Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Survey, Certification and Enforcement Procedures; Extension of Comment Period, 31472 [2013-12462]

Agencies

• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
• DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 101 (Friday, May 24, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 31472]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-12462]



[[Page 31472]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

42 CFR Parts 488 and 489

[CMS-3255-N]


Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Survey, Certification and 
Enforcement Procedures; Extension of Comment Period

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of the comment period.

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SUMMARY: This notice extends the comment period for the Survey, 
Certification and Enforcement Procedures proposed rule, which was 
published in the April 5, 2013 Federal Register (78 FR 20564 through 
20581). In the proposed rule, we proposed to revise the survey, 
certification, and enforcement procedures related to CMS oversight of 
national accreditation organizations (AOs). These revisions would 
implement certain provisions under the Medicare Improvements for 
Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA). The proposed revisions 
would also clarify and strengthen our oversight of AOs that apply for, 
and are granted, recognition and approval of an accreditation program 
in accordance with the Social Security Act. The comment period for the 
proposed rule, which would have ended on June 4, 2013, is extended to 
July 5, 2013.

DATES: The comment period for the proposed rule published in the April 
5, 2013 Federal Register (78 FR 20564 through 20581) is extended to 
July 5, 2013.

ADDRESSES: In commenting, please refer to file code CMS-3255-P. 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. 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-3255-P, 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 to 
the following address only: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 
Department of Health and Human Services, Attention: CMS-3255-P, 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.
    Submission of comments on paperwork requirements. You may submit 
comments on this document's paperwork requirements by following the 
instructions at the end of the ``Collection of Information 
Requirements'' section in this document.
    For information on viewing public comments, see the beginning of 
the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cindy Melanson, (410) 786-0310; 
Patricia Chmielewski, (410) 786-6899; or Marilyn Dahl, (410) 786-8665.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the April 5, 2013 Federal Register (78 FR 
20564 through 20581), we published the Survey, Certification and 
Enforcement Procedures proposed rule that proposed to revise the 
survey, certification, and enforcement procedures related to CMS 
oversight of national accreditation organizations (AOs). These 
revisions would implement certain provisions under MIPPA. The proposed 
revisions would also clarify and strengthen our oversight of AOs that 
apply for, and are granted, recognition and approval of an 
accreditation program in accordance with the Social Security Act.
    Because of the scope of the requested information and inquiries 
received from several industry and professional organizations/
associations regarding the need for additional time to respond to our 
request, we are extending the comment period until July 5, 2013.

    Dated: May 17, 2013.
Marilyn Tavenner,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 2013-12462 Filed 5-23-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P