Per Diem for Nursing Home Care of Veterans in State Homes, 72399-72421 [E8-28171]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 230 (Friday, November 28, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 72399-72421]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-28171]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

38 CFR Parts 51 and 58

RIN 2900-AM97


Per Diem for Nursing Home Care of Veterans in State Homes

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to amend its 
regulations which set forth a mechanism for paying per diem to State 
homes providing nursing home care to eligible veterans. More 
specifically, we are proposing to update the basic per diem rate, to 
implement provisions of the Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and 
Information Technology Act of 2006, and to make several other changes 
to better ensure that veterans receive quality care in State homes.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before December 29, 
2008.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted through https://
www.Regulations.gov; by mail or hand-delivery to the Director, 
Regulations Management (02REG), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 
Vermont Ave., NW., Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or by fax to (202) 
273-9026. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response 
to ``RIN 2900-AM97 Per Diem for Nursing Home Care of Veterans in State 
Homes.'' Copies of comments received will be available for public 
inspection in the Office of Regulation Policy and Management, Room 
1063B, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday 
(except holidays). Please call (202) 461-4902 for an appointment. (This 
is not a toll-free number.) In addition, during the comment period, 
comments may be viewed online through the Federal Docket Management 
System (FDMS) at https://www.Regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Theresa Hayes at (202) 461-6771 (for 
issues concerning per diem payments), and Christa Hojlo, PhD at (202) 
461-6779 (for all other issues raised by this document), Office of 
Geriatrics and Extended Care, Veterans Health Administration, 
Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 
20420. (The telephone numbers set forth above are not toll-free 
numbers.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This document proposes to amend the 
regulations at 38 CFR part 51 (referred to below as the regulations), 
which set forth a mechanism for paying per diem to State homes 
providing nursing home care to eligible veterans. Under the 
regulations, VA pays per diem to a State for providing nursing home 
care to eligible veterans in a facility if the Under Secretary for 
Health recognizes the facility as a State home based on a determination 
that the facility meets the standards set forth in subpart D of the 
regulations. The standards set forth minimum requirements that are 
intended to ensure that VA pays per diem for eligible veterans only if 
the State homes provide quality care. This document also proposes to 
make corresponding changes concerning VA forms set forth at 38 CFR part 
58.

Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care

    The current regulations refer to the Geriatrics and Extended Care 
Strategic Healthcare Group (114) in a number of places. This has been 
renamed the Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care (114). Accordingly, 
we propose to amend the regulations to reflect this change.

Recognition and Certification.

    Current Sec.  51.20(a) requires an application for recognition and 
certification of a State home for nursing home care to be submitted to 
the Under Secretary for Health (10), VA Headquarters, 810 Vermont 
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420. We would

[[Page 72400]]

change this provision to have the submission instead be addressed to 
the Chief Consultant, Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care (114), VA 
Central Office, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420, who 
processes applications for the Under Secretary for Health.
    Current Sec.  51.30(a)(1) provides that the Under Secretary for 
Health will make the determination regarding recognition and the 
initial determination regarding certification after receipt of a 
``tentative determination'' from the director of the VA medical center 
of jurisdiction regarding whether, based on a VA survey, the facility 
and facility management meet or do not meet the standards of subpart D 
of the regulations. The term ``tentative determination'' has caused 
confusion as to who makes the final decision that a State home meets VA 
standards for purposes of recognizing a State home. It was intended 
that the Under Secretary for Health would make this final 
determination. Accordingly, we propose to amend Sec.  51.30(a)(1) to 
prescribe that the Under Secretary will make a final decision regarding 
recognition of a State home after considering the recommendation of the 
medical center director.
    In Sec.  51.30(a)(1), with respect to the requirement that the 
recommendation be ``based on a VA survey,'' we propose that VA will not 
conduct the recognition survey for purposes of recognizing a home until 
(i) the facility under consideration for recognition has at least 21 
residents or (ii) the number of residents in the facility equals 50 
percent or more of the new bed capacity of the facility. Because the 
majority of VA standards for payment of per diem are directly related 
to resident care, it is important that there is a representative sample 
of residents in the facility to be able to determine if the facility 
meets the standards. We need to know whether a facility can meet the 
standards while providing adequate services for at least a unit of 
average size. The average unit size in a nursing home is 21 residents. 
We also believe 50 percent of the total resident capacity in the 
facility represents a reasonable number of residents when a facility is 
renovating or adding a small number of beds.
    Current Sec.  51.30(d), (e), and (f) set forth appeal provisions 
that apply if a director of a VA medical center of jurisdiction 
determines that a State home facility or facility management does not 
meet the standards of subpart D. To clarify that these appeal 
provisions apply to the Under Secretary for Health's initial decision 
recognition and certification, as well as a director's subsequent 
determinations regarding a home's failure to meet the standards of 
subpart D, we propose to amend Sec.  51.30(d), (e), and (f) 
accordingly.

Basic Rate

    With respect to per diem for nursing home care, current Sec.  51.40 
prescribes that VA will pay the lesser of:
     One-half of the cost of the care for each day the veteran 
is in the facility, or
     $50.55 for each day the veteran is in the facility.
    Payment in the amount of $50.55 was established for use in Fiscal 
Year 2000 and has been increased every year since in accordance with 38 
U.S.C. 1741(c), which prescribes criteria for increasing basic per diem 
payments. We propose to change this amount to $71.42 for Fiscal Year 
2008 and to state that the amounts for subsequent fiscal years would be 
set in accordance with the criteria in section 1741(c).

Rate Based on Service Connection

    Under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 1745(a), which were established 
by section 211 of the Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information 
Technology Act of 2006, the basic per diem rate no longer applies for:
     Any veteran in need of nursing home care for a service-
connected disability, or
     Any veteran who has a service-connected disability rated 
at 70 percent or more and is in need of nursing home care.
    Instead, under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 1745(a), the rate for 
such veterans is the lesser of:
     The applicable or prevailing rate payable in the 
geographic area in which the State home is located, as determined by 
the Secretary, for nursing home care furnished in a non-Department 
nursing home (a public or private institution not under the direct 
jurisdiction of VA which furnishes nursing home care); or
     A rate not to exceed the daily cost of care in the State 
home facility, as determined by the Secretary, following a report to 
the Secretary by the director of the State home.
    Proposed Sec.  51.41(a) reflects these statutory provisions.
    The proposal interprets the statutory eligibility provisions for 
veterans who have ``a service-connected disability rated at 70 percent 
or more'' to cover veterans with ``a singular or combined rating of 70 
percent or more based on one or more service-connected disabilities or 
a rating of total disability based on individual unemployability.'' We 
believe that this reflects the statutory intent and is consistent with 
our other interpretation of similar statutory provisions, e.g., for 
enrollment purposes we interpreted percentage ratings to include all 
service-connected disabilities combined, as well as a rating of total 
disability based on individual unemployability. (See 38 CFR 17.36(b) 
(1)-(2)).
    We propose to establish criteria for determining the applicable or 
prevailing rate payable in the geographic area based on the information 
provided below. VA's per diem rate based on service connection will be 
a daily rate that will include both a direct nursing home care charge 
and a physician charge.
    The Federal Medicare program reimburses nursing homes for skilled 
nursing care provided to Medicare beneficiaries. The Centers for 
Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) administers the Medicare program and 
thus has developed a national system for paying for this care. The 
current system has been used and improved since 1997. In our view, this 
system, which does not include physician charges, comes closest to 
determining what the reimbursement rate per day for nursing home care 
should be in a manner that is analytically based and that considers the 
cost differences in all parts of the United States. As such, except for 
physician charges, we believe that it meets the statutory mandate that 
VA reimburse State homes at ``the applicable or prevailing rate payable 
in the geographic area in which the State home is located * * * for 
nursing home care furnished in a non-Department nursing home.'' We 
would thus compute a daily rate for each State home using the formula 
set forth in proposed Sec.  51.41 and discussed below.
    This formula is based on CMS' Medicare payment model in which per 
diem payments for each admission are case-mix adjusted using a resident 
classification system (Resource Utilization Groups, version III (RUG 
III)). The RUG III system is based on data from resident assessments 
(Minimum Data Set 2.0) and relative weights developed from staff time 
data. Each case mix is assigned a Federal rate with a labor portion and 
a non-labor portion. To adjust the amount to reflect the prevailing 
rate in the local geographic area, the labor portion is multiplied by 
the CMS hospital wage index for the local jurisdiction. The CMS 
information regarding these calculations is published in the Federal 
Register every summer and is effective beginning October 1 for the 
entire fiscal year. See 72 FR 43412 (August 3, 2007) for information 
for the 2008 Federal

[[Page 72401]]

fiscal year. VA is considering a modification to the proposed payment 
structure to be introduced after two or three years of experience with 
the RUG III approach. In the modification, VA would use the actual 
case-mix of the individual state veteran nursing home to determine the 
reimbursement rate, rather than assuming that every nursing home has an 
equal number of veterans in each of the 53 RUG III levels. This 
modification will allow for more accurate payments, reimbursing nursing 
homes at a higher rate for treating veterans with more intensive needs. 
VA is seeking public comment on this modification.
    The proposed physician charge would be a daily charge based on 
information set forth in the SMS and Supplemental Survey PE/HR which 
was published by the American Medical Association until 1999 and is 
used by CMS to develop the practice expense portion of the Medicare 
physician fee schedule amounts. To find the daily charge we would use 
the average hourly rate for all physicians from the fee schedule and 
modify this hourly rate by the applicable geographic adjustment factor 
used under the Medicare physician fee schedule for the area where the 
State home is located. We would use the modified hourly rate as the 
monthly visit rate based on our finding that the total time for the 
multiple physician visits during the month would average approximately 
one hour. We would then multiply the modified hourly rate by 12 (months 
in year) and then divide it by the number of days in the year. This 
daily rate would be added to the average per diem, described above. We 
are using an hourly rate and geographic index that does not include 
business taxes or malpractice expenses. This is because most states 
provide physician services using salaried state employees. However, we 
are soliciting comments on this issue. The prevailing rates computed 
under this provision will be updated each year using the Medical 
Economic Index.
    The rate paid to a State home for care of certain service-connected 
veterans would thus be the lesser of the applicable or prevailing rate 
payable in the geographic area in which the State home is located or a 
rate not to exceed the daily cost of care for the month in the State 
home. The actual daily cost of care would be submitted by the State 
home on VA Form 10-5588. Without the submission of such information VA 
cannot pay per diem based on service connection because VA cannot 
determine the amount to pay.
    Section 211(a)(5) of Public Law 109-461 required the higher rate 
for certain service-connected veterans to take effect on March 21, 2007 
(90 days after enactment of the law). Accordingly, VA proposes to make 
retroactive payments constituting the difference between the amount of 
per diem actually paid and the amount calculated under the formula set 
forth in these regulations for care provided to these veterans on or 
after March 21, 2007. However, VA would not make retroactive payments 
if the State home received any payment for such care from any source 
unless the amount received was returned to the payor. It is not 
administratively feasible for VA to oversee and verify accuracy of 
partial payments.
    Moreover, to reflect 38 U.S.C. 1745(a)(3), paragraph (c) states 
that, as a condition of receiving payments under proposed Sec.  51.41, 
a State home must agree not to accept drugs or medicines from VA on 
behalf of veterans provided under 38 U.S.C. 1712(d) and corresponding 
VA regulations. The direct nursing home care payments to be made to 
State homes under proposed Sec.  51.41 include payment for drugs and 
medicines.

Drugs and Medicines Based on Service Connection

    The provisions of 38 U.S.C. 1745(b), which were established by 
section 211(a)(2) of the Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and 
Information Technology Act of 2006, require VA to furnish recognized 
State homes with such drugs and medicines as may be ordered by 
prescription of a duly licensed physician as specific therapy in the 
treatment of illness or injury for certain eligible veterans. Proposed 
Sec.  51.42(a) reflects the statutory provisions and, for reasons 
explained above, we interpreted categories of veterans based on ratings 
to include singular or combined ratings.
    Under proposed Sec.  51.42(b), VA would furnish a drug or medicine 
only if the drug or medicine is included on VA's National Formulary, 
unless VA determines a non-Formulary drug or medicine is medically 
necessary. This should result in significant savings since, insofar as 
possible, the VA National Formulary consists of generic medications 
that often cost much less than brand medications. These are the same 
medications used for VA nursing home patients. Under proposed Sec.  
51.42(c), VA would furnish the drugs or medicines to the State home by 
mail or other means determined by VA. We believe it will be most 
feasible to provide the drugs and medicines by mail. However, it may be 
more practical to provide them by other means. For example, if the 
State home were located next to the VA facility, it might be more 
practical to hand-deliver the drugs and medicines.
    Section 211(a)(5) of Public Law 109-461 required that the provision 
of such drugs and medicines take effect on March 21, 2007 (90 days 
after enactment of the law). Accordingly, VA would make retroactive 
payments constituting the amount State homes paid for such drugs and 
medicines not including any administrative costs incurred by the State 
home. However, VA would not pay any amounts for drugs and medicines if 
the State home received any payment for such drugs and medicines from 
any source unless the amount received was returned to the payor. It is 
not administratively feasible for VA to oversee and verify accuracy of 
partial payments. To receive these retroactive payments, a State home 
would have to complete a VA Form 10-0460 and submit it to the VA 
medical center of jurisdiction.

Forms

    Current Sec.  51.40(a)(5), which we propose to move to Sec.  51.43, 
provides that as a condition for receiving payment of per diem, the 
State home must submit to the VA medical center of jurisdiction for 
each veteran a completed VA Form 10-10EZ, Application for Medical 
Benefits and a completed VA Form 10-10SH, State Home Program 
Application for Care--Medical Certification. The regulations also 
provide that these VA Forms should be submitted at the time of 
admission to the home and with any request for a change in the level of 
care (domiciliary, hospital care or adult day health care). In many 
cases a completed VA Form 10-10EZ may already be on file with VA. In 
those cases, proposed Sec.  51.43(a) would provide that a VA Form 10-
10EZR be submitted instead. This form would not ask for any additional 
information. It would merely ask for an update on a portion of the 
information already submitted by the VA Form 10-10EZ. VA Forms 10-10EZ 
and 10-10SH are set forth in full at Sec. Sec.  58.12 and 58.13. VA 
Form 10-10EZR is set forth in full at proposed Sec.  58.12.

Bed Holds

    Current Sec.  51.40(a)(2) concerns payment of per diem for the days 
that a veteran is considered to be a resident at the facility and 
prescribes payment only for each full day that a veteran is a resident 
at the facility. We propose to clarify this concept by stating that per 
diem would be paid for each day that the veteran is receiving care and 
has an overnight stay.

[[Page 72402]]

    Current Sec.  51.40(a)(2) sets forth the VA rule regarding the 
payment of per diem for bed holds. Payment of per diem for bed holds 
assures that nursing home residents who are hospitalized or who are 
granted leave for other purposes are assured a nursing home bed upon 
return to the nursing home. The current regulations provide that VA 
will deem the veteran to be a resident at a facility and pay per diem 
during any absence from the facility that lasts for no more than 96 
consecutive hours except that VA will not pay per diem when the veteran 
is receiving care outside the State home facility at VA expense. Also, 
the current regulations provide that an ``absence will be considered to 
have ended when the veteran returns as a resident if the veteran's stay 
is for at least a continuous 24-hour period.''
    We propose to make changes to the bed hold rule. Proposed Sec.  
51.43(c) would provide that per diem will be paid for a bed hold only 
if the veteran has established residency by being in the facility for 
30 consecutive days (including overnight stays) and the facility has an 
occupancy rate of 90 percent or greater. In addition, we propose that 
per diem for a bed hold will be paid only for the first ten (10) 
consecutive overnight absences at a VA or other hospital (this could 
occur more than once in a calendar year) and for the first twelve (12) 
other types of overnight absences in a calendar year.
    We believe that State homes should receive per diem payments to 
hold beds only for permanent residents and only if the State home would 
likely fill the bed without such payments. Allowing payments for bed 
holds only after a veteran has been in a nursing home for at least 30 
consecutive days (including overnight stays) appears to be sufficient 
to establish permanent residency. Further, there is no need to pay per 
diem for bed holds for those facilities with an occupancy of less than 
90 percent because it is unlikely that those facilities would fill the 
bed of an absent resident.
    The current 96-hour rule for absences coupled with the 24-hour 
return-period rule allow a State home to receive per diem payments for 
a veteran who spends four days per week away from the nursing home. 
This is inconsistent with the purpose for providing nursing home care, 
i.e., providing care for those unable to function outside a nursing 
home. This generous standard for bed holds was established when nursing 
home census was high. We do not propose a limit on the number of 
hospital stays because absences for hospital care do not suggest that 
an individual no longer needs nursing home care. However, a limit of 
ten (10) consecutive overnight hospital absences and a limit of twelve 
(12) other overnight absences in a calendar year are consistent with 
many Medicaid State plans which generally provide for bed holds of 
around 12 days. Further, we believe the rationale for paying for bed 
holds would apply whether or not a veteran's hospital care outside the 
State home is being provided at VA expense. We thus propose to remove 
this distinction in the regulations.

Miscellaneous

    Under the proposed rule, the provisions of paragraphs (a)(3) 
through (a)(5) and paragraph (b) of current Sec.  51.40 would be moved 
to proposed Sec.  51.43 with certain non-substantive changes, including 
changes that correspond to those discussed above in this document.
    Also, we propose to revise VA Forms 10-5588 and 10-10SH and 
established a new VA Form 10-0460, as set forth in the text portion of 
this document at 38 CFR 58.11, 58.13, and 58.18. These VA Forms would 
include changes that correspond to the changes discussed above in this 
document.

Resident Rights

    Current Sec.  51.70(c)(5) provides that ``[u]pon the death of a 
resident with a personal fund deposited with the facility, the facility 
management must convey within 30 days the resident's funds, and a final 
accounting of those funds, to the individual or probate jurisdiction 
administering the resident's estate; or other appropriate individual or 
entity, if State law allows.'' State home representatives have 
requested that the 30 day time limit be changed to 90 calendar days 
based on the observation that it often takes a longer period to verify 
which individual or entity is the appropriate recipient of the funds 
and to provide the final accounting. Based on the rationale set forth 
by State home representatives, we propose to change the 30 day time 
limit to a more realistic 90 calendar days.

Physician Services--Role of Advanced Practice Nurses

    Current Sec.  51.150 provides that a resident must be seen by the 
primary physician within specified timeframes. These regulations also 
state that, at the option of the primary physician, required visits in 
the facility after the initial visit may alternate between personal 
visits by the primary physician and visits by a certified physician 
assistant, certified nurse practitioner, or a clinical nurse 
specialist. The regulations further allow such visits by a clinical 
nurse specialist only if acting within the scope of practice as 
authorized by State law and only if acting under the supervision of the 
primary physician.
    The term ``clinical nurse specialist'' is defined in current Sec.  
51.2 as ``a licensed professional nurse with a master's degree in 
nursing with a major in a clinical nursing specialty from an academic 
program accredited by the National League for Nursing and at least 2 
years of successful clinical practice in the specialized area of 
nursing practice following this academic preparation.'' We propose to 
change the definition to delete the requirement that such an individual 
have ``at least 2 years of successful clinical practice in the 
specialized area of nursing practice following this academic 
preparation'' and require instead that the individual must be currently 
certified by a nationally recognized credentialing body (such as the 
American Nurses Credentialing Center). To obtain the master's degree, 
the individual would necessarily gain substantial clinical practice 
experience. However, the certification appears to be necessary to 
ensure that a clinical nurse specialist retains skills necessary for 
the position. Such certifying bodies require that certified individuals 
complete continuing education and thereby help them stay current with 
advances in the profession.
    The term ``nurse practitioner'' is also defined in current Sec.  
51.2 as ``a licensed professional nurse who is currently licensed to 
practice in the State; who meets the State's requirements governing the 
qualifications of nurse practitioners; and who is currently certified 
as an adult, family, or gerontological nurse practitioner by the 
American Nurses' Association.'' We propose to delete the requirement of 
certification by the American Nurses' Association because it does not 
provide such certification. Instead, we propose to require 
certification by any nationally recognized body that provides such 
certification for nurse practitioners, such as the American Nurses' 
Credentialing Center or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. 
The certification appears to be necessary to ensure that a nurse 
practitioner retains skills necessary for the position. Such certifying 
bodies require that certified individuals complete continuing education 
and thereby help them stay current with advances in the profession.

Social Worker

    Current Sec.  51.100(h)(2) provides that ``[a] nursing home with 
100 or more beds must employ a qualified social

[[Page 72403]]

worker on a full-time basis.'' This requirement was intended to ensure 
that the nursing home receives qualified social worker services and was 
not intended to require that the services be provided by one 
individual. We propose to clarify the regulations to specify that a 
nursing home with 100 or more beds would be required to employ one or 
more qualified social workers who work for a total period that equals 
at least the work time of one full-time employee (FTE). We also propose 
to clarify the regulations to specify that a State home must provide 
qualified social worker services in proportion to the total number of 
beds in the home, specifically one or more social worker FTE per 100 
beds. For example, a nursing home with 50 beds would be required to 
employ one or more qualified social workers who work for a total period 
equaling at least one-half FTE and a nursing home with 150 beds would 
be required to employ qualified social workers who work for a total 
period equaling at least one and one-half FTE. This would give State 
homes more flexibility in hiring social workers and ensure that 
veterans in all State homes receive roughly the same amount of social 
work services.

Resident Assessment

    Current Sec.  51.110 (introductory text) requires facility 
management to ``conduct initially, annually and as required by a change 
in the resident's condition a comprehensive, accurate, standardized, 
reproducible assessment of each resident's functional capability.'' 
Current Sec.  51.110(b)(3) also requires quarterly reassessments.
    Current Sec.  51.110(b)(1)(i) requires officials conducting such 
assessments, among other things, to use the Health Care Financing 
Administration Long Term Care Resident Assessment Instrument Version 
2.0 in conducting the assessment. Current Sec.  51.110(b)(1)(iii) also 
requires all nursing homes to have been in compliance with use of such 
assessment instrument by no later than January 1, 2000. This instrument 
is now called the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) 
Resident Assessment Instrument Minimum Data Set (RAI/MDS), Version 2.0, 
and we propose to amend our regulations to reflect this change. Also, 
we propose to delete the provision requiring compliance by January 1, 
2000, since this requirement has been fully met.
    Also, we propose to require each State home to submit to VA at an 
email address provided by VA to the State home, each assessment 
(initial, annual, change in condition, and quarterly) using the CMS 
assessment instrument described above within 30 days after completion 
of the instrument. This is the best method for VA to monitor whether 
adequate care is being provided to residents. Also, it appears that 30 
days after completion provides ample time for the submissions to VA.

Physical Environment

    Current Sec.  51.200 requires State home facilities to meet certain 
provisions of the National Fire Protection Association's NFPA 101, Life 
Safety Code (1997 edition) and the NFPA 99, Standard for Health Care 
Facilities (1996 edition). These documents are incorporated by 
reference in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 
CFR Part 51. We propose to change the regulations to update these 
documents to refer to the current editions of the NFPA code and 
standard. This change will assure that State home facilities meet 
current industry-wide standards regarding life safety and fire safety. 
We will again request approval of the incorporation by reference from 
the Office of the Federal Register.
    These materials for which we are seeking incorporation by reference 
are available for inspection by appointment (call (202) 461-4902 for an 
appointment) at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of 
Regulation Policy and Management, Room 1063B, 810 Vermont Avenue , NW., 
Washington, DC 20420 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday 
through Friday (except holidays). They are also available at the 
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on 
the availability of these materials at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go 
to: https://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_
regulations/ibr_locations.html. In addition, copies may be obtained 
from the National Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park. Box 
9101, Quincy, MA 02269-9101. (For ordering information, call toll-free 
1-800-344-3555.)

Unfunded Mandates

    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 requires, at 2 U.S.C. 
1532, that agencies prepare an assessment of anticipated costs and 
benefits before issuing any rule that may result in an expenditure by 
State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the 
private sector, of $100 million or more (adjusted annually for 
inflation) in any given year. This rule will have no such effect on 
State, local, and tribal governments, or on the private sector.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) assigns a control number 
for each collection of information it approves. Except for emergency 
approvals under 44 U.S.C. 3507(j), VA may not conduct or sponsor, and a 
person is not required to respond to, a collection of information 
unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
    Proposed Sec. Sec.  51.43, 58.11, 58.13, and 58.18 contain 
collections of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(44 U.S.C. 3501-3521). These regulations set forth a mechanism for 
State homes to obtain a per diem as well as drugs and medicines.
    The proposed rule at Sec.  51.110 contains a collection of 
information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-
3521). VA has already obtained OMB clearance for the use of Minimum 
Data Sets (initial, annual, significant change in condition, and 
quarterly) (OMB control Number xxxxx). However, the proposed rule would 
require such Minimum Data Sets to be electronically transmitted to VA.
    Accordingly, under section 3507(d) of the Act, VA has submitted a 
copy of this rulemaking action to OMB for its review of the collection 
of information.
    Comments on the collections of information contained in this rule 
should be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget, Attention: 
Desk Officer for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, Washington, DC 20503, with copies 
sent by mail or hand delivery to the Director, Regulations Management 
(02REG), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Ave., NW, Room 
1068, Washington, DC 20420; fax to (202) 273-9026; or e-mail comments 
through https://www.Regulations.gov. Comments should indicate that they 
are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AM97.''
    We are requesting comments on the collection of information 
provisions contained in Sec. Sec.  51.43, 58.11, 58.13, 58.18, and 
51.110. Comments must be submitted by December 29, 2008.
    Title: Submission of VA Form 10-10EZR.
    Summary of collection of information: Proposed Sec.  51.43 would 
allow the use of VA Form 10-10EZR instead of VA Form 10-10EZ in 
appropriate cases.
    Description of the need for information and proposed use of 
information: This information is needed for VA to determine veteran 
eligibility for per diem.
    Description of likely respondents: State homes receiving per diem 
for

[[Page 72404]]

providing nursing home care to eligible veterans.
    Estimated number of respondents per year: 127.
    Estimated frequency of responses per year: 4,000.
    Estimated total annual reporting and recordkeeping burden: 1,600 
hours.
    Estimated annual burden per collection: 24 minutes.

    Title: Submission of VA Form 10-5588.
    Summary of collection of information: Proposed Sec.  58.11 would 
revise VA Form 10-5588 for State homes to obtain Federal aid.
    Description of the need for information and proposed use of 
information: This information is needed for VA to determine how much to 
pay State homes.
    Description of likely respondents: State homes receiving per diem 
for providing nursing home care to eligible veterans.
    Estimated number of respondents per year: 124.
    Estimated frequency of responses per year: 1,488.
    Estimated total annual reporting and recordkeeping burden: 1,488 
hours.
    Estimated annual burden per collection: 1 hour.

    Title: Submission of VA Form 10-10SH.
    Summary of collection of information: Proposed Sec.  58.13 would 
revise VA Form 10-10SH concerning medical certifications required for 
eligibility for Federal aid.
    Description of the need for information and proposed use of 
information: This information is needed for VA to determine eligibility 
for paying State homes.
    Description of likely respondents: State homes receiving per diem 
for providing nursing home care to eligible veterans.
    Estimated number of respondents per year: 127.
    Estimated frequency of responses per year: 5,000.
    Estimated total annual reporting and recordkeeping burden: 2,500 
hours.
    Estimated annual burden per collection: 30 minutes.

    Title: Submission of VA Form 10-0460.
    Summary of collection of information: Proposed Sec.  58.18 would 
establish VA Form 10-0460 concerning drugs and medicines for eligible 
veterans.
    Description of the need for information and proposed use of 
information: This information is needed for VA to determine which 
veterans are eligible for drugs and medicines.
    Description of likely respondents: State homes requesting drugs and 
medicines for eligible veterans.
    Estimated number of respondents per year: 420.
    Estimated frequency of responses per year: 420.
    Estimated total annual reporting and recordkeeping burden: 105 
hours.
    Estimated annual burden per collection: 15 minutes.

    Title: Submission of assessments.
    Summary of collection of information: Proposed Sec.  51.110 
contains provisions regarding electronic submission to VA of copies of 
each assessment using the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services 
(CMS) Resident Assessment Instrument Minimum Data Set, Version 2.0.
    Description of the need for information and proposed use of 
information: This information is needed for VA to monitor whether 
adequate care is being provided to residents.
    Description of likely respondents: State homes receiving per diem 
for providing nursing home care to eligible veterans.
    Estimated number of respondents per year: 119.
    Estimated frequency of responses per year: 72,000.
    Estimated total annual reporting and recordkeeping burden: 36,000 
hours.
    Estimated annual burden per collection: 30 minutes.
    The Department considers comments by the public on collections of 
information in--
     Evaluating whether the collections of information are 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the 
Department, including whether the information will have practical 
utility;
     Evaluating the accuracy of the Department's estimate of 
the burden of the collections of information, including the validity of 
the methodology and assumptions used;
     Enhancing the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     Minimizing the burden of the collections of information on 
those who are to respond, including responses through the use of 
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., 
permitting electronic submission of responses.

Comment Period

    VA believes, based upon its many contacts with interested members 
of the public including the families of veterans in State homes, State 
veterans' homes and State departments of veterans affairs, and members 
of Congress, that there is strong interest in implementation of this 
rule as soon as possible. VA is aware of the many veterans and State 
nursing homes that will be assisted by the adoption of this rule. In 
order to implement the legislation and benefit these homes and veterans 
as quickly as possible, it is very important that VA takes action as 
soon as practicable. Accordingly, VA has determined that it would not 
be in the public interest to provide a 60-day comment period for this 
proposed rule and has instead specified that comments must be received 
within 30 days of publication in the Federal Register.

Executive Order 12866

    Executive Order 12866 directs agencies to assess all costs and 
benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, when regulation is 
necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits 
(including potential economic, environmental, public health and safety, 
and other advantages; distributive impacts; and equity). The Executive 
Order classifies a ``significant regulatory action'' requiring review 
by OMB, as any regulatory action that is likely to result in a rule 
that may: (1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or 
more or adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the 
economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public 
health or safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or 
communities; (2) create a serious inconsistency or interfere with an 
action taken or planned by another agency; (3) materially alter the 
budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs 
or the rights and obligations of entitlement recipients; (4) raise 
novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal mandates, the 
President's priorities, or the principles set forth in Executive Order.
    The economic, interagency, budgetary, legal, and policy 
implications of this proposed rule have been examined and it has been 
determined to be a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 
12866 because it may result in a rule that raises novel legal or policy 
issues arising out of legal mandates, the President's priorities, or 
the principles set forth in the Executive Order.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Secretary hereby certifies that this regulatory amendment will 
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities as they are defined in the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 
U.S.C. 601-612. This

[[Page 72405]]

rulemaking will affect veterans, State homes, and pharmacies. The State 
homes that are subject to this rulemaking are State government entities 
under the control of State governments. All State homes are owned, 
operated and managed by State governments except for a small number 
that are operated by entities under contract with State governments. 
These contractors are not small entities. Also, this rulemaking will 
have only an insignificant impact on a small number pharmacies that 
could be considered small entities. Therefore, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 
605(b), this amendment is exempt from the initial and final regulatory 
flexibility analysis requirements of sections 603 and 604.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance numbers and titles for 
the programs affected by this document are 64.005, Grants to States for 
Construction of State Home Facilities; 64.007, Blind Rehabilitation 
Centers; 64.008, Veterans Domiciliary Care; 64.009, Veterans Medical 
Care Benefits; 64.010, Veterans Nursing Home Care; 64.011, Veterans 
Dental Care; 64.012, Veterans Prescription Service; 64.013, Veterans 
Prosthetic Appliances; 64.014, Veterans State Domiciliary Care; 64.015, 
Veterans State Nursing Home Care; 64.016, Veterans State Hospital Care; 
64.018, Sharing Specialized Medical Resources; 64.019, Veterans 
Rehabilitation Alcohol and Drug Dependence; 64.022, Veterans Home Based 
Primary Care; and 64.026, Veterans State Adult Day Health Care.

List of Subjects in 38 CFR Parts 51 and 58

    Administrative practice and procedure, Claims, Day care, Dental 
health, Government contracts, Grant programs-health, Grant programs-
veterans, Health care, Health facilities, Health professions, Health 
records, Mental health programs, Nursing homes, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Travel and transportation expenses, 
Veterans.

    Approved: September 17, 2008.
Gordon H. Mansfield,
Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, we propose to amend 38 
CFR parts 51 and 58 as follows:

PART 51--PER DIEM FOR NURSING HOME CARE OF VETERANS IN STATE HOMES

    1. The authority citation for part 51 is revised to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1741-1743, 1745.

    2. Amend part 51 by removing the phrase ``Geriatrics and Extended 
Care Strategic Healthcare Group'' each place it appears and adding, in 
its place, ``Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care''.

Subpart A--General

    3. Amend Sec.  51.2 by revising the definitions of the terms 
``Clinical nurse specialist'' and ``Nurse practitioner'' to read as 
follows:


Sec.  51.2  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Clinical nurse specialist means a licensed professional nurse who 
has a Master's degree in nursing with a major in a clinical nursing 
specialty from an academic program accredited by the National League 
for Nursing and who is certified by a nationally recognized 
credentialing body (such as the National League for Nursing, the 
American Nurses Credentialing Center, or the Commission on Collegiate 
Nursing Education).
* * * * *
    Nurse practitioner means a licensed professional nurse who is 
currently licensed to practice in the State; who meets the State's 
requirements governing the qualifications of nurse practitioners; and 
who is currently certified as an adult, family, or gerontological nurse 
practitioner by a nationally recognized body that provides such 
certification for nurse practitioners, such as the American Nurses 
Credentialing Center or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
* * * * *

Subpart B--Obtaining Per Diem for Nursing Home Care in State Homes

    4. Amend Sec.  51.20 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:


Sec.  51.20  Application for recognition based on certification.

* * * * *
    (a) Send a request for recognition and certification to the Chief 
Consultant, Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care (114), VA Central 
Office, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420. The request must 
be in the form of a letter and must be signed by the State official 
authorized to establish the State home;
* * * * *
    5. Amend Sec.  51.30 as follows:
    a. Revise paragraph (a)(1).
    b. Revise paragraphs (d), (e), and (f).
    The revision and addition read as follows:


Sec.  51.30  Recognition and certification.

    (a)(1) The Under Secretary for Health will make the determination 
regarding recognition and the initial determination regarding 
certification, after receipt of a recommendation from the director of 
the VA medical center of jurisdiction regarding whether, based on a VA 
survey, the facility and facility management meet or do not meet the 
standards of subpart D of this part. The recognition survey will be 
conducted only after the new facility has at least 21 residents or the 
number of residents consists of at least 50 percent of the new bed 
capacity of the facility.
* * * * *
    (d) If, during the process for recognition and certification, the 
director of the VA medical center of jurisdiction recommends that the 
State home facility or facility management does not meet the standards 
of this part or if, after recognition and certification have been 
granted, the director of the VA medical center of jurisdiction 
determines that the State home facility or facility management does not 
meet the standards of this part, the director will notify the State 
home facility in writing of the standards not met. The director will 
send a copy of this notice to the State official authorized to oversee 
operations of the facility, the VA Network Director (10N 1-22), the 
Chief Network Officer (10N), and the Chief Consultant, Geriatrics and 
Extended Care Strategic Healthcare Group (114). The letter will include 
the reasons for the recommendation or decision and indicate that the 
State has the right to appeal the recommendation or decision.
    (e) The State must submit the appeal to the Under Secretary for 
Health in writing, within 30 days of receipt of the notice of the 
recommendation or decision regarding the failure to meet the standards. 
In its appeal, the State must explain why the recommendation or 
determination is inaccurate or incomplete and provide any new and 
relevant information not previously considered. Any appeal that does 
not identify a reason for disagreement will be returned to the sender 
without further consideration.
    (f) After reviewing the matter, including any relevant supporting 
documentation, the Under Secretary for Health will issue a written 
determination that affirms or reverses the previous recommendation or 
determination. If the Under Secretary for Health decides that the 
facility does not meet the standards of subpart D of this part, the 
Under Secretary for Health will withdraw recognition and stop

[[Page 72406]]

paying per diem for care provided on and after the date of the decision 
(or not grant recognition and certification and not pay per diem if the 
appeal occurs during the recognition process). The decision of the 
Under Secretary for Health will constitute a final VA decision. The 
Under Secretary for Health will send a copy of this decision to the 
State home facility and to the State official authorized to oversee the 
operations of the State home.
* * * * *

Subpart C--Per Diem Payments

    6. Revise Sec.  51.40 to read as follows:


Sec.  51.40  Basic per diem.

    Except as provided in Sec.  51.41 of this part,
    (a) During Fiscal Year 2008 VA will pay a facility recognized as a 
State home for nursing home care the lesser of the following for 
nursing home care provided to an eligible veteran in such facility:
    (1) One-half of the cost of the care for each day the veteran is in 
the facility; or
    (2) $71.42 for each day the veteran is in the facility.
    (b) During Fiscal Year 2009 and during each subsequent Fiscal Year, 
VA will pay a facility recognized as a State home for nursing home care 
the lesser of the following for nursing home care provided to an 
eligible veteran in such facility:
    (1) One-half of the cost of the care for each day the veteran is in 
the facility; or
    (2) The basic per diem rate for the Fiscal Year established by VA 
in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 1741(c).

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1741-1744)


    7. Amend part 51 by adding new Sec. Sec.  51.41 through 51.43, to 
read as follows:


Sec.  51.41  Per diem for certain veterans based on service-connected 
disabilities.

    (a) VA will pay a facility recognized as a State home for nursing 
home care at the per diem rate determined under paragraph (b) of this 
section for nursing home care provided to an eligible veteran in such 
facility, if the veteran:
    (1) Is in need of nursing home care for a VA adjudicated service-
connected disability, or
    (2) Has a singular or combined rating of 70 percent or more based 
on one or more service-connected disabilities or a rating of total 
disability based on individual unemployability and is in need of 
nursing home care.
    (b) For purposes of paragraph (a) of this section, the rate is the 
lesser of the amount calculated under the paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of 
this section.
    (1) The amount determined by the following formula. Calculate the 
daily rate for the CMS RUG III (resource utilization groups version 
III) 53 case-mix levels for the applicable metropolitan statistical 
area if the facility is in a metropolitan statistical area, and 
calculate the daily rate for the CMS Skilled Nursing Prospective 
Payment System 53 case-mix levels for the applicable rural area if the 
facility is in a rural area. For each of the 53 case-mix levels, the 
daily rate for each State home will be determined by multiplying the 
labor component by the nursing home wage index and then adding to such 
amount the non-labor component and an amount based on the CMS payment 
schedule for physician services. The amount for physician services, 
based on information published by CMS, is the average hourly rate for 
all physicians, with the rate modified by the applicable urban or rural 
geographic index for physician work, and then with the modified rate 
multiplied by 12 and then divided by the number of days in the year.

    Note to paragraph (b)(1): The amount calculated under this 
formula reflects the applicable or prevailing rate payable in the 
geographic area in which the State home is located for nursing home 
care furnished in a non-Department nursing home (a public or private 
institution not under the direct jurisdiction of VA which furnishes 
nursing home care).

    (2) A rate not to exceed the daily cost of care for the month in 
the State home facility, as determined by the Chief Consultant, Office 
of Geriatrics and Extended Care, following a report to the Chief 
Consultant, Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care under the provisions 
of Sec.  51.43(b) of this part by the director of the State home.
    (c) Payment under this section to a State home for nursing home 
care provided to a veteran constitutes payment in full to the State 
home by VA for such care furnished to that veteran. Also, as a 
condition of receiving payments under this section, the State home must 
agree not to accept drugs and medicines from VA on behalf of veterans 
provided under 38 U.S.C. 1712 (d) and corresponding VA regulations 
(payment under this section includes payment for drugs and medicines).


Sec.  51.42  Drugs and medicines for certain veterans.

    (a) In addition to per diem payments under Sec.  51.40 of this 
part, the Secretary shall furnish drugs and medicines to a facility 
recognized as a State home as may be ordered by prescription of a duly 
licensed physician as specific therapy in the treatment of illness or 
injury for a veteran receiving care in a State home, if:
    (1) The veteran:
    (i) Has a singular or combined rating of less than 50 percent based 
on one or more service-connected disabilities and is in need of such 
drugs and medicines for a service-connected disability; and
    (ii) Is in need of nursing home care for reasons that do not 
include care for a VA adjudicated service-connected disability, or
    (2) The veteran:
    (i) Has a singular or combined rating of 50 or 60 percent based on 
one or more service-connected disabilities and is in need of such drugs 
and medicines; and
    (ii) Is in need of nursing home care for reasons that do not 
include care for a VA adjudicated service-connected disability.
    (b) VA may furnish a drug or medicine under paragraph (a) of this 
section only if the drug or medicine is included on VA's National 
Formulary, unless VA determines a non-Formulary drug or medicine is 
medically necessary.
    (c) VA may furnish a drug or medicine under paragraph (a) of this 
section by having the drug or medicine delivered to the State home in 
which the veteran resides by mail or other means determined by VA.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1741-1744)

Sec.  51.43  Per diem and drugs and medicines--principles.

    (a) As a condition for receiving payment of per diem under this 
part, the State home must submit to the VA medical center of 
jurisdiction for each veteran a completed VA Form 10-10EZ, Application 
for Medical Benefits (or VA Form 10-10EZR, Health Benefits Renewal 
Form, if a completed Form 10-10EZ is already on file at VA), and a 
completed VA Form 10-10SH, State Home Program Application for Care--
Medical Certification. These VA Forms must be submitted at the time of 
admission and with any request for a change in the level of care 
(domiciliary, hospital care or adult day health care). In case the 
level of care has changed or contact information is outdated, VA Forms 
10-10EZ and 10-10EZR are set forth in full at Sec.  58.12 and VA Form 
10-10SH is set forth in full at Sec.  58.13. If the facility is 
eligible to receive per diem payments for a veteran, VA will pay per 
diem under this part from the date of receipt of the completed forms 
required by this paragraph, except that VA will pay per diem from the 
day on which the

[[Page 72407]]

veteran was admitted to the facility if the completed forms are 
received within 10 days after admission.
    (b) VA pays per diem on a monthly basis. To receive payment, the 
State must submit to the VA medical center of jurisdiction a completed 
VA Form 10-5588, State Home Report and Statement of Federal Aid 
Claimed. This form is set forth in full at Sec.  58.11 of this part.
    (c) Per diem will be paid under Sec. Sec.  51.40 and 51.41 for each 
day that the veteran is receiving care and has an overnight stay. Per 
diem will be paid when there is no overnight stay if the veteran has 
resided in the facility for 30 consecutive days (including overnight 
stays) and the facility has an occupancy rate of 90 percent or greater. 
These payments will be made only for the first 10 consecutive days 
during which the veteran is admitted as a patient in a VA or other 
hospital (this could occur more than once in a calendar year) and only 
for the first 12 days in a calendar year during which the veteran is 
absent for purposes other than receiving hospital care.
    (d) Initial per diem payments will not be made until the Under 
Secretary for Health recognizes the State home. However, per diem 
payments will be made retroactively for care that was provided on and 
after the date of the completion of the VA survey of the facility that 
provided the basis for determining that the facility met the standards 
of this part.
    (e) The daily cost of care for an eligible veteran's nursing home 
care for purposes of Sec. Sec.  51.40(a)(1) and 51.41(b)(2) consists of 
those direct and indirect costs attributable to nursing home care at 
the facility divided by the total number of residents at the nursing 
home. Relevant cost principles are set forth in the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) Circular number A-87, dated May 4, 1995, 
``Cost Principles for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments.''

 (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1741-1744).


    (f) As a condition for receiving drugs and medicines under this 
part, the State must submit to the VA medical center of jurisdiction a 
completed VA Form 10-0460 for each eligible veteran. This form is set 
forth in full at Sec.  58.18 of this part. The corresponding 
prescriptions described in Sec.  51.42 also should be submitted to the 
VA medical center of jurisdiction.

Subpart D--Standards


Sec.  51.70  [Amended]

    8. Amend Sec.  51.70, in paragraph (c)(5), by removing ``30 days'' 
and adding, in its place, ``90 calendar days''.
    9. Amend Sec.  51.100, by revising paragraph (h)(2) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  51.100  Quality of life.

* * * * *
    (h) * * *
    (2) For each 100 beds, a nursing home must employ one or more 
qualified social workers who work for a total period that equals at 
least the work time of one full-time employee (FTE). A State home that 
has more or less than 100 beds must provide qualified social worker 
services on a proportionate basis (for example, a nursing home with 50 
beds must employ one or more qualified social workers who work for a 
total period equaling at least one-half FTE and a nursing home with 150 
beds must employ qualified social workers who work for a total period 
equaling at least one and one-half FTE).
* * * * *
    10. Amend Sec.  51.110 by:
    a. Revising paragraph (b)(1)(i).
    b. Removing paragraph (b)(1)(iii).
    c. Redesignating paragraphs (d) and (e) as paragraphs (e) and (f), 
respectively.
    d. Adding a new paragraph (d).
    The revision and addition read as follows:


Sec.  51.110  Resident assessment.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (i) Using the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) 
Resident Assessment Instrument Minimum Data Set, Version 2.0; and
* * * * *
    (d) Submission of assessments. Each assessment (initial, annual, 
change in condition, and quarterly) using the Centers for Medicare and 
Medicaid Services (CMS) Resident Assessment Instrument Minimum Data 
Set, Version 2.0 must be electronically submitted to VA at the email 
address provided by VA to the State within 30 days after completion of 
the assessment document.
* * * * *


Sec.  51.200  [Amended]

    11. Amend Sec.  51.200, by:
    a. Removing the phrase ``(1997 edition)'' each place it appears and 
adding, in its place, ``(2006 edition)''; and
    b. Removing the phrase ``(1996 edition)'' each place it appears and 
adding, in its place, ``(2006 edition)''.

PART 58--FORMS

    12. The authority citation for part 58 is revised to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1741-1743, 1745.

    13. Amend Sec.  58.11 by revising VA Form 10-5588 to read as 
follows:


Sec.  58.11  VA Form 10-5588--State Home Report and Statement of 
Federal Aid Claimed

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    14. Revise Sec.  58.12 to read as follows:


Sec.  58.12  VA Forms 10-10EZ and 10-10EZR--Application for Health 
Benefits and Renewal Form.
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    15. Amend Sec.  58.13 by revising VA Form 10-10SH to read as 
follows:


Sec.  58.13  VA Form 10-10SH--State Home Program Application for 
Veteran Care Medical Certification.
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[[Page 72419]]


    16. Add Sec.  58.18 to read as follows:


Sec.  58.18  VA Form 10-0460--Request for Prescription Drugs from an 
Eligible Veteran in a State Home
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[[Page 72421]]


 [FR Doc. E8-28171 Filed 11-26-08; 8:45 am]
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