetic Resonance Image Guided 
High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) Procedures, in the row for 
CPT/HCPCS Code C9734, in the column ``CY 2018 OPPS APC,'' the figure 
``5115'' is corrected to read ``5114''.
    9. On page 58909, third column, after the first full paragraph that 
ends with ``. . . at each level and clinical homogeneity.'' and before 
the following paragraph, which begins with ``Comment: Several 
commenters believed that the current structure . . . ,'' the following 
text is added:
    In addition, we received a comment related to CPT code 33274 
(Transcatheter insertion or replacement of permanent leadless 
pacemaker, right ventricular, including imaging guidance (for example, 
fluoroscopy, venous ultrasound, ventriculography, femoral venography) 
and device evaluation (for example, interrogation or programming), when 
performed). We note that in Addendum B to the CY 2019 OPPS/ASC proposed 
rule, we proposed to assign CPT code 33274 to APC 5194 (Level 4 
Endovascular Procedures), which is the same APC assignment as its 
predecessor code 0387T (Transcatheter insertion or replacement of 
permanent leadless pacemaker, ventricular), which was effective January 
1, 2015 and deleted on December 31, 2018. CPT code 33274 was listed as 
33X05 (the 5-digit CMS placeholder code) in Addendum B with the short 
descriptor and Addendum O with the long descriptor of the CY 2019 OPPS/
ASC proposed rule. We also assigned the code to comment indicator 
``NP'' in Addendum B to the proposed rule to indicate that the code is 
new for CY 2019 with a proposed APC assignment and that public comments 
would be accepted on the proposed APC assignment. We note that CPT code 
33274 will be effective January 1, 2019. Although the code is new for 
CY 2019, the service associated with CPT code 33274 was previously 
described by CPT codes 0387T, which will be deleted on December 31, 
2018.
    Comment: We received a comment to the CY 2019 OPPS/ASC proposed 
rule requesting the assignment of CPT code 33274 from APC 5194 (Level 4 
Endovascular Procedures) to APC 5224 (Level 4 Pacemaker and Similar 
Procedures).
    Response: We appreciate the suggestion, however, as noted above, 
CPT code 33274 is assigned to the same APC as its predecessor code 
0387T. Accordingly, we do not believe that a change in APC is warranted 
at this time.
    10. On page 58928, third column, after the first full paragraph 
ending with ``Addendum B is available via the internet on the CMS 
website.'' and before Table 35, the following section and text are 
added:
21. Other Procedures/Services
    For CY 2019, we proposed to continue to assign CPT code 47382 
(Ablation, 1 or more liver tumor(s), percutaneous, radiofrequency) to 
APC 5361.
    Comment: A commenter requested the reassignment of CPT code 47382 
from APC 5361 (Level 1 Laparoscopy and Related Services) to APC 5362 
(Level 2 Laparoscopy and Related Services).
    Response: Based on the latest hospital outpatient claims data used 
for this final rule with comment period, we disagree that CPT code 
47382 should be assigned to APC 5362 for CY 2019. Our analysis of the 
claims data show a geometric mean cost of approximately $6,063 for CPT 
code 47382, based on 2,220 single claims (out of 2,242 total claims), 
which is significantly less than the geometric mean cost of about 
$7,809 for APC 5362. We believe that APC 5361 is the most appropriate 
APC assignment for CPT code 47382 based on its clinical and resource 
homogeneity to the other procedures assigned to this APC.
    Therefore, after consideration of the public comment we received, 
we are finalizing our proposal, without modification, to assign CPT 
code 47382 to APC 5361 for CY 2019. The final CY 2019 payment rate for 
the code can be found in Addendum B to this final rule with comment 
period (which is available via the internet on the CMS website).
    In addition, for CY 2019, we proposed to assign CPT code 95983 
(Electronic analysis of implanted neurostimulator pulse generator/
transmitter (for example, contact group[s], interleaving, amplitude, 
pulse width, frequency [Hz], on/off cycling, burst, magnet mode, dose 
lockout, patient selectable parameters, responsive neurostimulation, 
detection algorithms, closed loop parameters, and passive parameters) 
by physician or other qualified health care professional; with brain 
neurostimulator pulse generator/transmitter programming, first 15 
minutes face-to-face time with physician or other qualified health care 
professional) to APC 5741 (Level 1 Electronic Analysis of Devices). We 
note that in Addendum B to the CY 2019 OPPS/ASC proposed rule, CPT code 
95983 was listed as 95X85 (the 5-digit CMS placeholder code) in 
Addendum B with the short descriptor and Addendum O with the long 
descriptor of the CY 2019 OPPS/ASC proposed rule. We also assigned the 
code to comment indicator ``NP'' in Addendum B to the proposed rule to 
indicate that the code is new for CY 2019 with a proposed APC 
assignment and that public comments would be accepted on the proposed 
APC assignment. We note that CPT code 95983 will be effective January 
1, 2019.
    Comment: A commenter requested the assignment of CPT code 95983 
from APC 5741 (Level 1 Electronic Analysis of Devices) to APC 5742 
(Level 2 Electronic Analysis of Devices).
    Response: Based on input from our medical advisors and our review 
of the procedure, we believe that CPT code 95983 is appropriately 
placed in APC 5741 since it shares similar characteristics as other 
electronic analysis services in the APC. Therefore, after consideration 
of the public comment we received, we are finalizing our proposal, 
without modification, to assign CPT code 95983 to APC 5741 for CY 2019. 
The final CY 2019 payment rate for the code can be found in Addendum B 
to this final rule with comment period (which is available via the 
internet on the CMS website).
    We will reevaluate the APC assignments for CPT code 47382 and 95983 
for the next rulemaking cycle. We remind hospitals that we review, on 
an annual basis, the APC assignments for all items and services paid 
under the OPPS.
    11. On page 58954, Table 37, last column, the Pass-Through Payment 
Effective Date for CY 2019 HCPCS code Q5101 that reads ``07/01/2015'' 
is corrected to read ``01/01/2016''.
    12. On page 58958, Table 38, last column, the Pass-Through Payment 
Effective Date for CY 2018 and CY 2019 HCPCS code J7328 that reads 
``01/01/2016'' is corrected to read ``04/01/2017''.
    13. On page 58969, second column, in line 3, the word ``with'' is 
corrected to read ``without''.
    14. On page 59079,
    a. Second column, last partial paragraph, in line 4, the figure 
``0.8792'' is corrected to read ``0.8800''.
    b. Third column, last partial paragraph, in line 4, the figure 
``1.0004'' is corrected to read ``1.0000''.
    15. On page 59080,
    a. First column, first partial paragraph,
    (1) In line 2, the figure ``$46.551'' is corrected to read 
``$46.532''.
    (2) In line 8, the figure ``1.0004'' is corrected to read 
``1.0000''.
    (3) In line 13, the figure ``$45.639'' is corrected to read 
``$45.621''.

[[Page 67089]]

    b. Second column, second full paragraph, in line 7, the figure 
``$46.551'' is corrected to read ``$46.532.''
    16. On page 59088, first column, first full paragraph, in line 12, 
the word ``retaining'' is corrected to read ``removing''.
    17. On pages 59100 and 59101, the un-numbered table--Hospital OQR 
Program Measure Set for the CY 2020 Payment Determination, and the 
footnotes for the table, are corrected to read as follows:

[[Page 67090]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR28DE18.015


[[Page 67091]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR28DE18.016

    18. On page 59102, the un-numbered table--Hospital OQR Program 
Measure Set for the 2021 Payment Determination and Subsequent years, 
and the footnotes for the table, are corrected to read as follows:

[[Page 67092]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR28DE18.017

    19. On page 59117, the word ``retaining'' is corrected to read 
``removing''.
    20. On page 59129, first column, first full paragraph,
    a. In lines 1 through 10, the following text is removed: 
``Furthermore, this is the only measure in the ASCQR Program measure 
set that deals with cataract surgery, which is commonly performed in 
the ASC setting. If it is removed, the program will have a gap in 
coverage for this clinical area. As a result, we now believe that 
meaningful information can be provided to consumers regarding those 
facilities.''
    b. In Lines 10 through 16, the following text is moved to the end 
of the previous paragraph: ``In addition, when this measure was made 
voluntary in the CY 2015 OPPS/ASC final rule with comment period (79 FR 
66984) commenters stated that the measure would promote and improve 
care coordination among providers.''
    21. On page 59169, first column,
    a. First full paragaraph, in line 10, the figure ``0.8792'' is 
corrected to read ``0.8800''.
    b. Last paragraph, in line 26, the figure ``1.0004'' is corrected 
to read ``1.0000''.

[[Page 67093]]

    c. Last paragraph, in the third line from the bottom, the figure 
``$46.555'' is corrected to read ``$46.532''.
    22. On page 59170,
    a. Third column, first partial paragraph, in line 5, the figure 
``79 percent'' is corrected to read ``68 percent''.
    b. In Table 63.--Estimated Impact of the CY 2019 Update to the ASC 
Payment System on Aggregate CY 2019 Medicare Program Payments by 
Surgical Speciality or Ancillary Items and Services Group, in the last 
row, third column, titled ``Estimated CY 2019 Percent Change'' for 
Ancillary items and services, the figure ``79'' is corrected to read 
``68''.
    23. On page 59171, Table 64.--Estimated Impact of the CY 2019 
Update to the ASC Payment System on Aggregate Payments for Selected 
Procedures, the fourth column, ``Estimated CY 2019 Percent Change,'' is 
corrected to read as follows:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR28DE18.018



[[Page 67094]]


    Dated: December 20, 2018.
Ann C. Agnew,
Executive Secretary to the Department, Department of Health and Human 
Services.
[FR Doc. 2018-28348 Filed 12-21-18; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 4120-01-P