Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Application From American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities for Continued Approval of Its Ambulatory Surgery Facilities Accreditation Program, 37678-37680 [2012-15293]
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37678
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 121 / Friday, June 22, 2012 / Notices
Dated: June 15, 2012.
Ron A. Otten,
Director, Office of Scientific Integrity (OSI),
Office of the Associate Director for Science
(OADS), Office of the Director, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services
[CMS–3262–PN]
[FR Doc. 2012–15354 Filed 6–21–12; 8:45 am]
Medicare and Medicaid Programs;
Application From American
Association for Accreditation of
Ambulatory Surgery Facilities for
Continued Approval of Its Ambulatory
Surgery Facilities Accreditation
Program
BILLING CODE 4163–18–P
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention
Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services, HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
Board of Scientific Counselors,
National Center for Environmental
Health/Agency for Toxic Substances
and Disease Registry: Notice of
Charter Renewal
This gives notice under the Federal
Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92–
463) of October 6, 1972, that the Board
of Scientific Counselors, National
Center for Environmental Health/
Agency for Toxic Substances and
Disease Registry, Department of Health
and Human Services, has been renewed
for a 2-year period through May 21,
2014.
For information, contact Vikas Kapil,
Designated Federal Officer, Board of
Scientific Counselors, National Center
for Environmental Health/Agency for
Toxic Substances and Disease Registry,
Department of Health and Human
Services, 4770 Buford Highway
Mailstop F61, Chamblee, Georgia 30341,
telephone 770/488–8316 or fax 770/
488–3385.
The Director, Management Analysis
and Services Office, has been delegated
the authority to sign Federal Register
notices pertaining to announcements of
meetings and other committee
management activities, for both the
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention and the Agency for Toxic
Substances and Disease Registry.
Dated: June 13, 2012.
Elaine L. Baker,
Director, Management Analysis and Services
Office, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention.
wreier-aviles on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
[FR Doc. 2012–14923 Filed 6–21–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163–18–P
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Jkt 226001
This proposed notice with
comment period acknowledges the
receipt of an application from the
American Association for Accreditation
of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities
(AAAASF) for continued recognition as
a national accrediting organization for
ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) wish
to participate in the Medicare or
Medicaid programs.
DATES: To be assured consideration,
comments must be received at one of
the addresses provided below, no later
than 5 p.m. on July 23, 2012.
ADDRESSES: In commenting, please refer
to file code CMS–3262–PN. Because of
staff and resource limitations, we cannot
accept comments by facsimile (Fax)
transmission.
You may submit comments in one of
four ways (please choose only one of the
ways listed):
1. Electronically. You may submit
electronic comments on this regulation
to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow
the ‘‘Submit a comment’’ instructions.
2. By regular mail. You may mail
written comments to the following
address ONLY: Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services, Department of
Health and Human Services, Attention:
CMS–3262–PN, P.O. Box 8010,
Baltimore, MD 21244–8010.
Please allow sufficient time for mailed
comments to be received before the
close of the comment period.
3. By express or overnight mail. You
may send written comments to the
following address ONLY: Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services,
Department of Health and Human
Services, Attention: CMS–3262–PN,
Mail Stop C4–26–05, 7500 Security
Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244–1850.
4. By hand or courier. If you prefer,
you may deliver (by hand or courier)
your written comments before the close
of the comment period to either of the
following addresses:
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00027
Fmt 4703
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a. For delivery in Washington, DC—
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services, Department of Health and
Human Services, Room 445–G, Hubert
H. Humphrey Building, 200
Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20201.
(Because access to the interior of the
Hubert H. Humphrey Building is not
readily available to persons without
Federal government identification,
commenters are encouraged to leave
their comments in the CMS drop slots
located in the main lobby of the
building. A stamp-in clock is available
for persons wishing to retain a proof of
filing by stamping in and retaining an
extra copy of the comments being filed.)
b. For delivery in Baltimore, MD—
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services, Department of Health and
Human Services, 7500 Security
Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244–1850.
If you intend to deliver your
comments to the Baltimore address,
please call telephone number (410) 786–
7195 in advance to schedule your
arrival with one of our staff members.
Comments mailed to the addresses
indicated as appropriate for hand or
courier delivery may be delayed and
received after the comment period.
For information on viewing public
comments, see the beginning of the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Georganne Kuberski, (410) 786–0799.
Patricia Chmielewski, (410) 786–6899.
Cindy Melanson, (410) 786–0310.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Inspection of Public Comments: All
comments received before the close of
the comment period are available for
viewing by the public, including any
personally identifiable or confidential
business information that is included in
a comment. We post all comments
received before the close of the
comment period on the following Web
site as soon as possible after they have
been received: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the search
instructions on that Web site to view
public comments.
Comments received timely will also
be available for public inspection as
they are received, generally beginning
approximately 3 weeks after publication
of a document, at the headquarters of
the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services, 7500 Security Boulevard,
Baltimore, Maryland 21244, Monday
through Friday of each week from 8:30
a.m. to 4 p.m. To schedule an
appointment to view public comments,
phone 1–800–743–3951.
E:\FR\FM\22JNN1.SGM
22JNN1
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 121 / Friday, June 22, 2012 / Notices
wreier-aviles on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
I. Background
Under the Medicare program, eligible
beneficiaries may receive covered
services in an ambulatory surgery center
(ASC) that meet certain requirements.
Section 1832(a)(2)(F)(i) of the Social
Security Act (the Act) establishes
distinct criteria for facilities seeking
designation as an ASC. Regulations
concerning provider agreements are at
42 CFR part 489 and those pertaining to
activities relating to the survey and
certification of facilities are at 42 CFR
part 488. The regulations at 42 CFR part
416 specify the conditions that an ASC
must meet in order to participate in the
Medicare program, the scope of covered
services, and the conditions for
Medicare payment for ASCs.
Generally, in order to enter into an
agreement, an ASC must first be
certified by a State survey agency as
complying with the conditions or
requirements set forth in part 416.
Thereafter, the ASC is subject to regular
surveys by a State survey agency to
determine whether it continues to meet
these requirements. However, ASC’s
have an alternative to surveys by State
agencies for participation in the
Medicare program.
Section 1865(a)(1) of the Act provides
that, if a provider entity demonstrates
through accreditation by an approved
national accrediting organization that all
applicable Medicare conditions are met
or exceeded, we would deem those
provider entities as having met the
requirements. Accreditation by an
accrediting organization is voluntary
and is not required for Medicare
participation.
If an accrediting organization is
recognized by the Secretary as having
standards for accreditation that meet or
exceed Medicare requirements, any
provider entity accredited by the
national accrediting body’s approved
program would be deemed to have met
the Medicare conditions. A national
accrediting organization applying for
approval of its accreditation program
under part 488, subpart A, must provide
us with reasonable assurance that the
accrediting organization requires the
accredited provider entities to meet
requirements that are at least as
stringent as the Medicare conditions.
Our regulations concerning the approval
of accrediting organizations are set forth
at § 488.4 and § 488.8(d)(3). The
regulations at § 488.8(d)(3) require
accrediting organizations to reapply for
continued approval of its accreditation
program every 6 years or as determined
by CMS.
American Association for
Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery
VerDate Mar<15>2010
15:20 Jun 21, 2012
Jkt 226001
Facilities (AAAASF’s) current term of
approval for their ASC accreditation
program expires November 27, 2012.
II. Approval of Deeming Organizations
Section 1865(a)(2) of the Act and our
regulations at § 488.8(a) require that our
findings concerning review and
approval of a national accrediting
organization’s requirements consider,
among other factors, the applying
accrediting organization’s:
Requirements for accreditation; survey
procedures; resources for conducting
required surveys; capacity to furnish
information for use in enforcement
activities; monitoring procedures for
provider entities found not in
compliance with the conditions or
requirements; and ability to provide
CMS with the necessary data for
validation.
Section 1865(a)(3)(A) of the Act
further requires that we publish, within
60 days of receipt of an organization’s
complete application, a notice
identifying the national accrediting
body making the request, describing the
nature of the request, and providing at
least a 30-day public comment period.
We have 210 days from the receipt of a
complete application to publish notice
of approval or denial of the application.
The purpose of this proposed notice
is to inform the public of AAAASF’s
request for continued approval of its
ASC accreditation program. This notice
also solicits public comment on whether
AAAASF’s requirements meet or exceed
the Medicare conditions for
participation for ASCs.
III. Evaluation of Deeming Authority
Request
AAAASF submitted all the necessary
materials to enable us to make a
determination concerning its request for
continued approval of its ASC
accreditation program. This application
was determined to be complete on April
27, 2012. Section 1865(a)(3)(A) of the
Act, requires that within 60 days of
receipt of an organization’s complete
application to be a CMS-approved
accrediting organization, we publish a
notice that identifies the national
accrediting body making the request,
describes the nature of the request, and
provides at least a 30-day public
comment period. Under section
1865(a)(2) of the Act and our regulations
at § 488.8 (Federal review of accrediting
organizations), our review and
evaluation of AAAASF would be
conducted in accordance with, but not
necessarily limited to, the following
factors:
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37679
• The equivalency of AAAASF’s
standards for an ASC as compared with
CMS’ conditions for coverage.
• AAAASF’s survey process to
determine the following:
+ The composition of the survey team,
surveyor qualifications, and the ability
of the organization to provide
continuing surveyor training.
+ The comparability of AAAASF’s
processes to those of State agencies,
including survey frequency, and the
ability to investigate and respond
appropriately to complaints against
accredited facilities.
• AAAASF’s processes and
procedures for monitoring an ASC
found out of compliance with
AAAASF’s program requirements.
These monitoring procedures are used
only when AAAASF identifies
noncompliance. If noncompliance is
identified through validation reviews or
complaint surveys, the State survey
agency monitors corrections as specified
at § 488.7(d).
• AAAASF’s capacity to report
deficiencies to the surveyed facilities
and respond to the facility’s plan of
correction in a timely manner.
• AAAASF’s capacity to provide CMS
with electronic data and reports
necessary for effective validation and
assessment of the organization’s survey
process.
• The adequacy of AAAASF’s staff
and other resources, and its financial
viability.
• AAAASF’s capacity to adequately
fund required surveys.
• AAAASF’s policies with respect to
whether surveys are announced or
unannounced, to assure that surveys are
unannounced.
• AAAASF’s agreement to provide
CMS with a copy of the most current
accreditation survey, together with any
other information related to the survey
as we may require (including corrective
action plans).
IV. Collection of Information
Requirements
This document does not impose
information collection and
recordkeeping requirements.
Consequently, it need not be reviewed
by the Office of Management and
Budget under the authority of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. 35).
V. Response to Public Comments
Because of the large number of public
comments we normally receive on
Federal Register documents, we are not
able to acknowledge or respond to them
individually. We will consider all
comments we receive by the date and
E:\FR\FM\22JNN1.SGM
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37680
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 121 / Friday, June 22, 2012 / Notices
time specified in the DATES section of
this preamble, and, when we proceed
with a subsequent document, we will
respond to the comments in the
preamble to that document.
Upon completion of our evaluation,
including evaluation of comments
received as a result of this notice, we
will publish a final notice in the Federal
Register announcing the result of our
evaluation.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
Program No. 93.778, Medical Assistance
Program; No. 93.773 Medicare—Hospital
Insurance Program; and No. 93.774,
Medicare—Supplementary Medical
Insurance Program)
Dated: June 12, 2012.
Marilyn Tavenner,
Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare
& Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 2012–15293 Filed 6–21–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services
[CMS–3265–PN]
Medicare and Medicaid Programs;
Application From the Accreditation
Association for Ambulatory Health
Care for Continued Approval of Its
Ambulatory Surgical Centers
Accreditation Program
Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services, HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
This proposed notice
acknowledges the receipt of an
application from the Accreditation
Association for Ambulatory Health Care
for continued recognition as a national
accrediting organization for ambulatory
surgical centers that participate in the
Medicare or Medicaid programs. This
notice also solicits public comment on
whether AAAHC’s requirements meet or
exceed the Medicare conditions for
coverage.
DATES: To be assured consideration,
comments must be received at one of
the addresses provided below, no later
than 5 p.m. on July 23, 2012.
ADDRESSES: In commenting, please refer
to file code CMS–3265–PN. Because of
staff and resource limitations, we cannot
accept comments by facsimile (FAX)
transmission.
You may submit comments in one of
four ways (please choose only one of the
ways listed):
1. Electronically. You may submit
electronic comments on this regulation
wreier-aviles on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
15:20 Jun 21, 2012
Jkt 226001
to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow
the ‘‘Submit a comment’’ instructions.
2. By regular mail. You may mail
written comments (one original and two
copies) to the following address ONLY:
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services, Department of Health and
Human Services, Attention: CMS–3265–
PN, P.O. Box 8016, Baltimore, MD
21244–8016.
Please allow sufficient time for mailed
comments to be received before the
close of the comment period.
3. By express or overnight mail. You
may send written comments (one
original and two copies) to the following
address ONLY: Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services, Department of
Health and Human Services, Attention:
CMS–3265–PN, Mail Stop C4–26–05,
7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD
21244–1850.
4. By hand or courier. If you prefer,
you may deliver (by hand or courier)
your written comments before the close
of the comment period to either of the
following addresses:
a. For delivery in Washington, DC—
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services, Department of Health and
Human Services, Room 445–G, Hubert
H. Humphrey Building, 200
Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20201.
(Because access to the interior of the
Hubert H. Humphrey Building is not
readily available to persons without
Federal government identification,
commenters are encouraged to leave
their comments in the CMS drop slots
located in the main lobby of the
building. A stamp-in clock is available
for persons wishing to retain a proof of
filing by stamping in and retaining an
extra copy of the comments being filed.)
b. For delivery in Baltimore, MD—
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services, Department of Health and
Human Services, 7500 Security
Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244–1850.
If you intend to deliver your
comments to the Baltimore address,
please call telephone number (410) 786–
7195 in advance to schedule your
arrival with one of our staff members.
Comments mailed to the addresses
indicated as appropriate for hand or
courier delivery may be delayed and
received after the comment period.
For information on viewing public
comments, see the beginning of the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lillian Williams (410) 786–8636.
Patricia Chmielewski, (410) 786–6899.
Cindy Melanson, (410) 786–0310.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Inspection
of Public Comments: All comments
PO 00000
Frm 00029
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
received before the close of the
comment period are available for
viewing by the public, including any
personally identifiable or confidential
business information that is included in
a comment. We post all comments
received before the close of the
comment period on the following Web
site as soon as possible after they have
been received: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the search
instructions on that Web site to view
public comments.
Comments received timely will also
be available for public inspection as
they are received, generally beginning
approximately 3 weeks after publication
of a document, at the headquarters of
the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services, 7500 Security Boulevard,
Baltimore, Maryland 21244, Monday
through Friday of each week from
8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. To schedule an
appointment to view public comments,
phone 1–800–743–3951.
I. Background
Under the Medicare program, eligible
beneficiaries may receive covered
services in an ambulatory surgical
center (ASC) provided certain
requirements are met. Section
1832(a)(2)(F)(i) of the Social Security
Act (the Act) requires ASCs to meet
health, safety, and other standards
specified by the Secretary. Regulations
concerning provider agreements are at
42 CFR part 489 and those pertaining to
activities relating to the survey and
certification of facilities are at 42 CFR
part 488. The regulations at 42 CFR part
416 specify the conditions that an ASC
must meet in order to participate in the
Medicare program, the scope of covered
services and the conditions for Medicare
payment for ASCs.
Generally, to enter into an agreement,
an ASC must first be certified by a State
survey agency as complying with the
conditions or requirements set forth in
part 482. Thereafter, the ASC is subject
to regular surveys by a State survey
agency to determine whether it
continues to meet these requirements.
However, there is an alternative to
surveys by state agencies.
Section 1865(a)(1) of the Act provides
that, if a provider entity demonstrates
through accreditation by an approved
national accrediting organization that all
applicable Medicare conditions are met
or exceeded, we would deem those
provider entities as having met the
Medicare requirements. Accreditation
by an accrediting organization is
voluntary and is not required for
Medicare participation.
If an accrediting organization is
recognized by the Secretary as having
E:\FR\FM\22JNN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 121 (Friday, June 22, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37678-37680]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-15293]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
[CMS-3262-PN]
Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Application From American
Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities for
Continued Approval of Its Ambulatory Surgery Facilities Accreditation
Program
AGENCY: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This proposed notice with comment period acknowledges the
receipt of an application from the American Association for
Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF) for continued
recognition as a national accrediting organization for ambulatory
surgery centers (ASCs) wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid
programs.
DATES: To be assured consideration, comments must be received at one of
the addresses provided below, no later than 5 p.m. on July 23, 2012.
ADDRESSES: In commenting, please refer to file code CMS-3262-PN.
Because of staff and resource limitations, we cannot accept comments by
facsimile (Fax) transmission.
You may submit comments in one of four ways (please choose only one
of the ways listed):
1. Electronically. You may submit electronic comments on this
regulation to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the ``Submit a
comment'' instructions.
2. By regular mail. You may mail written comments to the following
address ONLY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of
Health and Human Services, Attention: CMS-3262-PN, P.O. Box 8010,
Baltimore, MD 21244-8010.
Please allow sufficient time for mailed comments to be received
before the close of the comment period.
3. By express or overnight mail. You may send written comments to
the following address ONLY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services,
Department of Health and Human Services, Attention: CMS-3262-PN, Mail
Stop C4-26-05, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.
4. By hand or courier. If you prefer, you may deliver (by hand or
courier) your written comments before the close of the comment period
to either of the following addresses:
a. For delivery in Washington, DC--Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services, Department of Health and Human Services, Room 445-G, Hubert
H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC
20201.
(Because access to the interior of the Hubert H. Humphrey Building
is not readily available to persons without Federal government
identification, commenters are encouraged to leave their comments in
the CMS drop slots located in the main lobby of the building. A stamp-
in clock is available for persons wishing to retain a proof of filing
by stamping in and retaining an extra copy of the comments being
filed.)
b. For delivery in Baltimore, MD--Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services, Department of Health and Human Services, 7500 Security
Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.
If you intend to deliver your comments to the Baltimore address,
please call telephone number (410) 786-7195 in advance to schedule your
arrival with one of our staff members.
Comments mailed to the addresses indicated as appropriate for hand
or courier delivery may be delayed and received after the comment
period.
For information on viewing public comments, see the beginning of
the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Georganne Kuberski, (410) 786-0799.
Patricia Chmielewski, (410) 786-6899.
Cindy Melanson, (410) 786-0310.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Inspection of Public Comments: All comments received before the
close of the comment period are available for viewing by the public,
including any personally identifiable or confidential business
information that is included in a comment. We post all comments
received before the close of the comment period on the following Web
site as soon as possible after they have been received: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the search instructions on that Web site to
view public comments.
Comments received timely will also be available for public
inspection as they are received, generally beginning approximately 3
weeks after publication of a document, at the headquarters of the
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Boulevard,
Baltimore, Maryland 21244, Monday through Friday of each week from 8:30
a.m. to 4 p.m. To schedule an appointment to view public comments,
phone 1-800-743-3951.
[[Page 37679]]
I. Background
Under the Medicare program, eligible beneficiaries may receive
covered services in an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) that meet
certain requirements. Section 1832(a)(2)(F)(i) of the Social Security
Act (the Act) establishes distinct criteria for facilities seeking
designation as an ASC. Regulations concerning provider agreements are
at 42 CFR part 489 and those pertaining to activities relating to the
survey and certification of facilities are at 42 CFR part 488. The
regulations at 42 CFR part 416 specify the conditions that an ASC must
meet in order to participate in the Medicare program, the scope of
covered services, and the conditions for Medicare payment for ASCs.
Generally, in order to enter into an agreement, an ASC must first
be certified by a State survey agency as complying with the conditions
or requirements set forth in part 416. Thereafter, the ASC is subject
to regular surveys by a State survey agency to determine whether it
continues to meet these requirements. However, ASC's have an
alternative to surveys by State agencies for participation in the
Medicare program.
Section 1865(a)(1) of the Act provides that, if a provider entity
demonstrates through accreditation by an approved national accrediting
organization that all applicable Medicare conditions are met or
exceeded, we would deem those provider entities as having met the
requirements. Accreditation by an accrediting organization is voluntary
and is not required for Medicare participation.
If an accrediting organization is recognized by the Secretary as
having standards for accreditation that meet or exceed Medicare
requirements, any provider entity accredited by the national
accrediting body's approved program would be deemed to have met the
Medicare conditions. A national accrediting organization applying for
approval of its accreditation program under part 488, subpart A, must
provide us with reasonable assurance that the accrediting organization
requires the accredited provider entities to meet requirements that are
at least as stringent as the Medicare conditions. Our regulations
concerning the approval of accrediting organizations are set forth at
Sec. 488.4 and Sec. 488.8(d)(3). The regulations at Sec. 488.8(d)(3)
require accrediting organizations to reapply for continued approval of
its accreditation program every 6 years or as determined by CMS.
American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery
Facilities (AAAASF's) current term of approval for their ASC
accreditation program expires November 27, 2012.
II. Approval of Deeming Organizations
Section 1865(a)(2) of the Act and our regulations at Sec. 488.8(a)
require that our findings concerning review and approval of a national
accrediting organization's requirements consider, among other factors,
the applying accrediting organization's: Requirements for
accreditation; survey procedures; resources for conducting required
surveys; capacity to furnish information for use in enforcement
activities; monitoring procedures for provider entities found not in
compliance with the conditions or requirements; and ability to provide
CMS with the necessary data for validation.
Section 1865(a)(3)(A) of the Act further requires that we publish,
within 60 days of receipt of an organization's complete application, a
notice identifying the national accrediting body making the request,
describing the nature of the request, and providing at least a 30-day
public comment period. We have 210 days from the receipt of a complete
application to publish notice of approval or denial of the application.
The purpose of this proposed notice is to inform the public of
AAAASF's request for continued approval of its ASC accreditation
program. This notice also solicits public comment on whether AAAASF's
requirements meet or exceed the Medicare conditions for participation
for ASCs.
III. Evaluation of Deeming Authority Request
AAAASF submitted all the necessary materials to enable us to make a
determination concerning its request for continued approval of its ASC
accreditation program. This application was determined to be complete
on April 27, 2012. Section 1865(a)(3)(A) of the Act, requires that
within 60 days of receipt of an organization's complete application to
be a CMS-approved accrediting organization, we publish a notice that
identifies the national accrediting body making the request, describes
the nature of the request, and provides at least a 30-day public
comment period. Under section 1865(a)(2) of the Act and our regulations
at Sec. 488.8 (Federal review of accrediting organizations), our
review and evaluation of AAAASF would be conducted in accordance with,
but not necessarily limited to, the following factors:
The equivalency of AAAASF's standards for an ASC as
compared with CMS' conditions for coverage.
AAAASF's survey process to determine the following:
+ The composition of the survey team, surveyor qualifications, and
the ability of the organization to provide continuing surveyor
training.
+ The comparability of AAAASF's processes to those of State
agencies, including survey frequency, and the ability to investigate
and respond appropriately to complaints against accredited facilities.
AAAASF's processes and procedures for monitoring an ASC
found out of compliance with AAAASF's program requirements. These
monitoring procedures are used only when AAAASF identifies
noncompliance. If noncompliance is identified through validation
reviews or complaint surveys, the State survey agency monitors
corrections as specified at Sec. 488.7(d).
AAAASF's capacity to report deficiencies to the surveyed
facilities and respond to the facility's plan of correction in a timely
manner.
AAAASF's capacity to provide CMS with electronic data and
reports necessary for effective validation and assessment of the
organization's survey process.
The adequacy of AAAASF's staff and other resources, and
its financial viability.
AAAASF's capacity to adequately fund required surveys.
AAAASF's policies with respect to whether surveys are
announced or unannounced, to assure that surveys are unannounced.
AAAASF's agreement to provide CMS with a copy of the most
current accreditation survey, together with any other information
related to the survey as we may require (including corrective action
plans).
IV. Collection of Information Requirements
This document does not impose information collection and
recordkeeping requirements. Consequently, it need not be reviewed by
the Office of Management and Budget under the authority of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 35).
V. Response to Public Comments
Because of the large number of public comments we normally receive
on Federal Register documents, we are not able to acknowledge or
respond to them individually. We will consider all comments we receive
by the date and
[[Page 37680]]
time specified in the DATES section of this preamble, and, when we
proceed with a subsequent document, we will respond to the comments in
the preamble to that document.
Upon completion of our evaluation, including evaluation of comments
received as a result of this notice, we will publish a final notice in
the Federal Register announcing the result of our evaluation.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.778,
Medical Assistance Program; No. 93.773 Medicare--Hospital Insurance
Program; and No. 93.774, Medicare--Supplementary Medical Insurance
Program)
Dated: June 12, 2012.
Marilyn Tavenner,
Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 2012-15293 Filed 6-21-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P
