Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System for Long-Term Care Hospitals RY 2008: Annual Payment Rate Updates, and Policy Changes; Corrections, 36613-36616 [07-3261]
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 128 / Thursday, July 5, 2007 / Rules and Regulations
neutrality, other adjustments, and
calculation of the payment rates).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Authority
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
Program No. 93.773, Medicare—Hospital
Insurance; and Program No. 93.774,
Medicare—Supplementary Medical
Insurance Program).
Dated: June 29, 2007.
Leslie V. Norwalk,
Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare
& Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 07–3260 Filed 6–29–07; 3:21 pm]
BILLING CODE 4120–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services
42 CFR Parts 412 and 413
[CMS–1529–CN]
RIN 0938–AO30
Medicare Program; Prospective
Payment System for Long-Term Care
Hospitals RY 2008: Annual Payment
Rate Updates, and Policy Changes;
Corrections
Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.
ACTION: Correction of final rule.
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This document corrects
technical errors in the ‘‘Medicare
Program; Prospective Payment System
for Long-Term Care Hospitals RY 2008:
Annual Payment Rate Updates, and
Policy Changes; and Hospital Direct and
Indirect Graduate Medical Education
Policy Changes; Final Rule’’ (hereinafter
referred to as the RY 2008 LTCH PPS
final rule) that appeared in the May 11,
2007 Federal Register. We are
correcting the high cost outlier (HCO)
fixed-loss amount that is effective for
long-term care hospital (LTCH)
prospective payment system (PPS)
payments beginning on or after July 1,
2007 from $22,954 to $20,738. The
incorrect fixed-loss amount was
determined due to a typographical error
in the computer programming. We are
also correcting figures in Table 9 and
Table 11 since the incorrect figures
originally published originated from the
same typographical error. We are
making additional conforming changes
to the preamble of the final rule which
were necessary as a result of the
correction of the fixed-loss amount and
the figures in Tables 9 and 11.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2007.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tzvi
Hefter, (410) 786–4487 (General
information). Elizabeth Truong, (410)
786–6005 (Federal rate update, budget
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I. Background
In FR Doc. 07–2206 (72 FR 26870),
there were technical errors stemming
from a typographical error in the
computer programming of the payment
simulation program that are identified
and corrected in the Correction of Errors
section below. The provisions in this
correction notice are effective as if they
had been included in the RY 2008 LTCH
PPS final rule. Accordingly, the
corrections are effective July 1, 2007.
II. Summary of Errors
In the RY 2008 LTCH PPS final rule,
we incorrectly calculated the HCO
fixed-loss amount. Specifically, we
discovered that there was a
typographical error in one of the
numeric inputs used in the payment
simulation program and this resulted in
an understating of the nonlabor share of
payments to LTCHs. Since the nonlabor
related share is used in the calculation
of the fixed-loss amount, this error
caused the fixed-loss amount to be
inaccurate. We corrected the
typographical error in the payment
simulation program and computed the
payment using the same payment
methodology that was discussed and
used in the final rule. Consequently, the
corrected final fixed-loss amount for RY
2008 is $20,738. This document
replaces all incorrect HCO fixed-loss
amounts references in the RY 2008
LTCH PPS final rule with the corrected
fixed-loss amount of $20,738.
Furthermore, the payment simulation
program was used in the analysis of
payment changes for the impact section
of the RY 2008 LTCH PPS final rule.
Specifically, Tables 9 and 11 of the final
rule address the projected impact of
payment rate policy changes by
comparing payments based on the
policies that were in effect for RY 2007
to LTCH PPS payments based on
policies to be in effect for RY 2008,
including the RY 2008 HCO fixed-loss
amount (72 FR 26870, 26977 through
26978, and 26985 through 26986). In
this correction notice, we are providing
the revised Tables 9 and 11 to reflect the
changes resulting from correcting the
typographical error in the payment
simulation program. We note that it was
necessary to revise only two columns in
Table 11. Correcting the typographical
error for the nonlabor share generally
reduced the estimated impact on
estimated payments per discharge from
RY 2007 to RY 2008 due to finalized
changes to the area wage adjustment
(column 7). In addition, applying the
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36613
revised fixed-loss amount, which is
$2,216 lower than the incorrect fixedloss amount applied in the RY 2008
LTCH PPS final rule, generally reduced
the estimated impact on estimated
payments per discharge from RY 2007 to
RY 2008 (column 9). In addition, we are
making conforming changes to the
preamble of the final rule (as indicated
in Section III. of this correction notice)
that are necessary as a result of the
correction of the fixed-loss amount and
Tables 9 and 11.
III. Correction of Errors
In FR Doc. 07–2206 (72 FR 26870),
make the following corrections:
1. On page 26898,
a. In the 2nd column, 1st full
paragraph, lines 25 and 30, the figure
‘‘$22,954’’ is corrected to read
‘‘$20,738’’.
b. In the 3rd column, 2nd full
paragraph, lines 4 and 11, the figure
‘‘$22,954’’ is corrected to read
‘‘$20,738’’.
2. On page 26899,
a. In the 1st column,
(1) In the 1st partial paragraph,
(a) Line 26, the figure ‘‘3.8’’ is
corrected to read ‘‘1.2’’.
(b) Line 42, the figure ‘‘1.0’’ is
corrected to read ‘‘0.5’’.
(c) Lines 46 through 48, the sentence
‘‘We also project an estimated 2.5
percent decrease in estimated payments
per discharge from RY 2007 to RY 2008
due’’ is corrected to read, ‘‘We also
project an estimated 0.4 percent
decrease in estimated payments per
discharge from RY 2007 to RY 2008
primarily due’’.
(2) In the 1st full paragraph, line 2,
the figure ‘‘$22,954’’ is corrected to read
‘‘$20,738’’.
b. In the 2nd column,
(1) In the 1st partial paragraph, line
14, the figure ‘‘10’’ is corrected to read
‘‘8’’.
(2) In the 1st partial paragraph, line
31, the figure ‘‘10’’ is corrected to read
‘‘8.5’’.
3. On page 26900, in the 1st column,
in the 3rd full paragraph, in the 2nd line
from the bottom, the figure ‘‘$22,954’’ is
corrected to read ‘‘$20,738’’.
4. On page 26977, in the 3rd column,
in the 1st partial paragraph, lines 27 and
28, the phrase ‘‘approximately $156
million (or about 3.8 percent).’’ is
corrected to read, ‘‘approximately $50
million (or about 1.2 percent). In
addition, applying the case-mix
adjustment (2.49 percent) to account for
the increase in payments in FY 2005,
the result is estimated to be an impact
of approximately $100 million.’’
5. On pages 26977 through 26978,
Table 9: Estimated Impact of the
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 128 / Thursday, July 5, 2007 / Rules and Regulations
Provisions of this Final Rule is corrected
to read as follows:
TABLE 9.—ESTIMATED IMPACT OF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS FINAL RULE 1
Estimated
percent change in
estimated aggregate LTCH PPS
payments
Policy
Payment Rate and Policy Changes:
Changes to the Federal Rate 2 ...............................................................................................................................................
Changes to the Area Wage Adjustment ................................................................................................................................
Revision of the SSO Policy ....................................................................................................................................................
Adjustment of the High Cost Outlier Threshold 3 ...................................................................................................................
Subtotal 4 .........................................................................................................................................................................
Expansion of the ‘‘25 Percent’’ Policy 5 .........................................................................................................................................
0.6
¥0.5
¥0.9
¥0.4
¥1.2
0
Total 6 (¥1.2% + 0%) ..............................................................................................................................................
¥1.2
1 Percent
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES
change in estimated aggregate LTCH PPS payments from the 2007 LTCH PPS rate year to the 2008 LTCH PPS rate year based on
the best available data for 377 LTCHs.
2 As discussed in greater detail in section XV.B.4. of this regulatory impact analysis, about 34 percent of all LTCH cases are projected to receive a payment under the existing SSO policy that is based either on the estimated cost of the case or the ‘‘IPPS comparable amount’’ (rather
than the Federal rate). Therefore, the percent change in estimated aggregate LTCH PPS payments due to the changes to the Federal rate, 0.61
percent, is slightly less than the update to the Federal rate of 0.71 percent.
3 This estimated 0.4 percent decrease in estimated payments per discharge from RY 2007 to RY 2008 is primarily due to the changes in the
fixed-loss amount resulting from the use of more recent LTCH data to estimate the cost of each LTCH case.
4 We also note that the estimated percent change for all payment rate and policy changes may not exactly equal the sum of the estimated percent change for the changes to the Federal rate, the changes to the area wage adjustment and the revision of the SSO policy due to the effect
of estimated changes in aggregate HCO payments, as well as other interactive effects that cannot be isolated.
5 Expansion of the existing special payment provision for co-located LTCHs (HwHs and satellites of LTCHs) at existing § 412.534 to certain situations not presently covered by existing § 412.534 for subclause (I) LTCHs (as discussed in section V.B. of the preamble of this final rule).
6 Total estimated impact of the provisions of this final rule (that is, sum of the estimated impact of the payment rate and policy change, including the revision of the SSO policy, and the estimated impact of the expansion of the ‘‘25 percent’’ policy).
6. On page 26978,
a. In the 1st column, 1st paragraph,
lines 6 and 7, the phrase ‘‘We note the
$156 million (or 3.8 percent)’’ is
corrected to read, ‘‘We note the
approximately $50 million (or 1.2
percent)’’.
(b) In the 2nd column,
(1) In the 2nd full paragraph,
(a) Line 3, the figure ‘‘3.8’’ is corrected
to read ‘‘1.2’’.
(b) Line 4, the figure ‘‘$156 million’’
is corrected to read ‘‘approximately $50
million’’.
(c) Line 9 the figure ‘‘3.8’’ is corrected
to read ‘‘1.2’’.
b. In the 3rd column, in the 1st partial
paragraph, line 7, the figure ‘‘3.8’’ is
corrected to read ‘‘1.2’’.
7. On page 26979,
a. In the 1st column,
(1) In the 1st full paragraph,
(a) Line 2, the figure ‘‘2.5’’ is corrected
to read ‘‘0.4’’.
(b) Lines 4 and 5, the phrase
‘‘discharge from RY 2007 to RY 2008
due to the changes in’’ is corrected to
read ‘‘discharge from RY 2007 to RY
2008 due primarily to the changes in’’.
b. In the 2nd column,
(1) In the 1st partial paragraph,
(a) Line 14, the figure ‘‘9’’ is corrected
to read ‘‘8.5’’.
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(b) Line 28, the figure ‘‘10.3’’ is
corrected to read ‘‘9.6’’.
(c) Line 42, the figure ‘‘22,954’’ is
corrected to read ‘‘$20,738’’.
(d) Lines 44 and 45, the phrase
‘‘estimated aggregate LTCH PPS
payments of 2.5 percent, we believe
that’’ is corrected to read ‘‘estimated
aggregate LTCH PPS payments of 0.4
percent, we believe that’’.
(2) In the 1st full paragraph, line 5,
the figure ‘‘3.8’’ is corrected to read
‘‘1.2’’.
c. In the 3rd column, in the 1st partial
paragraph, lines 2 and 3, the phrase
‘‘finalizing a 3.8 percent decrease to the
Federal rate’’ is corrected to read
‘‘finalizing an estimated 1.2 percent
decrease in estimated LTCH PPS
payments’’.
8. On page 26980,
a. In the 1st column, 1st full
paragraph, line 21, the figure ‘‘1.0’’ is
corrected to read ‘‘0.5’’.
b. In the 2nd column, 2nd full
paragraph, line 5, the figure ‘‘3.8’’ is
corrected to read ‘‘1.2’’.
c. In the 3rd column, 2nd full
paragraph,
(1) Line 4, the figure ‘‘3.8’’ is
corrected to read ‘‘1.2’’.
(2) Line 5, the figure ‘‘$156 million’’
is corrected to read ‘‘$50 million’’.
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9. On page 26981, in the 1st column,
1st partial paragraph, line 2, the figure
‘‘6.2’’ is corrected to read ‘‘3.1’’.
10. On page 26982,
a. In the 1st column, 1st full
paragraph,
(1) Line 2, the figure ‘‘2.8’’ is
corrected to read ‘‘0.7’’.
(2) Lines 4 and 5, the phrase ‘‘per
discharge to rural LTCHs from RY 2007
to RY 2008 due to the changes in’’ is
corrected to read ‘‘per discharge to rural
LTCHs from RY 2007 to RY 2008 due
primarily to the changes in’’.
(3) Line 29, the figure ‘‘$22,954’’ is
corrected to read ‘‘$20,738’’.
(4) Lines 32 and 33, the phrase
‘‘payments to rural hospitals by 2.8
percent, we believe that this is’’ is
corrected to read ‘‘payments to rural
LTCHs, we believe that this is’’.
b. In the 2nd column, in the 1st full
paragraph, lines 26 and 39, the figure
‘‘6.2’’ is corrected to read ‘‘3.1’’.
11. On page 26984, in the 2nd
column, 1st partial paragraph, line 4,
the figure ‘‘$22,954’’ is corrected to read
‘‘$20,738’’.
12. On pages 26985 and 26986, Table
11: Projected Impact of Payment Rate
and Payment Rate Policy Changes to
LTCH PPS Payments for RY 2008 is
corrected to read as follows:
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36615
TABLE 11.—PROJECTED IMPACT OF PAYMENT RATE AND PAYMENT RATE POLICY CHANGES TO LTCH PPS PAYMENTS
FOR RY 2008
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Number of
LTCH PPS
cases
129,812
$32,968.71
$32,562.05
0.6
¥0.5
¥0.9
¥1.2
23
354
182
172
5,300
124,512
75,064
49,448
27,010.90
33,222.31
34,591.56
31,143.73
26,162.27
32,834.47
34,353.33
30,528.78
0.7
0.6
0.6
0.6
¥2.2
¥0.4
¥0
¥1.2
¥0.9
¥0.9
¥0.9
¥0.9
¥3.1
¥1.2
¥0.7
¥2
16
44
203
108
6
6,989
20,751
73,460
27,949
663
28,729.04
34,169.65
32,818.53
33,597.54
30,205.22
28,674.54
33,823.79
32,447.29
32,959.21
30,024.91
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.2
¥0.2
¥0.5
¥0.9
¥0.5
¥0.6
¥0.9
¥0.8
¥1.1
¥0.7
¥0.2
¥1
¥1.1
¥1.9
¥0.6
83
254
14
23
25,732
97,294
2,694
4,027
32,181.69
33,104.72
36,419.51
32,404.90
31,691.50
32,737.43
35,676.30
31,809.07
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
¥0.6
¥0.5
¥0.8
¥0.7
¥1
¥0.9
¥0.9
¥1
¥1.5
¥1.1
¥2
¥1.8
16
30
47
69
28
18
129
22
18
9,634
8,114
13,402
19,477
7,848
5,337
50,983
5,768
9,249
27,887.51
33,652.40
36,643.93
35,747.81
33,545.58
35,484.45
29,564.84
35,135.25
41,954.57
27,850.12
33,219.72
36,003.38
35,504.41
32,685.39
34,896.78
28,976.97
35,239.57
42,350.72
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.3
¥0.7
¥0.9
¥0
¥1.7
¥0.7
¥1.2
1.1
1.5
¥0.7
¥0.9
¥1
¥0.9
¥1
¥0.9
¥0.9
¥1.1
¥0.7
¥0.1
¥1.3
¥1.7
¥0.7
¥2.6
¥1.7
¥2
0.3
0.9
32
196
65
48
21
15
0
13. On page 26986, in the 2nd
column, in the 1st full paragraph, line
4, the figure, ‘‘3.8’’ is corrected to read
‘‘1.2’’.
14. On page 26987, in the 3rd column,
(a) In the 1st partial paragraph, line
23, the figure ‘‘$22,954’’ is corrected to
read ‘‘$20,738’’.
b. In the 1st full paragraph,
(1) Line 13, the figure ‘‘6.2’’ is
corrected to read ‘‘3.1’’.
(2) Line 14, the figure ‘‘3.7’’ is
corrected to read ‘‘1.2’’.
c. In the 3rd full paragraph,
(1) Line 2, the figure ‘‘3.2’’ is
corrected to read ‘‘0.7’’.
(2) Line 7, the figure ‘‘4.7’’ is
corrected to read ‘‘2’’.
15. On page 26988,
a. In the 1st column,
(1) In the 1st full paragraph, lines 2
and 3, the phrase, ‘‘experience a lower
than average decrease in estimated
payments per’’ is corrected to read,
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Percent
change in
payments per
discharge
from RY
2007 to RY
2008 for all
changes
Average RY
2008 LTCH
PPS rate
year
payment
per case
377
ALL PROVIDERS ......................................
By Location:
RURAL ...............................................
URBAN ...............................................
LARGE ........................................
OTHER .......................................
By Participation Date:
BEFORE OCT. 1983 .........................
OCT. 1983–SEPT. 1993 ....................
OCT. 1993–SEPT. 2002 ....................
AFTER OCTOBER 2002 ...................
UNKNOWN PARTICIPATION DATE
By Ownership Type:
VOLUNTARY .....................................
PROPRIETARY .................................
GOVERNMENT .................................
UNKNOWN OWNERSHIP TYPE ......
By Census Region:
NEW ENGLAND ................................
MIDDLE ATLANTIC ...........................
SOUTH ATLANTIC ............................
EAST NORTH CENTRAL ..................
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL ..................
WEST NORTH CENTRAL .................
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL .................
MOUNTAIN ........................................
PACIFIC .............................................
By Bed Size:
BEDS: 0–24 .......................................
BEDS: 25–49 .....................................
BEDS: 50–74 .....................................
BEDS: 75–124 ...................................
BEDS: 125–199 .................................
BEDS: 200 + ......................................
UNKNOWN BED SIZE ......................
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Percent
change in estimated payments per
discharge
from RY
2007 to RY
2008 for
finalized
changes to
the SSO
policy
Average RY
2007 LTCH
PPS rate
year
payment
per case
4,998
45,487
24,371
22,364
17,716
14,876
0
30,275.32
33,230.63
33,247.51
33,634.49
33,285.43
31,237.88
0.00
29,713.64
32,686.65
32,865.03
33,243.59
32,909.60
31,203.20
0.00
0.7
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0
¥0.8
¥0.9
¥0.4
¥0.4
¥0.2
0.3
0
¥0.9
¥1
¥0.9
¥0.8
¥0.9
¥0.7
0
¥1.9
¥1.6
¥1.2
¥1.2
¥1.1
¥0.1
0
Number of
LTCHs
LTCH Classification
Percent
change in estimated payments per
discharge
from RY
2007 to RY
2008 for
finalized
changes to
the area
wage
adjustment
Percent
change in estimated payments per
discharge
from RY
2007 to RY
2008 for
finalized
changes to
the Federal
rate
‘‘experience no change in estimated
payments per’’.
(2) In the 3rd full paragraph, line 12,
the figure, ‘‘3.8’’ is corrected to read
‘‘1.1’’.
(3) In the 4th full paragraph,
(a) Line 6, the figure, ‘‘ 3.4’’ is
corrected to read, ‘‘1.0’’.
(b) Line 18, the figure ‘‘0.8’’ is
corrected to read ‘‘0.2’’.
b. In the 2nd column,
(1) The 1st full paragraph is corrected
in its entirety to read as follows:
‘‘LTCHs that began participating
before October 1983 are projected to
experience a 0.2 percent increase in
estimated payments per discharge from
the 2007 LTCH PPS rate year compared
to the 2008 LTCH PPS rate year (see
Table 11). We are projecting that LTCHs
that began participating in Medicare
before October 1983 would experience
an increase in estimated payments for
RY 2008 as compared to RY 2007
primarily because we are projecting that
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LTCHs in this participation date
category would experience a decrease in
estimated payments in RY 2008 as
compared to RY 2007 because several of
these LTCHs are located in areas that
have a wage index value of greater than
1.0, as explained above.
(2) In the 2nd full paragraph,
(a) Line 7, the figure ‘‘4.5’’ is corrected
to read as ‘‘1.9’’.
(b) Line 19, the figure ‘‘1.5’’ is
corrected to read as ‘‘0.9’’.
c. In the 3rd column,
(1) In the 1st partial paragraph, line
10, the figure ‘‘4.5’’ is corrected to read
as ‘‘2.0’’.
(2) In the 1st full paragraph, line 5,
the figure ‘‘4’’ is corrected to read as
‘‘1.5’’.
(3) In the 2nd full paragraph, line 6,
the figure ‘‘3.7’’ is corrected to read as
‘‘1.1’’.
16. On page 26989,
a. In the 1st column,
(1) In the 1st partial paragraph,
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(a) Lines 1 through 3, the phrase ‘‘East
South Central and West South Central
regions (5.3 percent and 4.8 percent,
respectively; see’’ is corrected to read
‘‘East South Central region (2.6 percent,
see’’.
(b) Lines 9 through 12, the phrase
‘‘adjustment (2.3 percent for the East
South Central region, and 1.7 percent
for the West South Central region, as
shown in Table 11)’’ is corrected to read
‘‘adjustment (1.7 percent, as shown in
Table 11)’’.
(c) Line 15, the phrase ‘‘and the West
South Central regions’’ is removed.
b. In the 3rd full paragraph,
(1) Line 10, the figure ‘‘4.7’’ is
corrected to read ‘‘1.9’’.
(2) Line 12, the figure ‘‘4.3’’ is
corrected to read ‘‘1.6’’.
c. In the 2nd column
(1) In the 1st partial paragraph, line
10, the figure ‘‘2.5’’ is corrected to read
‘‘0.1’’.
(2) In the 1st full paragraph,
(a) Lines 12 and 13, the phrase ‘‘about
$156 million’’ is corrected to read
‘‘approximately $50 million’’.
(b) Line 13, the figure ‘‘3.8’’ is
corrected to read ‘‘1.2’’.
17. On page 26991, in the 1st column,
(a) In the 1st full paragraph, lines 5
and 6, the phrase ‘‘payments of $156
million (or about 3.8 percent)’’ is
corrected to read ‘‘payments of
approximately $50 million (or about 1.2
percent)’’
(b) In Table 12, in the 2nd row, in the
2nd column, line 4, the figure ‘‘$156’’ is
corrected to read ‘‘$50’’.
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES
We ordinarily publish a notice of
proposed rulemaking in the Federal
Register to provide a period for public
comment before the provisions of a rule
take effect in accordance with section
553(b) of the Administrative Procedure
Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553(b)). However,
we can waive this notice and comment
procedure if the Secretary finds, for
good cause, that the notice and
comment process is impracticable,
unnecessary, or contrary to the public
interest, and incorporates a statement of
the finding and the reasons therefore in
the correction notice.
Section 553(d) of the APA ordinarily
requires a 30-day delay in effective date
of final rules after the date of their
publication in the Federal Register.
This 30-day delay in effective date can
be waived, however, if an agency finds
for good cause that the delay is
impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary
to the public interest, and the agency
incorporates a statement of the findings
and its reasons in the rule issued.
15:50 Jul 03, 2007
Jkt 211001
Authority
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
Program No. 93.773, Medicare—Hospital
Insurance; and Program No. 93.774,
Medicare—Supplementary Medical
Insurance Program)
Dated: June 29, 2007.
Ann C. Agnew,
Executive Secretary to the Department.
[FR Doc. 07–3261 Filed 6–29–07; 3:21 pm]
Secretary, Federal
Communications Commission, 445
Twelfth Street, SW., Washington, DC
20554.
ADDRESSES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Victoria McCauley, Media Bureau, (202)
418–2180.
This is a
synopsis of the Commission’s Report
and Order, MB Docket No. 05–102,
adopted June 6, 2007, and released June
8, 2007. The full text of this
Commission decision is available for
inspection and copying during normal
business hours in the FCC’s Reference
Information Center at Portals II, CY–
A257, 445 Twelfth Street, SW.,
Washington, DC 20554. This document
may also be purchased from the
Commission’s duplicating contractors,
Best Copy and Printing, Inc., 445 12th
Street, SW., Room CY–B402,
Washington, DC 20554, telephone 1–
800–378–3160 or https://
www.BCPIWEB.com. The Commission
will send a copy of this Report and
Order in a report to be sent to Congress
and the Government Accountability
Office pursuant to the Congressional
Review Act, see 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A).
Provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility
Act of l980 do not apply to this
proceeding.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 73
Radio, Radio broadcasting.
BILLING CODE 4120–01–P
As stated in the preamble, the Federal
Communications Commission amends
47 CFR part 73 as follows:
I
III. Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking
and Delay in Effective Date
VerDate Aug<31>2005
This correction notice corrects
technical errors in the RY 2008 LTCH
PPS final rule. It does not make
substantive changes to the policies or
payment methodologies that were
adopted in the final rule. We believe it
is unnecessary to undergo notice and
comment procedures and have a 30-day
delay in effective date of these technical
changes because they merely ensure that
the RY 2008 LTCH PPS final rule
accurately reflects the policies that were
adopted in that final rule, final policies
which were previously subjected to
notice and comment procedures and
that have had more than a 30 daydelayed effective date. We believe it
impracticable to engage in notice and
comment procedures and have a 30-day
delayed effective date for these
technical corrections as the correct
payment rates must be effective July 1,
2007.
Therefore, we are waiving proposed
rulemaking and the 30-day delay in
effective date for the technical
corrections in this correction notice.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSION
47 CFR Part 73
PART 73—RADIO BROADCAST
SERVICES
[DA 07–2388; MB Docket No. 05–102; RM–
10630]
I
1. The authority citation for part 73
continues to read as follows:
Radio Broadcasting Services; Akron
and Denver, CO
Federal Communications
Commission.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This document grants a
petition for rulemaking filed by Akron
Broadcasting Company (‘‘Petitioner’’),
seeking to amend the FM Table of
Allotments by allotting Channel 279C1
at Akron, Colorado, as the community’s
first local aural transmission service.
Channel 279C1 is allotted at Akron,
Colorado, at Petitioner’s requested site
24.5 kilometers (15.2 miles) southeast of
the community at coordinates 40–03–28
NL and 102–57–35 WL.
DATES: Effective July 23, 2007.
PO 00000
Frm 00028
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 334, 336.
§ 73.202
[Amended]
2. Section 73.202(b), the Table of FM
Allotments under Colorado is amended
by adding Akron, Channel 279C1.
I
Federal Communications Commission.
John A. Karousos,
Assistant Chief, Audio Division, Media
Bureau.
[FR Doc. E7–12650 Filed 7–3–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
E:\FR\FM\05JYR1.SGM
05JYR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 128 (Thursday, July 5, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36613-36616]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-3261]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
42 CFR Parts 412 and 413
[CMS-1529-CN]
RIN 0938-AO30
Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System for Long-Term Care
Hospitals RY 2008: Annual Payment Rate Updates, and Policy Changes;
Corrections
AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.
ACTION: Correction of final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This document corrects technical errors in the ``Medicare
Program; Prospective Payment System for Long-Term Care Hospitals RY
2008: Annual Payment Rate Updates, and Policy Changes; and Hospital
Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Policy Changes; Final
Rule'' (hereinafter referred to as the RY 2008 LTCH PPS final rule)
that appeared in the May 11, 2007 Federal Register. We are correcting
the high cost outlier (HCO) fixed-loss amount that is effective for
long-term care hospital (LTCH) prospective payment system (PPS)
payments beginning on or after July 1, 2007 from $22,954 to $20,738.
The incorrect fixed-loss amount was determined due to a typographical
error in the computer programming. We are also correcting figures in
Table 9 and Table 11 since the incorrect figures originally published
originated from the same typographical error. We are making additional
conforming changes to the preamble of the final rule which were
necessary as a result of the correction of the fixed-loss amount and
the figures in Tables 9 and 11.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2007.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tzvi Hefter, (410) 786-4487 (General
information). Elizabeth Truong, (410) 786-6005 (Federal rate update,
budget neutrality, other adjustments, and calculation of the payment
rates).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
In FR Doc. 07-2206 (72 FR 26870), there were technical errors
stemming from a typographical error in the computer programming of the
payment simulation program that are identified and corrected in the
Correction of Errors section below. The provisions in this correction
notice are effective as if they had been included in the RY 2008 LTCH
PPS final rule. Accordingly, the corrections are effective July 1,
2007.
II. Summary of Errors
In the RY 2008 LTCH PPS final rule, we incorrectly calculated the
HCO fixed-loss amount. Specifically, we discovered that there was a
typographical error in one of the numeric inputs used in the payment
simulation program and this resulted in an understating of the nonlabor
share of payments to LTCHs. Since the nonlabor related share is used in
the calculation of the fixed-loss amount, this error caused the fixed-
loss amount to be inaccurate. We corrected the typographical error in
the payment simulation program and computed the payment using the same
payment methodology that was discussed and used in the final rule.
Consequently, the corrected final fixed-loss amount for RY 2008 is
$20,738. This document replaces all incorrect HCO fixed-loss amounts
references in the RY 2008 LTCH PPS final rule with the corrected fixed-
loss amount of $20,738.
Furthermore, the payment simulation program was used in the
analysis of payment changes for the impact section of the RY 2008 LTCH
PPS final rule. Specifically, Tables 9 and 11 of the final rule address
the projected impact of payment rate policy changes by comparing
payments based on the policies that were in effect for RY 2007 to LTCH
PPS payments based on policies to be in effect for RY 2008, including
the RY 2008 HCO fixed-loss amount (72 FR 26870, 26977 through 26978,
and 26985 through 26986). In this correction notice, we are providing
the revised Tables 9 and 11 to reflect the changes resulting from
correcting the typographical error in the payment simulation program.
We note that it was necessary to revise only two columns in Table 11.
Correcting the typographical error for the nonlabor share generally
reduced the estimated impact on estimated payments per discharge from
RY 2007 to RY 2008 due to finalized changes to the area wage adjustment
(column 7). In addition, applying the revised fixed-loss amount, which
is $2,216 lower than the incorrect fixed-loss amount applied in the RY
2008 LTCH PPS final rule, generally reduced the estimated impact on
estimated payments per discharge from RY 2007 to RY 2008 (column 9). In
addition, we are making conforming changes to the preamble of the final
rule (as indicated in Section III. of this correction notice) that are
necessary as a result of the correction of the fixed-loss amount and
Tables 9 and 11.
III. Correction of Errors
In FR Doc. 07-2206 (72 FR 26870), make the following corrections:
1. On page 26898,
a. In the 2nd column, 1st full paragraph, lines 25 and 30, the
figure ``$22,954'' is corrected to read ``$20,738''.
b. In the 3rd column, 2nd full paragraph, lines 4 and 11, the
figure ``$22,954'' is corrected to read ``$20,738''.
2. On page 26899,
a. In the 1st column,
(1) In the 1st partial paragraph,
(a) Line 26, the figure ``3.8'' is corrected to read ``1.2''.
(b) Line 42, the figure ``1.0'' is corrected to read ``0.5''.
(c) Lines 46 through 48, the sentence ``We also project an
estimated 2.5 percent decrease in estimated payments per discharge from
RY 2007 to RY 2008 due'' is corrected to read, ``We also project an
estimated 0.4 percent decrease in estimated payments per discharge from
RY 2007 to RY 2008 primarily due''.
(2) In the 1st full paragraph, line 2, the figure ``$22,954'' is
corrected to read ``$20,738''.
b. In the 2nd column,
(1) In the 1st partial paragraph, line 14, the figure ``10'' is
corrected to read ``8''.
(2) In the 1st partial paragraph, line 31, the figure ``10'' is
corrected to read ``8.5''.
3. On page 26900, in the 1st column, in the 3rd full paragraph, in
the 2nd line from the bottom, the figure ``$22,954'' is corrected to
read ``$20,738''.
4. On page 26977, in the 3rd column, in the 1st partial paragraph,
lines 27 and 28, the phrase ``approximately $156 million (or about 3.8
percent).'' is corrected to read, ``approximately $50 million (or about
1.2 percent). In addition, applying the case-mix adjustment (2.49
percent) to account for the increase in payments in FY 2005, the result
is estimated to be an impact of approximately $100 million.''
5. On pages 26977 through 26978, Table 9: Estimated Impact of the
[[Page 36614]]
Provisions of this Final Rule is corrected to read as follows:
Table 9.--Estimated Impact of the Provisions of This Final Rule 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated
percent change in
Policy estimated
aggregate LTCH
PPS payments
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payment Rate and Policy Changes:
Changes to the Federal Rate \2\.................. 0.6
Changes to the Area Wage Adjustment.............. -0.5
Revision of the SSO Policy....................... -0.9
Adjustment of the High Cost Outlier Threshold \3\ -0.4
Subtotal \4\................................. -1.2
Expansion of the ``25 Percent'' Policy \5\........... 0
------------------
Total \6\ (-1.2% + 0%)................... -1.2
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Percent change in estimated aggregate LTCH PPS payments from the
2007 LTCH PPS rate year to the 2008 LTCH PPS rate year based on the
best available data for 377 LTCHs.
\2\ As discussed in greater detail in section XV.B.4. of this regulatory
impact analysis, about 34 percent of all LTCH cases are projected to
receive a payment under the existing SSO policy that is based either
on the estimated cost of the case or the ``IPPS comparable amount''
(rather than the Federal rate). Therefore, the percent change in
estimated aggregate LTCH PPS payments due to the changes to the
Federal rate, 0.61 percent, is slightly less than the update to the
Federal rate of 0.71 percent.
\3\ This estimated 0.4 percent decrease in estimated payments per
discharge from RY 2007 to RY 2008 is primarily due to the changes in
the fixed-loss amount resulting from the use of more recent LTCH data
to estimate the cost of each LTCH case.
\4\ We also note that the estimated percent change for all payment rate
and policy changes may not exactly equal the sum of the estimated
percent change for the changes to the Federal rate, the changes to the
area wage adjustment and the revision of the SSO policy due to the
effect of estimated changes in aggregate HCO payments, as well as
other interactive effects that cannot be isolated.
\5\ Expansion of the existing special payment provision for co-located
LTCHs (HwHs and satellites of LTCHs) at existing Sec. 412.534 to
certain situations not presently covered by existing Sec. 412.534
for subclause (I) LTCHs (as discussed in section V.B. of the preamble
of this final rule).
\6\ Total estimated impact of the provisions of this final rule (that
is, sum of the estimated impact of the payment rate and policy change,
including the revision of the SSO policy, and the estimated impact of
the expansion of the ``25 percent'' policy).
6. On page 26978,
a. In the 1st column, 1st paragraph, lines 6 and 7, the phrase ``We
note the $156 million (or 3.8 percent)'' is corrected to read, ``We
note the approximately $50 million (or 1.2 percent)''.
(b) In the 2nd column,
(1) In the 2nd full paragraph,
(a) Line 3, the figure ``3.8'' is corrected to read ``1.2''.
(b) Line 4, the figure ``$156 million'' is corrected to read
``approximately $50 million''.
(c) Line 9 the figure ``3.8'' is corrected to read ``1.2''.
b. In the 3rd column, in the 1st partial paragraph, line 7, the
figure ``3.8'' is corrected to read ``1.2''.
7. On page 26979,
a. In the 1st column,
(1) In the 1st full paragraph,
(a) Line 2, the figure ``2.5'' is corrected to read ``0.4''.
(b) Lines 4 and 5, the phrase ``discharge from RY 2007 to RY 2008
due to the changes in'' is corrected to read ``discharge from RY 2007
to RY 2008 due primarily to the changes in''.
b. In the 2nd column,
(1) In the 1st partial paragraph,
(a) Line 14, the figure ``9'' is corrected to read ``8.5''.
(b) Line 28, the figure ``10.3'' is corrected to read ``9.6''.
(c) Line 42, the figure ``22,954'' is corrected to read
``$20,738''.
(d) Lines 44 and 45, the phrase ``estimated aggregate LTCH PPS
payments of 2.5 percent, we believe that'' is corrected to read
``estimated aggregate LTCH PPS payments of 0.4 percent, we believe
that''.
(2) In the 1st full paragraph, line 5, the figure ``3.8'' is
corrected to read ``1.2''.
c. In the 3rd column, in the 1st partial paragraph, lines 2 and 3,
the phrase ``finalizing a 3.8 percent decrease to the Federal rate'' is
corrected to read ``finalizing an estimated 1.2 percent decrease in
estimated LTCH PPS payments''.
8. On page 26980,
a. In the 1st column, 1st full paragraph, line 21, the figure
``1.0'' is corrected to read ``0.5''.
b. In the 2nd column, 2nd full paragraph, line 5, the figure
``3.8'' is corrected to read ``1.2''.
c. In the 3rd column, 2nd full paragraph,
(1) Line 4, the figure ``3.8'' is corrected to read ``1.2''.
(2) Line 5, the figure ``$156 million'' is corrected to read ``$50
million''.
9. On page 26981, in the 1st column, 1st partial paragraph, line 2,
the figure ``6.2'' is corrected to read ``3.1''.
10. On page 26982,
a. In the 1st column, 1st full paragraph,
(1) Line 2, the figure ``2.8'' is corrected to read ``0.7''.
(2) Lines 4 and 5, the phrase ``per discharge to rural LTCHs from
RY 2007 to RY 2008 due to the changes in'' is corrected to read ``per
discharge to rural LTCHs from RY 2007 to RY 2008 due primarily to the
changes in''.
(3) Line 29, the figure ``$22,954'' is corrected to read
``$20,738''.
(4) Lines 32 and 33, the phrase ``payments to rural hospitals by
2.8 percent, we believe that this is'' is corrected to read ``payments
to rural LTCHs, we believe that this is''.
b. In the 2nd column, in the 1st full paragraph, lines 26 and 39,
the figure ``6.2'' is corrected to read ``3.1''.
11. On page 26984, in the 2nd column, 1st partial paragraph, line
4, the figure ``$22,954'' is corrected to read ``$20,738''.
12. On pages 26985 and 26986, Table 11: Projected Impact of Payment
Rate and Payment Rate Policy Changes to LTCH PPS Payments for RY 2008
is corrected to read as follows:
[[Page 36615]]
Table 11.--Projected Impact of Payment Rate and Payment Rate Policy Changes to LTCH PPS Payments for RY 2008
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percent
Percent change in Percent
change in estimated change in
estimated payments per estimated Percent
Average RY Average RY payments per discharge payments per change in
Number of 2007 LTCH 2008 LTCH discharge from RY 2007 discharge payments per
LTCH Classification Number of LTCH PPS PPS rate PPS rate from RY 2007 to RY 2008 from RY 2007 discharge
LTCHs cases year year to RY 2008 for to RY 2008 from RY 2007
payment payment for finalized for to RY 2008
per case per case finalized changes to finalized for all
changes to the area changes to changes
the Federal wage the SSO
rate adjustment policy
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALL PROVIDERS............................... 377 129,812 $32,968.71 $32,562.05 0.6 -0.5 -0.9 -1.2
By Location:
RURAL................................... 23 5,300 27,010.90 26,162.27 0.7 -2.2 -0.9 -3.1
URBAN................................... 354 124,512 33,222.31 32,834.47 0.6 -0.4 -0.9 -1.2
LARGE............................... 182 75,064 34,591.56 34,353.33 0.6 -0 -0.9 -0.7
OTHER............................... 172 49,448 31,143.73 30,528.78 0.6 -1.2 -0.9 -2
By Participation Date:
BEFORE OCT. 1983........................ 16 6,989 28,729.04 28,674.54 0.6 0.2 -0.6 -0.2
OCT. 1983-SEPT. 1993.................... 44 20,751 34,169.65 33,823.79 0.6 -0.2 -0.9 -1
OCT. 1993-SEPT. 2002.................... 203 73,460 32,818.53 32,447.29 0.6 -0.5 -0.8 -1.1
AFTER OCTOBER 2002...................... 108 27,949 33,597.54 32,959.21 0.6 -0.9 -1.1 -1.9
UNKNOWN PARTICIPATION DATE.............. 6 663 30,205.22 30,024.91 0.6 -0.5 -0.7 -0.6
By Ownership Type:
VOLUNTARY............................... 83 25,732 32,181.69 31,691.50 0.6 -0.6 -1 -1.5
PROPRIETARY............................. 254 97,294 33,104.72 32,737.43 0.6 -0.5 -0.9 -1.1
GOVERNMENT.............................. 14 2,694 36,419.51 35,676.30 0.6 -0.8 -0.9 -2
UNKNOWN OWNERSHIP TYPE.................. 23 4,027 32,404.90 31,809.07 0.6 -0.7 -1 -1.8
By Census Region:
NEW ENGLAND............................. 16 9,634 27,887.51 27,850.12 0.6 0.3 -0.7 -0.1
MIDDLE ATLANTIC......................... 30 8,114 33,652.40 33,219.72 0.6 -0.7 -0.9 -1.3
SOUTH ATLANTIC.......................... 47 13,402 36,643.93 36,003.38 0.6 -0.9 -1 -1.7
EAST NORTH CENTRAL...................... 69 19,477 35,747.81 35,504.41 0.6 -0 -0.9 -0.7
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL...................... 28 7,848 33,545.58 32,685.39 0.6 -1.7 -1 -2.6
WEST NORTH CENTRAL...................... 18 5,337 35,484.45 34,896.78 0.6 -0.7 -0.9 -1.7
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL...................... 129 50,983 29,564.84 28,976.97 0.6 -1.2 -0.9 -2
MOUNTAIN................................ 22 5,768 35,135.25 35,239.57 0.6 1.1 -1.1 0.3
PACIFIC................................. 18 9,249 41,954.57 42,350.72 0.6 1.5 -0.7 0.9
By Bed Size:
BEDS: 0-24.............................. 32 4,998 30,275.32 29,713.64 0.7 -0.8 -0.9 -1.9
BEDS: 25-49............................. 196 45,487 33,230.63 32,686.65 0.6 -0.9 -1 -1.6
BEDS: 50-74............................. 65 24,371 33,247.51 32,865.03 0.6 -0.4 -0.9 -1.2
BEDS: 75-124............................ 48 22,364 33,634.49 33,243.59 0.6 -0.4 -0.8 -1.2
BEDS: 125-199........................... 21 17,716 33,285.43 32,909.60 0.6 -0.2 -0.9 -1.1
BEDS: 200 +............................. 15 14,876 31,237.88 31,203.20 0.6 0.3 -0.7 -0.1
UNKNOWN BED SIZE........................ 0 0 0.00 0.00 0 0 0 0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. On page 26986, in the 2nd column, in the 1st full paragraph,
line 4, the figure, ``3.8'' is corrected to read ``1.2''.
14. On page 26987, in the 3rd column,
(a) In the 1st partial paragraph, line 23, the figure ``$22,954''
is corrected to read ``$20,738''.
b. In the 1st full paragraph,
(1) Line 13, the figure ``6.2'' is corrected to read ``3.1''.
(2) Line 14, the figure ``3.7'' is corrected to read ``1.2''.
c. In the 3rd full paragraph,
(1) Line 2, the figure ``3.2'' is corrected to read ``0.7''.
(2) Line 7, the figure ``4.7'' is corrected to read ``2''.
15. On page 26988,
a. In the 1st column,
(1) In the 1st full paragraph, lines 2 and 3, the phrase,
``experience a lower than average decrease in estimated payments per''
is corrected to read, ``experience no change in estimated payments
per''.
(2) In the 3rd full paragraph, line 12, the figure, ``3.8'' is
corrected to read ``1.1''.
(3) In the 4th full paragraph,
(a) Line 6, the figure, `` 3.4'' is corrected to read, ``1.0''.
(b) Line 18, the figure ``0.8'' is corrected to read ``0.2''.
b. In the 2nd column,
(1) The 1st full paragraph is corrected in its entirety to read as
follows:
``LTCHs that began participating before October 1983 are projected
to experience a 0.2 percent increase in estimated payments per
discharge from the 2007 LTCH PPS rate year compared to the 2008 LTCH
PPS rate year (see Table 11). We are projecting that LTCHs that began
participating in Medicare before October 1983 would experience an
increase in estimated payments for RY 2008 as compared to RY 2007
primarily because we are projecting that LTCHs in this participation
date category would experience a decrease in estimated payments in RY
2008 as compared to RY 2007 because several of these LTCHs are located
in areas that have a wage index value of greater than 1.0, as explained
above.
(2) In the 2nd full paragraph,
(a) Line 7, the figure ``4.5'' is corrected to read as ``1.9''.
(b) Line 19, the figure ``1.5'' is corrected to read as ``0.9''.
c. In the 3rd column,
(1) In the 1st partial paragraph, line 10, the figure ``4.5'' is
corrected to read as ``2.0''.
(2) In the 1st full paragraph, line 5, the figure ``4'' is
corrected to read as ``1.5''.
(3) In the 2nd full paragraph, line 6, the figure ``3.7'' is
corrected to read as ``1.1''.
16. On page 26989,
a. In the 1st column,
(1) In the 1st partial paragraph,
[[Page 36616]]
(a) Lines 1 through 3, the phrase ``East South Central and West
South Central regions (5.3 percent and 4.8 percent, respectively; see''
is corrected to read ``East South Central region (2.6 percent, see''.
(b) Lines 9 through 12, the phrase ``adjustment (2.3 percent for
the East South Central region, and 1.7 percent for the West South
Central region, as shown in Table 11)'' is corrected to read
``adjustment (1.7 percent, as shown in Table 11)''.
(c) Line 15, the phrase ``and the West South Central regions'' is
removed.
b. In the 3rd full paragraph,
(1) Line 10, the figure ``4.7'' is corrected to read ``1.9''.
(2) Line 12, the figure ``4.3'' is corrected to read ``1.6''.
c. In the 2nd column
(1) In the 1st partial paragraph, line 10, the figure ``2.5'' is
corrected to read ``0.1''.
(2) In the 1st full paragraph,
(a) Lines 12 and 13, the phrase ``about $156 million'' is corrected
to read ``approximately $50 million''.
(b) Line 13, the figure ``3.8'' is corrected to read ``1.2''.
17. On page 26991, in the 1st column,
(a) In the 1st full paragraph, lines 5 and 6, the phrase ``payments
of $156 million (or about 3.8 percent)'' is corrected to read
``payments of approximately $50 million (or about 1.2 percent)''
(b) In Table 12, in the 2nd row, in the 2nd column, line 4, the
figure ``$156'' is corrected to read ``$50''.
III. Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking and Delay in Effective Date
We ordinarily publish a notice of proposed rulemaking in the
Federal Register to provide a period for public comment before the
provisions of a rule take effect in accordance with section 553(b) of
the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553(b)). However, we
can waive this notice and comment procedure if the Secretary finds, for
good cause, that the notice and comment process is impracticable,
unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest, and incorporates a
statement of the finding and the reasons therefore in the correction
notice.
Section 553(d) of the APA ordinarily requires a 30-day delay in
effective date of final rules after the date of their publication in
the Federal Register. This 30-day delay in effective date can be
waived, however, if an agency finds for good cause that the delay is
impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest, and the
agency incorporates a statement of the findings and its reasons in the
rule issued.
This correction notice corrects technical errors in the RY 2008
LTCH PPS final rule. It does not make substantive changes to the
policies or payment methodologies that were adopted in the final rule.
We believe it is unnecessary to undergo notice and comment procedures
and have a 30-day delay in effective date of these technical changes
because they merely ensure that the RY 2008 LTCH PPS final rule
accurately reflects the policies that were adopted in that final rule,
final policies which were previously subjected to notice and comment
procedures and that have had more than a 30 day-delayed effective date.
We believe it impracticable to engage in notice and comment procedures
and have a 30-day delayed effective date for these technical
corrections as the correct payment rates must be effective July 1,
2007.
Therefore, we are waiving proposed rulemaking and the 30-day delay
in effective date for the technical corrections in this correction
notice.
Authority
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.773,
Medicare--Hospital Insurance; and Program No. 93.774, Medicare--
Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)
Dated: June 29, 2007.
Ann C. Agnew,
Executive Secretary to the Department.
[FR Doc. 07-3261 Filed 6-29-07; 3:21 pm]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P