Medicare Program; Rural Hospice Demonstration, 17697-17698 [05-6861]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 66 / Thursday, April 7, 2005 / Notices The following additional requirements apply to this project: • AR–7 Executive Order 12372. • AR–10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements. • AR–11 Healthy People 2010. • AR–12 Lobbying Restrictions. • AR–13 Prohibition on Use of CDC Funds for Certain Gun Control Activities. • AR–14 Accounting System Requirements. • AR–15 Proof of Non-Profit Status. • AR–20 Conference Support. • AR–23 States and Faith-Based Organizations. • AR–25 Release and Sharing of Data. Additional information on these requirements can be found on the CDC Web site at the following Internet address: https://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/ funding/ARs.htm. VI.3. Reporting Requirements You must provide CDC with an original, plus two hard copies of the following reports: 1. Interim progress report, due no less than 90 days before the end of the budget period. The progress report will serve as your non-competing continuation application, and must contain the following elements: a. Current Budget Period Activities Objectives. b. Current Budget Period Financial Progress. c. New Budget Period Program Proposed Activity Objectives. d. Budget. e. Measures of Effectiveness. f. Additional Requested Information. 2. Financial status report no more than 90 days after the end of the budget period. 3. Final financial and performance reports, no more than 90 days after the end of the project period. These reports must be mailed to the Grants Management or Contract Specialist listed in the ‘‘Agency Contacts’’ section of this announcement. VII. Agency Contacts We encourage inquiries concerning this announcement. For general questions, contact: Technical Information Management Section, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341, Telephone: 770–488–2700. For program technical assistance, contact: Montrece M. Ransom, JD, Project Officer, Public Health Law Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, NE., Mail-stop K–36, Atlanta, GA 30341, lephone: 770–488–8286, E-mail: mransom@cdc.gov. VerDate jul<14>2003 18:22 Apr 06, 2005 Jkt 205001 For financial, grants management, or budget assistance, contact: Mattie B. Jackson, Grants Management Specialist, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341, Telephone: 770–488–2696, E-mail: mij3@cdc.gov. VIII. Other Information This and other CDC funding opportunity announcements can be found on the CDC Web site, Internet address: www.cdc.gov. Click on ‘‘Funding’’ then ‘‘Grants and Cooperative Agreements.’’ Please visit our Web site at: https:// www.phppo.cdc.gov/od/phlp/index.asp. Dated: March 31, 2005. William P. Nichols, Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. [FR Doc. 05–6901 Filed 4–6–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4163–18–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Oak Ridge Y–12 Plant Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Department of Health and Human Services gives notice of a decision to evaluate a petition to designate a class of employees at the Y– 12 Plant, also known as the Oak Ridge Y–12 Plant, in Oak Ridge, Tennessee to be included in the Special Exposure Cohort under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 (42 CFR 83.12 (e)). The initial proposed definition for the class being evaluated, subject to revision as warranted by the evaluation, is as follows: Facility: Y–12 Plant, Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Locations: Building 9201–5 and the Beta Building at Y–12. Job Titles and/or Job Duties: All Control Operators. Period of Employment: January 1944 through December 1945. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Larry Elliott, Director, Office of Compensation Analysis and Support, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 4676 Columbia Parkway, MS C–46, Cincinnati, OH 45226, Telephone 513–533–6800 (this is not a toll-free number). Information requests can also be submitted by e-mail to OCAS@CDC.GOV. PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 17697 Dated: March 30, 2005. James D. Seligman, Associate Director for Program Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. [FR Doc. 05–6900 Filed 4–6–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4163–19–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services [CMS–5029–N] Medicare Program; Rural Hospice Demonstration Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This notice provides interested parties with the information necessary to apply for participation in the rural hospice demonstration. The demonstration is designed to test whether hospice services provided by a demonstration hospice program to Medicare beneficiaries who lack an appropriate caregiver and who reside in rural areas results in wider access, improved hospice services, benefits to the rural community, and a sustainable pattern of care. A competitive application process will be used to select up to three hospice organizations or agencies to participate in this demonstration. The demonstration is planned for up to 5 years. DATES: Applications will be considered timely if we receive them on or before June 6, 2005. ADDRESSES: Mail applications to— Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Attention: Cindy Massuda, Mail Stop: C4–17–27, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244. Because of staff and resource limitations, we cannot accept applications by facsimile (FAX) transmission or by e-mail. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cindy Massuda at (410) 786–0652 or RURALHOSPICEDEMO@cms.hhs.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background A. Legislative Authority Section 409 of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) (Pub. L. 108–173) authorizes the Secretary to conduct a demonstration project for the delivery of hospice care to Medicare beneficiaries in rural areas. Under the demonstration, Medicare beneficiaries who are unable to receive hospice care E:\FR\FM\07APN1.SGM 07APN1 17698 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 66 / Thursday, April 7, 2005 / Notices at home for lack of an appropriate caregiver are provided care in a facility of 20 or fewer beds that offers, within its walls, the full range of services provided by hospice programs under section 1861(dd) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(dd)). Under the demonstration project, the hospice program shall comply with otherwise applicable requirements, except that it shall not be required to offer services outside of the hospice facility or to meet the requirements of section 1861(dd)(2)(A)(iii) of the Social Security Act (SSA) regarding the 20percent cap on inpatient care days. The Secretary may require the hospice demonstration to comply with additional quality assurance standards for provision of services. Upon completion of the project, the Secretary shall submit a report to the Congress on the project including recommendations regarding extensions to hospice programs serving rural areas. B. The Rural Hospice Demonstration The demonstration will be offered to up to three hospice programs and will not exceed a period of 5 years. The demonstration is designed to test whether hospice services provided by a demonstration hospice program to Medicare beneficiaries who lack an appropriate caregiver and who reside in rural areas results in wider access, improved hospice services, benefits to the rural community, and a sustainable pattern of care. Hospice provides palliative care to individuals who have a terminal illness with a prognosis of 6 months or less. The care is provided typically in the individual’s home or place of residence with family members present. Individuals who lack family or someone to serve as the primary caregiver need proportionately more support from hospice staff. Due to long distances and difficult terrain, it can be particularly difficult to provide the Medicare hospice benefit efficiently in rural areas. There may be situations where the hospice benefit could be provided to beneficiaries who would not otherwise be able to receive these services if the location of hospice care is altered. This demonstration will allow a hospice with up to 20 beds to provide all levels of hospice services within its walls to individuals who reside in rural areas and lack an appropriate caregiver, while not having to provide services outside of the hospice facility or comply with the 20percent cap on inpatient care days. While the demonstration provider will not have to meet the limit on inpatient care days or provide care outside of the facility, it will not alter VerDate jul<14>2003 18:22 Apr 06, 2005 Jkt 205001 the level of care requirements for general inpatient care. In order to provide general inpatient care to hospice patients, a hospice participating in the demonstration must assure that the need for general inpatient care is met according to Medicare guidelines. The demonstration will test whether hospice services provided by a facility that does not meet the limit on inpatient care days or provide services outside of the facility for hospice individuals residing in rural areas who lack an appropriate caregiver results in wider access, improved hospice services, benefits to the rural community, and a sustainable pattern of care. The demonstration is designed for a demonstration hospice to provide the full range of services within its facility to Medicare beneficiaries who reside in rural areas and lack an appropriate caregiver. If a demonstration hospice provides care to any patient who either lives outside a rural area or has an appropriate caregiver, then the hospice must comply with all of Medicare hospice requirements at 1861(dd) of the SSA for these patients since they are not considered part of the demonstration. We plan to make up to three awards. Interested parties can obtain complete solicitation and supporting information on the CMS Web site at: https:// www.cms.hhs.gov/researchers/demos/ rmbh/default.asp. Paper copies can be obtained by writing to Cindy Massuda at the address listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice. II. Collection of Information Requirements Since CMS will receive less than 10 applications to this solicitation, the information collection requested reference in this solicitation are not subject to the PRA as stipulated under 5 CFR 1320.3(c). Authority: Section 409 of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) (Pub. L. 108–173). (Domestic Assistance No. 93.773 Medicare— Hospital insurance Program; and No. 93.774, Medicare-Supplementary Medical Insurance Program) Dated: March 10, 2005. Mark B. McClellan, Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. [FR Doc. 05–6861 Filed 4–1–05; 4:42 pm] BILLING CODE 4120–01–P PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Food and Drug Administration [Docket No. 2005N–0119] Preparation for the International Conference on Harmonization Meetings in Brussels, Belgium; Public Meeting AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS. ACTION: Notice of meeting. SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing a public meeting to provide information and receive comments on the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) in advance of its next next Steering Committee and Expert Working Group meetings in Brussels, Belgium, May 9 through 12, 2005. Scheduled for the ICH meetings is an Efficacy Brainstorming Session focusing on the review of the existing efficacy guidelines and their need for updating as well as potential new topics for consideration. To promote a fuller discussion of this topic the public meeting will be expanded to include public input on initiatives related to current ICH efficacy guidelines and consider needs for further information both within and between existing guidances. These initiatives include electronic source data, clinical development plan summaries, Health Level 7 structured product labeling, and other initiatives including information exchange standards (e.g., Electronic Common Technical Document (eCTD) and terminology standards). Date and Time: The meeting will be held on April 20, 2005, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Location: The meeting will be held at The DoubleTree Hotel and Executive Meeting Center, 1750 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD. A block of rooms for those wishing to attend the meeting have been set aside at the government rate. Please contact the hotel directly for your reservation: DoubleTree Hotel and Executive Meeting Center, 301–468– 1100, FAX: 301–468–0308. Contact Person: Sema Hashemi, Office of the Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, 301–827–3050, FAX: 301–480–0716, e-mail: Sema.Hashemi@fda.hhs.gov. Registration and Requests for Oral Presentations: Send registration information (including name, title, firm name, address, telephone, and FAX number), and written material and E:\FR\FM\07APN1.SGM 07APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 66 (Thursday, April 7, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17697-17698]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-6861]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-5029-N]


Medicare Program; Rural Hospice Demonstration

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

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice provides interested parties with the information 
necessary to apply for participation in the rural hospice 
demonstration. The demonstration is designed to test whether hospice 
services provided by a demonstration hospice program to Medicare 
beneficiaries who lack an appropriate caregiver and who reside in rural 
areas results in wider access, improved hospice services, benefits to 
the rural community, and a sustainable pattern of care. A competitive 
application process will be used to select up to three hospice 
organizations or agencies to participate in this demonstration. The 
demonstration is planned for up to 5 years.

DATES: Applications will be considered timely if we receive them on or 
before June 6, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Mail applications to--Centers for Medicare & Medicaid 
Services, Attention: Cindy Massuda, Mail Stop: C4-17-27, 7500 Security 
Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244.
    Because of staff and resource limitations, we cannot accept 
applications by facsimile (FAX) transmission or by e-mail.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cindy Massuda at (410) 786-0652 or 
RURALHOSPICEDEMO@cms.hhs.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

A. Legislative Authority

    Section 409 of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and 
Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) (Pub. L. 108-173) authorizes the 
Secretary to conduct a demonstration project for the delivery of 
hospice care to Medicare beneficiaries in rural areas. Under the 
demonstration, Medicare beneficiaries who are unable to receive hospice 
care

[[Page 17698]]

at home for lack of an appropriate caregiver are provided care in a 
facility of 20 or fewer beds that offers, within its walls, the full 
range of services provided by hospice programs under section 1861(dd) 
of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(dd)).
    Under the demonstration project, the hospice program shall comply 
with otherwise applicable requirements, except that it shall not be 
required to offer services outside of the hospice facility or to meet 
the requirements of section 1861(dd)(2)(A)(iii) of the Social Security 
Act (SSA) regarding the 20-percent cap on inpatient care days.
    The Secretary may require the hospice demonstration to comply with 
additional quality assurance standards for provision of services. Upon 
completion of the project, the Secretary shall submit a report to the 
Congress on the project including recommendations regarding extensions 
to hospice programs serving rural areas.

B. The Rural Hospice Demonstration

    The demonstration will be offered to up to three hospice programs 
and will not exceed a period of 5 years. The demonstration is designed 
to test whether hospice services provided by a demonstration hospice 
program to Medicare beneficiaries who lack an appropriate caregiver and 
who reside in rural areas results in wider access, improved hospice 
services, benefits to the rural community, and a sustainable pattern of 
care. Hospice provides palliative care to individuals who have a 
terminal illness with a prognosis of 6 months or less. The care is 
provided typically in the individual's home or place of residence with 
family members present. Individuals who lack family or someone to serve 
as the primary caregiver need proportionately more support from hospice 
staff. Due to long distances and difficult terrain, it can be 
particularly difficult to provide the Medicare hospice benefit 
efficiently in rural areas. There may be situations where the hospice 
benefit could be provided to beneficiaries who would not otherwise be 
able to receive these services if the location of hospice care is 
altered. This demonstration will allow a hospice with up to 20 beds to 
provide all levels of hospice services within its walls to individuals 
who reside in rural areas and lack an appropriate caregiver, while not 
having to provide services outside of the hospice facility or comply 
with the 20-percent cap on inpatient care days.
    While the demonstration provider will not have to meet the limit on 
inpatient care days or provide care outside of the facility, it will 
not alter the level of care requirements for general inpatient care. In 
order to provide general inpatient care to hospice patients, a hospice 
participating in the demonstration must assure that the need for 
general inpatient care is met according to Medicare guidelines. The 
demonstration will test whether hospice services provided by a facility 
that does not meet the limit on inpatient care days or provide services 
outside of the facility for hospice individuals residing in rural areas 
who lack an appropriate caregiver results in wider access, improved 
hospice services, benefits to the rural community, and a sustainable 
pattern of care.
    The demonstration is designed for a demonstration hospice to 
provide the full range of services within its facility to Medicare 
beneficiaries who reside in rural areas and lack an appropriate 
caregiver. If a demonstration hospice provides care to any patient who 
either lives outside a rural area or has an appropriate caregiver, then 
the hospice must comply with all of Medicare hospice requirements at 
1861(dd) of the SSA for these patients since they are not considered 
part of the demonstration.
    We plan to make up to three awards. Interested parties can obtain 
complete solicitation and supporting information on the CMS Web site 
at: https://www.cms.hhs.gov/researchers/demos/rmbh/default.asp. Paper 
copies can be obtained by writing to Cindy Massuda at the address 
listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.

II. Collection of Information Requirements

    Since CMS will receive less than 10 applications to this 
solicitation, the information collection requested reference in this 
solicitation are not subject to the PRA as stipulated under 5 CFR 
1320.3(c).

    Authority: Section 409 of the Medicare Prescription Drug, 
Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) (Pub. L. 108-173).

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

    Dated: March 10, 2005.
Mark B. McClellan,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 05-6861 Filed 4-1-05; 4:42 pm]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P

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