Medicare Program; Revisions to Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule for Calendar Year 2006; Corrections, 52056-52058 [05-17279]
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52056
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 169 / Thursday, September 1, 2005 / Proposed Rules
Risks. This rule is not an economically
significant rule and would not create an
environmental risk to health or risk to
safety that might disproportionately
affect children.
Indian Tribal Governments
This proposed rule does not have
tribal implications under Executive
Order 13175, Consultation and
Coordination with Indian Tribal
Governments, because it would not have
a substantial direct effect on one or
more Indian tribes, on the relationship
between the Federal Government and
Indian tribes, or on the distribution of
power and responsibilities between the
Federal Government and Indian tribes.
Energy Effects
We have analyzed this proposed rule
under Executive Order 13211, Actions
Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use. We have
determined that it is not a ‘‘significant
energy action’’ under that order because
it is not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’
under Executive Order 12866 and is not
likely to have a significant adverse effect
on the supply, distribution, or use of
energy. The Administrator of the Office
of Information and Regulatory Affairs
has not designated it as a significant
energy action. Therefore, it does not
require a Statement of Energy Effects
under Executive Order 13211.
Technical Standards
The National Technology Transfer
and Advancement Act (NTTAA) (15
U.S.C. 272 note) directs agencies to use
voluntary consensus standards in their
regulatory activities unless the agency
provides Congress, through the Office of
Management and Budget, with an
explanation of why using these
standards would be inconsistent with
applicable law or otherwise impractical.
Voluntary consensus standards are
technical standards (e.g., specifications
of materials, performance, design, or
operation; test methods; sampling
procedures; and related management
systems practices) that are developed or
adopted by voluntary consensus
standards bodies.
This proposed rule does not use
technical standards. Therefore, we did
not consider the use of voluntary
consensus standards.
Environment
We have analyzed this proposed rule
under Commandant Instruction
M16475.lD, which guides the Coast
Guard in complying with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321–4370f), and
VerDate Aug<18>2005
15:01 Aug 31, 2005
Jkt 205001
have made a preliminary determination
that there are no factors in this case that
would limit the use of a categorical
exclusion under section 2.B.2 of the
Instruction. Therefore, we believe that
this rule should be categorically
excluded, under figure 2–1, paragraph
(34)(h), of the Instruction, from further
environmental documentation.
Under figure 2–1, paragraph (34)(h),
of the Instruction, an ‘‘Environmental
Analysis Check List’’ is not required for
this rule. Comments on this section will
be considered before we make the final
decision on whether to categorically
exclude this rule from further
environmental review.
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 100
Marine safety, Navigation (water),
Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Waterways.
For the reasons discussed in the
preamble, the Coast Guard proposes to
amend 33 CFR part 100 as follows:
Coast Guard Patrol Commander, no
person or vessel may enter or remain in
the regulated area.
(2) The operator of any vessel in the
regulated area must:
(i) Stop the vessel immediately when
directed to do so by any official patrol.
(ii) Proceed as directed by any official
patrol.
(iii) Unless otherwise directed by the
official patrol, operate at a minimum
wake speed not to exceed six (6) knots.
(d) Enforcement period. This section
will be enforced annually from 10:30
a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the first Saturday
in November. In 2005 the section will be
enforced on the last Saturday in October
instead of the first Saturday in
November.
Dated: August 18, 2005.
L.L. Hereth,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander,
Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 05–17427 Filed 8–31–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–15–P
PART 100—SAFETY OF LIFE ON
NAVIGABLE WATERS
1. The authority citation for part 100
continues to read as follows:
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1233, Department of
Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.
2. Add § 100.534 to read as follows:
§ 100.534 Tug-of-War; Spa Creek,
Annapolis, Maryland.
(a) Regulated area. A regulated area is
established for the waters of Spa Creek
from shoreline to shoreline, extending
400 feet from either side of a rope
spanning Spa Creek from a position at
latitude 38°58′36.9″ N, longitude
076°29′03.8″ W on the Annapolis
shoreline to a position at latitude
38°58′26.4″ N, longitude 076°28′53.7″ W
on the Eastport shoreline. All
coordinates reference Datum NAD 1983.
(b) Definitions. (1) Coast Guard Patrol
Commander means a commissioned,
warrant, or petty officer of the Coast
Guard who has been designated by the
Commander, Coast Guard Sector
Baltimore.
(2) Official Patrol means any vessel
assigned or approved by Commander,
Coast Guard Sector Baltimore with a
commissioned, warrant, or petty officer
on board and displaying a Coast Guard
ensign.
(3) Participant means all vessels
participating in the ‘‘Tug of War’’ under
the auspices of the Marine Event Permit
issued to the event sponsor and
approved by Commander, Coast Guard
Sector Baltimore.
(c) Special local regulations. (1)
Except for event participants and
persons or vessels authorized by the
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services
42 CFR Parts 405, 410, 411, 413, 414,
and 426
[CMS–1502–CN]
RIN 0938–AN84
Medicare Program; Revisions to
Payment Policies Under the Physician
Fee Schedule for Calendar Year 2006;
Corrections
Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.
ACTION: Proposed rule; correction.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This document corrects errors
in the proposed rule that appeared in
the Federal Register on August 8, 2005
entitled ‘‘Medicare Program; Revisions
to Payment Policies Under the
Physician Fee Schedule for Calendar
Year 2006.’’
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Diane Milstead, (410) 786–3355.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
FR Doc. 05–15370, of August 8, 2005,
contains the proposed rule to update the
physician fee schedule for CY 2006 (70
FR 45764). We identified several errors
and are correcting them in the
‘‘Correction of Errors’’ section below.
E:\FR\FM\01SEP1.SGM
01SEP1
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 169 / Thursday, September 1, 2005 / Proposed Rules
II. Summary of Errors
On page 45769, in the first column,
under ‘‘Step 1—Calculation of the SMS
Cost Pool for Each Specialty’’ in the first
bullet, the last sentence inadvertently
included the word ‘‘seconds.’’
On page 45775, Table 14-PRACTICE
EXPENSE PER HOUR FIGURES
inadvertently included incorrect
practice expense per hour figures.
On page 45779, in the third column,
in the second bullet titled ‘‘Supply Item
for Percutaneous Vertebroplasty
Procedures (CPT Codes 22520 and
22525)’’, the second CPT code
referenced is incorrect. The reference to
CPT code 22525 at the end of the first
sentence should also be corrected.
On page 45784, in the middle column,
in the third complete paragraph, the
GAF for ‘‘Rest of California’’ was listed
incorrectly twice and in the fourth
sentence of this paragraph, ‘‘0.01
percent below’’ should read ‘‘equal to.’’
On page 45786, in the first column, in
the third complete paragraph, the last
set of CPT codes were listed incorrectly
in the last sentence of this paragraph,
‘‘93617 to 93641’’ should read ‘‘93618 to
93641.’’
On page 45791, in the third column,
in the second complete sentence the
references to $2.850 and $1.960 million
are incorrect.
On page 45792, the footnote to Table
22 should be deleted; the headings for
the second and third columns should be
corrected. Also, in the middle column of
page 45792, in the last paragraph, in the
fifth sentence, $3.107 and $2.137
million are incorrect.
On page 45855, in the first column, in
footnote 4, the Web site address should
be corrected.
On page 45864, in Table 33, ‘‘Impact
of Practice Expense, Malpractice RVUs,
Multiple Imaging Discount, and
Physician Fee Schedule Update on Total
Medicare Allowed Charges by
Physician, Practitioner and Supplier
Sub-category,’’ in the column labeled
‘‘Medicare allowed charges for 2004 ($
in millions),’’ incorrect figures were
listed for Hematology/Oncology,
Infectious Disease, and Rheumatology.
On page 45866, in the discussion
labeled ‘‘B. Geographic Practice Cost
Indices (GPCI) Payment Localities,’’ in
the first line of the third column, the
GAF for Rest of California was
incorrectly referenced as ‘‘1.011.’’
In Table 36, ‘‘Impacts on California
Payment Localities,’’ on page 45867, the
2006 Proposed MP GPCI was incorrectly
published as ‘‘0.717’’ for Santa Cruz,
Sonoma, and Rest of California.
On page 45872, in the middle column
in the regulation text under ‘‘§ 411.351
Definitions,’’ the second term defined is
listed incorrectly as ‘‘Radiation and
certain other imaging services.’’
On pages 45876 and 45877 in
Addendum B, we incorrectly indicated
that the practice expense RVUS reflect
the fully implemented practice expense
RVUs rather than the transitional PE
RVUs for 2006; therefore, in the third
column of page 45876 and the first
column of page 45877, items 6, 7, 9, and
10 need to be corrected. Also, we
incorrectly indicated in the third
column of page 45876 and the first
column on page 45877 that item 9
reflected ‘‘Facility’’ totals and item 10
reflected ‘‘Non-facility’’ totals.
In Addendum B, on pages 45937 and
45996, the incorrect practice expense
RVUs were listed for CPT code 58356
52057
(Endometrial cryoablation) and 96567
(photodynamic tx, skin), respectively. In
addition, on page 46004, in Addendum
B, we failed to include the PE RVUs for
two HCPCS codes, G0375 (Smoke/
Tobacco counseling 3–10) and G0376
(Smoke/Tobacco counseling >10).
On page 46007, in Addendum D,
‘‘2006 Georgraphic Practice Cost Indices
(GPCI) By Medicare Carrier and
Locality,’’ the MP GPCI for Santa Cruz,
Sonoma, and Rest of California was
listed incorrectly as ‘‘0.717.’’ In
Addendum E, ‘‘Proposed 2006
Geographic Adjustment Factors
(GAFs)’’, on page 46008, the 2006 GAF
for Santa Clara, CA was listed
incorrectly and should be corrected to
read ‘‘1.265.’’
II. Correction of Errors
A. Preamble Corrections
We are making the following
corrections to the August 8, 2005
proposed rule.
1. On page 45769, in the first column,
under ‘‘Step 1—Calculation of the SMS
Cost Pool for Each Specialty,’’ in the
first bullet, the last sentence
inadvertently included the word
‘‘seconds.’’ The sentence is corrected to
read as follows: ‘‘The PE/HR is divided
by 60 to obtain the PE per minute (PE/
MIN).’’
2. On Page 45775, Table 14—
PRACTICE EXPENSE PER HOUR
FIGURES inadvertently included
incorrect practice expense per hour
figures. The practice expenses per hour
figures are corrected as follows:
TABLE 14.—PRACTICE EXPENSE PER HOUR FIGURES
Clinical
staff
Specialty
Radiology .................................................
Cardiology ................................................
Radiation Oncology ..................................
Urology .....................................................
Dermatology .............................................
Allergy/Immunology ..................................
Gastroenterology ......................................
22.8
46.7
39.0
26.3
38.3
62.1
27.6
3. On page 45779, in the third
column, in the second bullet titled
‘‘Supply Item for Percutaneous
Vertebroplasty Procedure (CPT Codes
22520 and 22525)’’, the second CPT
code reference is incorrect. This code is
corrected to read ‘‘22521.’’ The
reference to CPT code 22525 at the end
of the first sentence is also corrected to
read ‘‘22521.’’
VerDate Aug<18>2005
15:01 Aug 31, 2005
Jkt 205001
Admin.
staff
29.7
41.8
20.4
39.9
48.5
53.1
36.2
Office
expense
Medical
supplies
18.8
41.3
31.1
50.7
74.3
62.1
44.3
4. On Page 45784, in the middle
column, in the fourth complete
paragraph, the reference to the GAF for
‘‘Rest of California’’ was listed
incorrectly. The fourth sentence is
corrected as follows: ‘‘The Rest of
California GAF would be 1.012, a value
equal to the 2005 Rest of California
GAF.’’ In addition, the last sentence of
this paragraph is corrected to read as
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Frm 00021
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
8.8
20.3
3.8
13.6
14.5
21.2
7.5
Medical
equipment
21.4
14.6
21.7
10.6
10.4
5.9
5.4
Other
35.2
19.6
22.0
22.1
26.6
29.3
12.2
Total
136.7
184.3
138.0
163.2
212.5
233.7
133.2
follows: ‘‘The proposed Rest of
California GAF of 1.012 fully reflects
incorporating the updated data.’’
5. On page 45786, in the first column,
in the third complete paragraph, the last
set of CPT codes listed in the last
sentence of this paragraph were
incorrect. The last sentence is corrected
as follows: ‘‘We agree with the RUC PLI
Workgroup recommendation and
E:\FR\FM\01SEP1.SGM
01SEP1
52058
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 169 / Thursday, September 1, 2005 / Proposed Rules
propose that the following CPT codes be
added to the existing list of codes under
the exception: 92975; 92980 to 92998;
and 93618 to 93641.’’
6. On page 45791, in the third
column, in the second complete
sentence the references to $2.850 and
$1.960 million are incorrect. This
sentence is corrected to read as follows:
‘‘For CY 2005, we estimate that total
spending, after the deduction of
payments for syringes, will reach $246
million for Epogen provided in hospitalbased facilities, and $2,850 million for
drugs provided in independent facilities
($1,960 million for Epogen and $890
million for other drugs).’’
7. On page 45792, make the following
corrections to Table 22: the footnote ‘‘*
Compared to the $10.00 statutory
price.’’ is removed as this footnote is
only pertinent to table 23; the heading
for the second column is corrected to
read ‘‘CY 2005 Estimated Drug
Payments as a Percentage of Top Ten
ESRD Drug Payments (percent),’’ and
the heading for the third column of the
table is corrected to read ‘‘CY 2002 OIG
Drug Payments as a Percentage of Top
Ten ESRD Drug Payments (percent).’’ In
the middle column of page 45792, in the
third complete paragraph, the fourth
sentence is corrected to read as follows
‘‘This procedure resulted in projected
expenditures of $268 million for Epogen
provided in hospital-based facilities and
$3,107 million for drugs provided in
independent facilities ($2,137 million
for Epogen and $970 million for other
drugs).’’
8. On page 45855, in the first column
in footnote 4, the last sentence of the
Web site address is corrected to read as
follows: https://search.ed.com/ed/
article?tocid=9062423.
9. On page 45864, in Table 33,
‘‘Impact of Practice Expense,
Malpractice RVUs, Multiple Imaging
Discount and Physician Fee Schedule
Update on Total Medicare Allowed
Charges by Physician, Practitioner and
Supplier Sub-category’’, in the column
labeled ‘‘Medicare allowed charges for
2004 ($ in millions),’’ incorrect figures
were listed for Hematology/Oncology,
Infectious Disease, and Rheumatology.
These figures are corrected as follows:
C. Addenda
1. On pages 45876 and 45877, in
Addendum B, we incorrectly indicated
that the practice expense RVUS reflect
the fully implemented PE RVUs rather
than the transitional PE RVUs for 2006.
We also incorrectly indicated in the
third column of page 45876 and the first
column of page 45877 that item 9
reflected ‘‘Facility’’ totals and item 10
reflected ‘‘Non-facility’’ totals.
Therefore, items 6, 7, 9, and 10 are
corrected to read as follows:
‘‘6. Non-facility practice expense
Hematology/Oncology .....................
2,041 RVUs. These are the transitional 2006
Infectious Disease ............................
491 resource-based practice expense RVUs
Rheumatology ..................................
462 for non-facility settings.’’
‘‘7. Facility practice expense RVUs.
10. On page 45866, in the discussion
These are the transitional 2006 resourcelabeled ‘‘B. Geographic Practice Cost
based practice expense RVUs for facility
Indices (GPCI) Payment Localities,’’ in
settings.’’
the first line of the third column, the
‘‘9. Non-facility total. This is the sum
GAF for Rest of California was
of the work, the transitional 2006 nonincorrectly referenced as ‘‘1.011.’’ This
facility practice expense, and
is corrected to read ‘‘1.012.’’
malpractice expense RVUs.’’
11. In Table 36, ‘‘Impacts on
‘‘10. Facility total. This is the sum of
California Payment Localities’’ on page
45867, the 2006 Proposed MP GPCI was the work, the transitional 2006 facility
practice expense, and malpractice
published as ‘‘0.717’’ for Santa Cruz,
expense RVUs.’’
Sonoma, and Rest of California. This
2. In Addendum B, on pages 45937
figure is corrected to read ‘‘0.733’’ for
and 45996, the incorrect PE RVUs were
these localities.
listed for CPT codes 58356 and 96567,
B. Regulations Text
respectively. In addition, on page 46004
On page 45872, in the middle column in Addendum B, we failed to include
the PE RVUs for two HCPCS codes,
in the regulation text under ‘‘§ 411.351
Definitions,’’ the second term defined is G0375 and G0376. The RVUs for these
codes are corrected as follows:
listed incorrectly as ‘‘Radiation and
CPT 1/
HCPCS 2
Mod
Status
Description
58356 .....
.......
A ..........
96567 .....
.......
A ..........
G0375 ....
.......
A ..........
G0376 ....
.......
A ..........
Endometrial
cryoablation.
Photodynamic tx,
skin.
Smoke/Tobacco
counseling 3–10.
Smoke/Tobacco
counseling >10.
1 CPT
certain other imaging services.’’ This is
corrected to read ‘‘Radiology and certain
other imaging services.’’
Malpractice
RVUs
Physician
work RVUs
Non-facility
PE RVUs
Facility PE
RVUs
Non-facility
total
Facility
total
6.37
56.84
2.60
0.82
64.03
9.79
010
0.00
2.29
NA
0.04
2.33
NA
XXX
0.24
0.09
0.09
0.01
0.34
0.34
XXX
0.48
0.18
0.17
0.01
0.67
0.66
XXX
Global
codes and descriptions only are copyright 2005 American Medical Association. All rights reserved. Applicable FARS/DFARS apply.
2005 American Dental Association. All rights reserved.
RVUs are not used for Medicare payment.
2 Copyright
3 +Indicates
3. On page 46007, in Addendum D,
‘‘2006 Geographic Practice Cost Indices
(GPCI) By Medicare Carrier and
Locality,’’ the MP GPCI for Santa Cruz,
Sonoma, and Rest of California was
listed incorrectly as ‘‘0.717.’’ This figure
is corrected to read ‘‘0.733’’ for these
localities.
4. In Addendum E, ‘‘Proposed 2006
Geographic Adjustment Factors
(GAFs)’’, on page 46008, the 2006 GAF
VerDate Aug<18>2005
15:01 Aug 31, 2005
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for Santa Clara, CA was listed
incorrectly and is corrected to read
‘‘1.265.’’
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
Program No. 93.774, Medicare—
Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)
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Dated: August 25, 2005.
Ann C. Agnew,
Executive Secretary to the Department.
[FR Doc. 05–17279 Filed 8–26–05; 9:46 am]
BILLING CODE 4120–01–P
E:\FR\FM\01SEP1.SGM
01SEP1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 169 (Thursday, September 1, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 52056-52058]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-17279]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
42 CFR Parts 405, 410, 411, 413, 414, and 426
[CMS-1502-CN]
RIN 0938-AN84
Medicare Program; Revisions to Payment Policies Under the
Physician Fee Schedule for Calendar Year 2006; Corrections
AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.
ACTION: Proposed rule; correction.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This document corrects errors in the proposed rule that
appeared in the Federal Register on August 8, 2005 entitled ``Medicare
Program; Revisions to Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule
for Calendar Year 2006.''
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diane Milstead, (410) 786-3355.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
FR Doc. 05-15370, of August 8, 2005, contains the proposed rule to
update the physician fee schedule for CY 2006 (70 FR 45764). We
identified several errors and are correcting them in the ``Correction
of Errors'' section below.
[[Page 52057]]
II. Summary of Errors
On page 45769, in the first column, under ``Step 1--Calculation of
the SMS Cost Pool for Each Specialty'' in the first bullet, the last
sentence inadvertently included the word ``seconds.''
On page 45775, Table 14-PRACTICE EXPENSE PER HOUR FIGURES
inadvertently included incorrect practice expense per hour figures.
On page 45779, in the third column, in the second bullet titled
``Supply Item for Percutaneous Vertebroplasty Procedures (CPT Codes
22520 and 22525)'', the second CPT code referenced is incorrect. The
reference to CPT code 22525 at the end of the first sentence should
also be corrected.
On page 45784, in the middle column, in the third complete
paragraph, the GAF for ``Rest of California'' was listed incorrectly
twice and in the fourth sentence of this paragraph, ``0.01 percent
below'' should read ``equal to.''
On page 45786, in the first column, in the third complete
paragraph, the last set of CPT codes were listed incorrectly in the
last sentence of this paragraph, ``93617 to 93641'' should read ``93618
to 93641.''
On page 45791, in the third column, in the second complete sentence
the references to $2.850 and $1.960 million are incorrect.
On page 45792, the footnote to Table 22 should be deleted; the
headings for the second and third columns should be corrected. Also, in
the middle column of page 45792, in the last paragraph, in the fifth
sentence, $3.107 and $2.137 million are incorrect.
On page 45855, in the first column, in footnote 4, the Web site
address should be corrected.
On page 45864, in Table 33, ``Impact of Practice Expense,
Malpractice RVUs, Multiple Imaging Discount, and Physician Fee Schedule
Update on Total Medicare Allowed Charges by Physician, Practitioner and
Supplier Sub-category,'' in the column labeled ``Medicare allowed
charges for 2004 ($ in millions),'' incorrect figures were listed for
Hematology/Oncology, Infectious Disease, and Rheumatology.
On page 45866, in the discussion labeled ``B. Geographic Practice
Cost Indices (GPCI) Payment Localities,'' in the first line of the
third column, the GAF for Rest of California was incorrectly referenced
as ``1.011.''
In Table 36, ``Impacts on California Payment Localities,'' on page
45867, the 2006 Proposed MP GPCI was incorrectly published as ``0.717''
for Santa Cruz, Sonoma, and Rest of California.
On page 45872, in the middle column in the regulation text under
``Sec. 411.351 Definitions,'' the second term defined is listed
incorrectly as ``Radiation and certain other imaging services.''
On pages 45876 and 45877 in Addendum B, we incorrectly indicated
that the practice expense RVUS reflect the fully implemented practice
expense RVUs rather than the transitional PE RVUs for 2006; therefore,
in the third column of page 45876 and the first column of page 45877,
items 6, 7, 9, and 10 need to be corrected. Also, we incorrectly
indicated in the third column of page 45876 and the first column on
page 45877 that item 9 reflected ``Facility'' totals and item 10
reflected ``Non-facility'' totals.
In Addendum B, on pages 45937 and 45996, the incorrect practice
expense RVUs were listed for CPT code 58356 (Endometrial cryoablation)
and 96567 (photodynamic tx, skin), respectively. In addition, on page
46004, in Addendum B, we failed to include the PE RVUs for two HCPCS
codes, G0375 (Smoke/Tobacco counseling 3-10) and G0376 (Smoke/Tobacco
counseling >10).
On page 46007, in Addendum D, ``2006 Georgraphic Practice Cost
Indices (GPCI) By Medicare Carrier and Locality,'' the MP GPCI for
Santa Cruz, Sonoma, and Rest of California was listed incorrectly as
``0.717.'' In Addendum E, ``Proposed 2006 Geographic Adjustment Factors
(GAFs)'', on page 46008, the 2006 GAF for Santa Clara, CA was listed
incorrectly and should be corrected to read ``1.265.''
II. Correction of Errors
A. Preamble Corrections
We are making the following corrections to the August 8, 2005
proposed rule.
1. On page 45769, in the first column, under ``Step 1--Calculation
of the SMS Cost Pool for Each Specialty,'' in the first bullet, the
last sentence inadvertently included the word ``seconds.'' The sentence
is corrected to read as follows: ``The PE/HR is divided by 60 to obtain
the PE per minute (PE/MIN).''
2. On Page 45775, Table 14--PRACTICE EXPENSE PER HOUR FIGURES
inadvertently included incorrect practice expense per hour figures. The
practice expenses per hour figures are corrected as follows:
Table 14.--Practice Expense Per Hour Figures
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clinical Admin. Office Medical Medical
Specialty staff staff expense supplies equipment Other Total
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Radiology.................................................... 22.8 29.7 18.8 8.8 21.4 35.2 136.7
Cardiology................................................... 46.7 41.8 41.3 20.3 14.6 19.6 184.3
Radiation Oncology........................................... 39.0 20.4 31.1 3.8 21.7 22.0 138.0
Urology...................................................... 26.3 39.9 50.7 13.6 10.6 22.1 163.2
Dermatology.................................................. 38.3 48.5 74.3 14.5 10.4 26.6 212.5
Allergy/Immunology........................................... 62.1 53.1 62.1 21.2 5.9 29.3 233.7
Gastroenterology............................................. 27.6 36.2 44.3 7.5 5.4 12.2 133.2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. On page 45779, in the third column, in the second bullet titled
``Supply Item for Percutaneous Vertebroplasty Procedure (CPT Codes
22520 and 22525)'', the second CPT code reference is incorrect. This
code is corrected to read ``22521.'' The reference to CPT code 22525 at
the end of the first sentence is also corrected to read ``22521.''
4. On Page 45784, in the middle column, in the fourth complete
paragraph, the reference to the GAF for ``Rest of California'' was
listed incorrectly. The fourth sentence is corrected as follows: ``The
Rest of California GAF would be 1.012, a value equal to the 2005 Rest
of California GAF.'' In addition, the last sentence of this paragraph
is corrected to read as follows: ``The proposed Rest of California GAF
of 1.012 fully reflects incorporating the updated data.''
5. On page 45786, in the first column, in the third complete
paragraph, the last set of CPT codes listed in the last sentence of
this paragraph were incorrect. The last sentence is corrected as
follows: ``We agree with the RUC PLI Workgroup recommendation and
[[Page 52058]]
propose that the following CPT codes be added to the existing list of
codes under the exception: 92975; 92980 to 92998; and 93618 to 93641.''
6. On page 45791, in the third column, in the second complete
sentence the references to $2.850 and $1.960 million are incorrect.
This sentence is corrected to read as follows: ``For CY 2005, we
estimate that total spending, after the deduction of payments for
syringes, will reach $246 million for Epogen provided in hospital-based
facilities, and $2,850 million for drugs provided in independent
facilities ($1,960 million for Epogen and $890 million for other
drugs).''
7. On page 45792, make the following corrections to Table 22: the
footnote ``* Compared to the $10.00 statutory price.'' is removed as
this footnote is only pertinent to table 23; the heading for the second
column is corrected to read ``CY 2005 Estimated Drug Payments as a
Percentage of Top Ten ESRD Drug Payments (percent),'' and the heading
for the third column of the table is corrected to read ``CY 2002 OIG
Drug Payments as a Percentage of Top Ten ESRD Drug Payments
(percent).'' In the middle column of page 45792, in the third complete
paragraph, the fourth sentence is corrected to read as follows ``This
procedure resulted in projected expenditures of $268 million for Epogen
provided in hospital-based facilities and $3,107 million for drugs
provided in independent facilities ($2,137 million for Epogen and $970
million for other drugs).''
8. On page 45855, in the first column in footnote 4, the last
sentence of the Web site address is corrected to read as follows:
https://search.ed.com/ed/article?tocid=9062423.
9. On page 45864, in Table 33, ``Impact of Practice Expense,
Malpractice RVUs, Multiple Imaging Discount and Physician Fee Schedule
Update on Total Medicare Allowed Charges by Physician, Practitioner and
Supplier Sub-category'', in the column labeled ``Medicare allowed
charges for 2004 ($ in millions),'' incorrect figures were listed for
Hematology/Oncology, Infectious Disease, and Rheumatology. These
figures are corrected as follows:
Hematology/Oncology............................................ 2,041
Infectious Disease............................................. 491
Rheumatology................................................... 462
10. On page 45866, in the discussion labeled ``B. Geographic
Practice Cost Indices (GPCI) Payment Localities,'' in the first line of
the third column, the GAF for Rest of California was incorrectly
referenced as ``1.011.'' This is corrected to read ``1.012.''
11. In Table 36, ``Impacts on California Payment Localities'' on
page 45867, the 2006 Proposed MP GPCI was published as ``0.717'' for
Santa Cruz, Sonoma, and Rest of California. This figure is corrected to
read ``0.733'' for these localities.
B. Regulations Text
On page 45872, in the middle column in the regulation text under
``Sec. 411.351 Definitions,'' the second term defined is listed
incorrectly as ``Radiation and certain other imaging services.'' This
is corrected to read ``Radiology and certain other imaging services.''
C. Addenda
1. On pages 45876 and 45877, in Addendum B, we incorrectly
indicated that the practice expense RVUS reflect the fully implemented
PE RVUs rather than the transitional PE RVUs for 2006. We also
incorrectly indicated in the third column of page 45876 and the first
column of page 45877 that item 9 reflected ``Facility'' totals and item
10 reflected ``Non-facility'' totals. Therefore, items 6, 7, 9, and 10
are corrected to read as follows:
``6. Non-facility practice expense RVUs. These are the transitional
2006 resource-based practice expense RVUs for non-facility settings.''
``7. Facility practice expense RVUs. These are the transitional
2006 resource-based practice expense RVUs for facility settings.''
``9. Non-facility total. This is the sum of the work, the
transitional 2006 non-facility practice expense, and malpractice
expense RVUs.''
``10. Facility total. This is the sum of the work, the transitional
2006 facility practice expense, and malpractice expense RVUs.''
2. In Addendum B, on pages 45937 and 45996, the incorrect PE RVUs
were listed for CPT codes 58356 and 96567, respectively. In addition,
on page 46004 in Addendum B, we failed to include the PE RVUs for two
HCPCS codes, G0375 and G0376. The RVUs for these codes are corrected as
follows:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non- Non-
CPT \1\/ HCPCS \2\ Mod Status Description Physician facility Facility Malpractice facility Facility Global
work RVUs PE RVUs PE RVUs RVUs total total
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
58356.............. ... A................ Endometrial 6.37 56.84 2.60 0.82 64.03 9.79 010
cryoablation.
96567.............. ... A................ Photodynamic tx, skin. 0.00 2.29 NA 0.04 2.33 NA XXX
G0375.............. ... A................ Smoke/Tobacco 0.24 0.09 0.09 0.01 0.34 0.34 XXX
counseling 3-10.
G0376.............. ... A................ Smoke/Tobacco 0.48 0.18 0.17 0.01 0.67 0.66 XXX
counseling >10.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ CPT codes and descriptions only are copyright 2005 American Medical Association. All rights reserved. Applicable FARS/DFARS apply.
\2\ Copyright 2005 American Dental Association. All rights reserved.
\3\ +Indicates RVUs are not used for Medicare payment.
3. On page 46007, in Addendum D, ``2006 Geographic Practice Cost
Indices (GPCI) By Medicare Carrier and Locality,'' the MP GPCI for
Santa Cruz, Sonoma, and Rest of California was listed incorrectly as
``0.717.'' This figure is corrected to read ``0.733'' for these
localities.
4. In Addendum E, ``Proposed 2006 Geographic Adjustment Factors
(GAFs)'', on page 46008, the 2006 GAF for Santa Clara, CA was listed
incorrectly and is corrected to read ``1.265.''
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.774,
Medicare--Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)
Dated: August 25, 2005.
Ann C. Agnew,
Executive Secretary to the Department.
[FR Doc. 05-17279 Filed 8-26-05; 9:46 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P
