Medicare Program; Revised Process for Making National Coverage Determinations, 48164-48169 [2013-19060]

Agencies

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

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 152 (Wednesday, August 7, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48164-48169]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-19060]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-3284-N]


Medicare Program; Revised Process for Making National Coverage 
Determinations

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice updates the process we use for opening, deciding 
or reconsidering national coverage determinations (NCDs) under the 
Social Security Act (the Act). It addresses external requests and 
internal reviews for new NCDs or for reconsideration of existing NCDs. 
The notice further outlines an expedited administrative process to 
remove certain NCDs, thereby enabling local Medicare contractors to 
determine coverage under the Act. This notice does not alter or amend 
our regulations that establish rules related to the administrative 
review of NCDs.

DATES: This notice is effective on August 7, 2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Katherine Tillman, (410) 786-9252.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    In a September 26, 2003, Federal Register notice (68 FR 55634), we 
announced our procedures for considering national coverage 
determination (NCD) requests and our procedure for issuing NCDs, 
including the role of external public requests to open an NCD and our 
procedures for internally-generated NCD reviews. As we strive to 
continually improve our processes and in recognition of the changes 
made by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization 
Act of 2003 (MMA) (Pub. L. 108-173, enacted on December 8, 2003), we 
are superseding the 2003 Federal Register notice with this updated 
notice.

II. Provisions of the Notice

    This notice establishes the procedures for requesting an NCD or 
reconsideration of an existing NCD. We also describe how the public may 
participate in the NCD process during the indicated comment period(s). 
The topics addressed in the notice include the following:
     Informal contacts and inquiries prior to requesting a 
national coverage determination.
     What constitutes a complete, formal request for an NCD or 
formal request for reconsideration of an existing NCD.
     External requests for NCDs, including the following:
    ++ Request by an external party for a new NCD.
    ++ Request by an external party for reconsideration of an existing 
NCD.
    ++ Request by an aggrieved party (as defined below) to issue an NCD 
when no NCD exists.
     CMS internally-generated review of NCDs, including the 
following:
    ++ CMS internal review for a new NCD.
    ++ CMS internal review for reconsideration of an existing NCD.
     An expedited process to remove NCDs under certain 
circumstances.
    Based on our experience since 2003 with the current NCD process, we 
are establishing a new procedure to be used in circumstances in which 
we have previously issued an NCD, but have now determined that the NCD 
is no longer needed. Since we would not be establishing a new NCD, we 
would use an expedited process to remove these NCDs. After the 
effective date of the removal of the NCD, local Medicare contractors 
would determine coverage under section 1862(a)(1) of the Act for those 
specific items or services previously addressed through the NCD. We 
describe this process and the opportunity for public participation in 
this process in section IV.C of this notice.
    We are also restating our process for developing an NCD to provide 
clarity and transparency for the public pertaining to modifications 
made to the coverage process since the MMA. As in the 2003 Federal 
Register notice, we will inform the public by addressing the following 
in this notice:
     The internal and external processes for requesting an NCD 
or an NCD reconsideration.
     A tracking system that provides public notice of our 
acceptance of a complete, formal request and subsequent actions in a 
web-based format.
     The process we use to afford notice and opportunity for 
public comment before issuing a decision memorandum.
     How we use public comments to inform the NCD final 
decision.
    We continue to pursue our efforts to work with various sectors of 
the scientific and medical community to develop and publish on our Web 
site documents that describe our approach when analyzing scientific and 
clinical evidence to develop an NCD. The CMS coverage Web site can be 
accessed at

[[Page 48165]]

https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Coverage/CoverageGenInfo/.

III. Medicare Coverage--General Principles

A. Statutory Authority

    The Medicare program was established by Title XVIII of the Act. 
Part A is the hospital insurance program and Part B is the voluntary 
supplementary medical insurance program. The scope of benefits 
available to eligible beneficiaries under Part A and Part B is 
prescribed by law in sections 1812 and 1832 of the Act. Part C, known 
as the Medicare Advantage Program, includes at a minimum, all of the 
items and services available under Part A and Part B to individuals 
enrolled in the plan. On January 1, 2006, Medicare began to cover 
prescription drugs through a new voluntary and privately-administered 
Part D program, established by the MMA. To obtain prescription drug 
coverage, Medicare beneficiaries must take the affirmative step of 
enrolling in a private Medicare Part D plan that is either a stand-
alone prescription drug plan (PDP) or a Medicare Advantage prescription 
drug plan (MA-PD).
    In addition, with relatively few exceptions, the statute provides 
in section 1862(a)(1) of the Act that no payment may be made under Part 
A or Part B for any expenses incurred for items or services which ``are 
not reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of illness 
or injury or to improve the functioning of a malformed body member.'' 
The Supreme Court has recognized that ``[t]he Secretary's decision as 
to whether a particular medical service is `reasonable and necessary' 
and the means by which she implements her decision, whether by 
promulgating a generally applicable rule or by allowing individual 
adjudication, are clearly discretionary decisions.'' Heckler v. Ringer, 
466 U.S. 602, 617 (1984).
    This notice concerns our procedures for making NCDs for items and 
services under Part A or Part B. NCDs serve as generally applicable 
rules to ensure that similar claims for items or services are covered 
in the same manner. Often an NCD is written in terms of defined 
clinical characteristics that identify a population that may or may not 
receive Medicare coverage for a particular item or service. The term 
``national coverage determination'' is defined by statute and means a 
determination by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human 
Services (Secretary) with respect to whether or not a particular item 
or service is covered nationally under Title XVIII of the Act. NCDs are 
controlling authorities for Medicare contractors and adjudicators as 
described more fully in 42 CFR 405.1060.
    In the absence of an NCD, Medicare contractors may establish a 
local coverage determination (LCD) (defined in section 1869(f)(2)(B) of 
the Act) or adjudicate claims on a case-by-case basis. The case-by-case 
adjudicatory model permits consideration of a beneficiary's particular 
factual circumstances described in the medical record. The case-by-case 
model affords more flexibility to consider a particular individual's 
medical condition than is possible when the agency establishes a 
generally applicable rule.

B. Differences Between Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CMS 
Review

    Parties interested in the coverage of a drug or device may contact 
us with an inquiry on Medicare coverage while the particular drug or 
device is proceeding through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 
review process. Since the FDA is charged with regulating whether 
devices or pharmaceuticals are safe and effective for their intended 
use by consumers, generally we will not accept a coverage request for a 
device or pharmaceutical that has not been approved or cleared for 
marketing by the FDA for at least one indication; one exception is 
Category B Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) devices. A Category B 
IDE device is a non-experimental/investigational device for which the 
incremental risk is the primary risk in question (that is, underlying 
questions of safety and effectiveness of that device type have been 
resolved), or it is known that the device type can be safe and 
effective because, for example, other manufacturers have obtained FDA 
approval or clearance for that device type.
    Both CMS and FDA review scientific evidence and will likely review 
some of the same evidence to meet each agency's mission. Among other 
things, FDA reviews evidence to determine that a product is safe and 
effective, that is, it conducts a premarket review of products under a 
statutory standard and delegated authority (67 FR 66755) different from 
that of CMS. We also review clinical evidence to determine, among other 
things, whether the item or service is reasonable and necessary for the 
diagnosis or treatment of illness or injury or to improve the 
functioning of a malformed body member for the affected Medicare 
beneficiary population. An FDA-regulated product must receive FDA 
approval or clearance (unless exempt from the FDA premarket review 
process) for at least one indication to be eligible for consideration 
of Medicare coverage (except in specific circumstances). However, FDA 
approval or clearance alone does not entitle that technology to 
Medicare coverage.

IV. CMS' Process for Making a National Coverage Determination

    Section 1862(l) of the Act establishes, among other things, a 
timeframe for the NCD process and an opportunity for public comment on 
the agency's proposed decisions.

A. Informal Contacts and Inquiries Before Requesting an NCD

    We encourage, but do not require, potential requesters to 
communicate, via conference call or meeting, with our staff in the 
Coverage and Analysis Group (CAG) within the Center for Clinical 
Standards and Quality (CCSQ) before submission of a formal request. We 
have found that an initial submission of a ``formal request'' without 
any conversation with us generally requires additional clarification 
and discussion before we can definitively act on the request. A summary 
of the item or service and supporting documentation can be presented by 
the requester, and our staff can identify additional information that 
might be needed or helpful. Preliminary discussions are also the 
appropriate time for the requester to identify clinical trial protocols 
whose results will be later submitted to support an NCD request, if 
relevant. A positive response, however, to a clinical trial protocol is 
not an indication of forthcoming Medicare coverage.
    A significant proportion of potential requesters have either 
withdrawn or substantially amended their initial requests after 
informal discussion with us. These instances have generally included 
one or more of the following factors:
     Existing coverage of the item or service is already 
available at the national or local level.
     The substance of the request concerns the coding or 
payment amount for the item or service and is therefore outside the 
scope of an NCD.
     The item or service falls outside the scope of the 
Medicare Part A and Part B benefits.
     The requester learns that the item or service, even if 
covered, would not be separately paid under the Medicare program, for 
example, the item or service would be included in a bundled payment.

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     The requester recognizes the request would not be 
supported by a persuasive body of evidence.
    Informal communications between us and the requester allow both 
parties to clarify the NCD request and discuss potential issues that 
would affect our review and implementation of coverage of the item or 
service, such as the issues discussed above. These meetings and 
conversations expedite consideration and ensure that the requester 
understands that all relevant materials must be submitted in a timely 
manner and not delay the opening of the NCD review.

B. What Constitutes a Complete, Formal Request for an NCD or a 
Complete, Formal Request for Reconsideration

    We can initiate an NCD request or one can be initiated by an 
individual, (including a beneficiary), or an entity (including a 
medical professional society or business interest). We require that any 
request for an NCD review be a written ``complete, formal request.'' 
Acceptance of a complete, formal request indicates that we have 
sufficient information to conduct the NCD review. A request is 
considered to be a complete, formal request once the following 
conditions are met:
     The requester has provided a final letter of request that 
is not marked as a draft, and is clearly identified as ``A Formal 
Request for a National Coverage Determination.'' The requester must 
identify and submit the scientific evidence that he or she believes 
supports the request for coverage. Our review, however, is not limited 
to the materials submitted by the requester.
     Supporting documentation must include a full and complete 
description of the item or service in the request and scientific 
evidence supporting the clinical indications for the item or service. 
This includes a specific detailed description of the proposed use of 
the item or service, including the target Medicare population and the 
medical indication(s) for which it can be used and whether the item or 
service is intended for use by health care providers or beneficiaries.
     If the requester has submitted an application to the FDA 
for premarket approval or 510(k) clearance of the product for which 
coverage is sought, a copy of the ``integrated summary of safety data'' 
and ``integrated summary of effectiveness data'', or the combined 
``summary of safety and effectiveness data'' portions of the FDA 
application must be included. (Section 510(k) of the Food, Drug, and 
Cosmetic Act requires device manufacturers who must register, to notify 
FDA of their intent to market a medical device at least 90 days in 
advance.)
     In the case of items or services that are eligible for a 
510(k) clearance by the FDA, the request must include identification of 
the predicate devices to which the item or service is claimed to be 
substantially equivalent.
     The request must include information regarding the use of 
an item or service (for example, drug or device) subject to FDA 
regulation as well as the status of current FDA regulatory review of 
the item or service involved. An FDA regulated item or service would 
include the labeling submitted to FDA or approved by the FDA for that 
article, together with an indication of whether the article for which 
review is being requested is covered under the labeled indication(s). 
We recognize that the labeling on FDA-approved products sometimes 
changes. For purposes of our review, we are interested in the labeled 
indications at the time a requester submits a formal request. If during 
our review, the labeled indication or status of pending FDA approval or 
clearance changes, the requester must notify us of those changes.
     The request must state the Medicare Part A or Part B 
benefit category or categories in which the requester believes the item 
or service falls. Medicare does not develop NCDs to establish coverage 
of items or services that fall outside the scope of the Part A or Part 
B benefits.
     Requests for NCDs may be submitted electronically via the 
Coverage Center Web site using the ``Contact Us'' link at https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Coverage/InfoExchange/contactus.html.
    Requests may also be submitted to the Centers for Medicare & 
Medicaid Services; Director, Coverage and Analysis Group; 7500 Security 
Blvd.; Baltimore, MD 21244.
    We will consider a request to be a complete, formal request if the 
following conditions are met:
     The request is in writing.
     The request clearly identifies the statutorily-defined 
benefit category to which the requester believes the item or service 
applies and contains enough information for us to make a benefit 
category determination.
     The request is accompanied by sufficient, supporting 
evidentiary documentation.
     The information provided addresses relevance, usefulness, 
or the medical benefits of the item or service to the Medicare 
population.
     The information fully explains the design, purpose, and 
method of using the item or service for which the request is made.

C. External Requests for National Coverage Determinations

1. Request by an External Party for a New National Coverage 
Determination
    Typically, a requester is a Medicare beneficiary, a manufacturer, a 
physician or a physician professional association. A request may be to 
establish, limit, or entirely remove coverage.
    Upon acceptance of a complete, formal request, publication of a 
tracking sheet on the CMS Web site enables interested individuals to 
participate in and monitor the progress of our review. The tracking 
sheet contains a reference number, the name of the issue under 
consideration, requests for public comments, and summarizes the 
significant actions we have taken. The tracking sheet is a key element 
in making our NCD process efficient, open, and accessible to the 
public.
    A formal evidence review is then undertaken to determine whether or 
not an unbiased interpretation of the available evidence base supports 
or refutes the requested coverage in whole or in part. A proposed 
decision is normally issued for public comment within six months of 
opening the NCD review. Consistent with section 1862(l)(3)(B) of the 
Act, we provide 30 days for public comment on the proposal. Not later 
than 60 days after the close of the 30-day public comment period, we 
issue a final NCD. The final NCD decision memorandum includes a summary 
of the public comments on the proposed decision as well as responses to 
those comments. The proposed and final memoranda also include the 
scientific basis for our coverage determination, for example, an 
analysis and summary of the evidence considered (including medical, 
technical, and scientific evidence). The statutory timeframes, however, 
vary depending on whether or not we commission a technology assessment 
from an outside entity, or whether we decide to convene the Medicare 
Evidence Development and Coverage Advisory Committee (MEDCAC) to 
discuss the quality of the evidence, or whether a clinical trial is 
requested.
2. Request by an External Party for Reconsideration of an Existing NCD
    When an NCD currently exists, any individual or entity may request 
that we reconsider any provision of that NCD by filing a complete 
formal request for reconsideration. Similar to a request for a new NCD, 
the request for reconsideration must be submitted in

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writing and be clearly identified. We consider accepting a request to 
revise an existing NCD at any time, but only if the requester presents 
documentation that meets one of the following criteria:
     Additional scientific evidence that was not considered 
during the most recent review along with a sound premise by the 
requester that new evidence may change the NCD decision.
     Plausible arguments that our conclusion materially 
misinterpreted the existing evidence at the time the NCD was decided.
    Similar to a request for a new NCD, we consider a reconsideration 
request to be a ``complete, formal request'' if the following 
conditions are met:
     The requester provides a final letter of request (for 
example, not marked as a ``draft''), and clearly identifies the request 
as a ``Formal Request for NCD Reconsideration.''
     The requester identifies the scientific evidence that he 
or she believes supports the request for reconsideration (see above). 
Our review, however, is not limited to the materials submitted by the 
requester.
     The written request includes and supports any additional 
Medicare Part A or Part B benefit categories in which the requester 
believes the item or service falls.
     The request includes supporting documentation and is 
received electronically (unless there is good cause for only a hardcopy 
submission such as inability to scan necessary documents for electronic 
submission or lack of access to an electronic method of submission). 
Requests for NCDs may be submitted electronically via the Coverage 
Center Web site using the ``Contact Us'' link. Requests may also be 
submitted to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; Director, 
Coverage and Analysis Group; 7500 Security Blvd.; Baltimore, MD 21244.
    We review materials presented in a complete, formal request by the 
requester. We also review other related clinical materials before 
accepting a request for reconsideration. In a change from the 2003 
Federal Register notice and because of the time required for clinical 
research, reviews and analysis in a global health arena, we have 
determined that 60 days is usually a reasonable time period for us to 
make a decision to accept or reject decline an external NCD 
reconsideration request. If we accept the request, we post the letter 
requesting reconsideration together with a tracking sheet announcing 
that a reconsideration of the NCD has begun. If we decline the request, 
we will send a letter to the requester, rejecting the reconsideration 
request.
3. Request by an Aggrieved Party To Issue a Coverage or Noncoverage NCD
    Section 1869(f)(4) of the Act permits certain aggrieved persons to 
make a request that the Secretary issue a national coverage or 
noncoverage determination with respect to a particular type or class of 
items or services, if the Secretary has not made a national coverage or 
noncoverage determination. These individuals are described in section 
1869(f)(5) of the Act as ``individuals entitled to benefits under Part 
A, or enrolled under Part B, or both, who are in need of the item or 
service that is the subject of the coverage determination.'' Thus, this 
option can be invoked only for an initial request if we have not issued 
a coverage or noncoverage NCD. In these rare instances related to 
requests made by aggrieved parties, the statute establishes specific 
time deadlines for our consideration of such requests and we will 
notify the public through the posting of the NCD Tracking sheet when 
this occurs.

D. Internally-Generated NCD Review

1. Internally-Generated Review of an NCD
    We may internally initiate the NCD process. The following are 
examples of circumstances that may prompt us, when supported by our 
initial investigation of available evidence for review, to generate an 
internal NCD review on new or longstanding items or services:
     Practitioners, patients, or other members of the public 
have raised significant questions about the health outcomes 
attributable to the use of the items or services for the Medicare 
beneficiary population.
     New evidence or reasonable re-interpretation of previously 
available evidence indicates that a national coverage review may be 
warranted.
     Local coverage policies on a particular item or service 
may vary in language or implementation. While this may be manifested by 
LCD variations among Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs), we 
note that variability is not a de facto sign of inappropriate local 
policy and may be appropriate.
     The health technology represents a substantial clinical 
advance and is likely to result in a significant improvement in patient 
health outcomes or positive impact on the Medicare program.
     When rapid diffusion of an item or service is anticipated 
the evidence may inadequately address questions regarding impact on the 
Medicare population, target subgroup populations, practitioner or 
facility qualifications, etc., or on beneficiary health outcomes. Under 
these particularly complex circumstances, we may also require a 
comprehensive technology assessment, or convene a MEDCAC meeting to 
discern and evaluate those complexities and help inform our national 
decision.
2. Internally-Generated NCD Reconsideration Review
    We may also internally open a reconsideration of any policy or of 
an entire NCD. Generally, we internally open an NCD reconsideration 
because we have become aware of new evidence that could support a 
material change in coverage and we seek public comment on relevant 
questions.

E. Expedited Process To Remove an NCD Using Certain Criteria

    We recognize the need to periodically review our policies and 
processes to ensure that we remain effective and efficient as well as 
open and transparent. We are aware that clinical science and technology 
evolve and that items and services that were once considered state-of-
the-art or cutting edge may be replaced by more beneficial technologies 
or clinical paradigms. Therefore, we are announcing an administrative 
procedure to periodically review the inventory of NCDs that are older 
than 10 years since their most recent review and evaluate the continued 
need for those policies to remain active on a national scale. We are 
administratively simplifying the Medicare program by removing NCDs in 
circumstances described below. This process of removal would not result 
in an NCD as that term is defined in sections 1869(f) and 1862(l) of 
the Act because there would be no uniform national decision about 
whether or not the particular item or service would be covered under 
Title XVIII of the Act. Rather, the initial coverage decision under 
section 1862(a)(1)(A) of the Act for the particular item or service 
would be made by local contractors. We believe that allowing local 
contractor discretion in these cases better serves the needs of the 
Medicare program and its beneficiaries since we believe the future 
utilization for items and services within these policies will be 
limited.
    This expedited procedure allows us to regularly identify and remove 
NCDs that no longer contain clinically pertinent and current 
information or that involve items or services that are used 
infrequently by beneficiaries. As the scientific community continues to 
pursue research in certain areas, the

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evidence base we previously reviewed may have evolved to support other 
policy conclusions. Alternatively, in some circumstances, removing an 
NCD has the effect of striking national noncoverage and may permit 
access to technologies that may be beneficial for some limited uses.
    Under this process, we will periodically publish on our Web site, a 
list of NCDs proposed for removal along with our rationale for their 
proposed removal. We will solicit public comment for 30 calendar days. 
This will invite the public to comment on whether any or all of these 
NCDs should be removed or retained. In addition, we will ask the 
commenters to include a rationale to support their comments. We use the 
public comments to help inform our decision to do one of the following:
     Follow the proposal to remove the NCD.
     Retain the policy as an NCD.
     Formally reconsider the NCD and post a tracking sheet to 
that effect on the Coverage Web site.
    We consider all the public comments when developing a final NCD 
list for removal. When the final NCD list for removal is posted to our 
Coverage Web site, we summarize the comments and briefly explain our 
rationale as to why a specific NCD remained active, was removed from 
active national status, or qualified for reconsideration. The final 
list will be effective upon posting it to the Web site.
    Currently, an existing NCD must undergo a formal reconsideration 
process to be removed or amended and the process generally takes 9 to 
12 months. We expect this new administrative procedure to reduce that 
time significantly. We believe that this streamlined process is more 
efficient and helpful to the public because it instills confidence that 
national policies are being monitored to ensure health benefits for 
Medicare beneficiaries remain current.
    We may consider an older NCD for removal if, among other things, 
any of the following circumstances apply:
     We believe that allowing local contractor discretion 
better serves the needs of the Medicare program and its beneficiaries.
     The technology is generally acknowledged to be obsolete 
and is no longer marketed.
     In the case of a noncoverage NCD based on the experimental 
status of an item or service, the item or service in the NCD is no 
longer considered experimental.
     The NCD has been superseded by subsequent Medicare policy.
     The national policy does not meet the definition of an 
``NCD'' as defined in sections 1862(l) or 1869(f) of the Act.
     The benefit category determination is no longer consistent 
with a category in the Act.

V. CMS' Evaluation of Requests for an NCD and Related Tasks

    When we receive a request for an NCD, we review the submitted 
material to determine if it is a complete, formal written request. If 
it is not a complete, formal request it does not trigger the NCD 
statutory timeline because we do not have a clear basis upon which to 
act on the inquiry. In these instances, we notify the requester and 
explain our rationale, so the requester has the opportunity to provide 
missing information. As we explain elsewhere in this notice, many of 
the incomplete or informal inquiries we have received in the past did 
not ultimately result in a formal request.
    Upon acceptance of a complete, formal, request, posting of the 
tracking sheet on our Web site facilitates the ability of interested 
individuals to participate in, and monitor, the progress of our review. 
This is a key element in making our NCD process more efficient, open, 
and accessible to the public.
    We then undertake a formal evidence review to determine whether or 
not an unbiased interpretation of the available evidence base supports 
or refutes the requested coverage in whole or in part. We may also 
consider the need to obtain additional input through technology 
assessments from an outside entity and/or deliberation by the Medicare 
Evidence Development and Coverage Advisory Committee (MEDCAC). A formal 
review may result in an NCD, a noncoverage NCD, or an NCD with 
limitations. We also may determine that no NCD is required, permitting 
local Medicare contractors to make the initial determination under 
section 1862(a)(1) of the Act.

VI. Public Comment

    We strive to conduct the NCD process in an open and transparent 
manner with thoughtful consideration of public comment. We have found 
that public commenters may cite published clinical evidence, contribute 
insight, and give us useful information. We are particularly interested 
in comments that include new evidence we have not reviewed for the 
proposed decision or in past considerations of the NCD. Comments should 
be timely and pertinent to the NCD. We respond in detail to the public 
comments on a proposed decision in the final decision memorandum.
    While the statute affords an opportunity for public comment on the 
proposed decisions, we may also solicit public comment upon the initial 
opening of an NCD review announced via the tracking sheet. We use the 
initial public comments to inform our proposed decision and respond in 
detail to the public comments on a proposed decision when issuing the 
final decision memorandum.
    Also, we may, at our discretion, open a proposed decision 
concurrently with the notice of opening an NCD. This occurs rarely when 
we determine it is efficient to reduce the time necessary to manage an 
unforeseen health related issue or program need that must be resolved 
quickly. We may also use our discretion, as we have publicly stated, in 
an attempt to expedite a final NCD for requests that are accepted in 
the FDA CMS parallel review project (see the notice published on 
October 11, 2011 (76 FR 62808 through 62810)).
    Public comments providing information on unpublished evidence, such 
as the results obtained by individual practitioners or patients, are 
less rigorous and therefore less useful for making a coverage 
determination.
    Public comments that contain personally identifiable health 
information are either redacted or not made available to the public. 
Comments containing extensive personal health information may leave no 
substantive comment after redaction.
    We prefer to receive comments electronically; as these are more 
efficiently reviewed, catalogued, and redacted for personally 
identifiable health information. If a commenter chooses to submit 
comments through more than one channel, duplicate submissions are 
treated as a single comment.
    In general, we avoid opening and closing public comment periods on 
federal holidays or weekends. We may have limited ability to 
accommodate this goal, however, under tight statutory deadlines.

VII. Prioritizing Requests

    In the event that we have a large volume of NCD requests for 
simultaneous review, we prioritize these requests based on the 
magnitude of the potential impact on the Medicare program and its 
beneficiaries and staffing resources.

VIII. Time Frames

    We strive to complete NCD-related activities in a timely and 
efficient manner, often before statutory deadlines. We prepare an 
annual Report to Congress that tracks our performance

[[Page 48169]]

with respect to certain key steps in the process which is also posted 
on our Web site. The following steps and time frames are used for new 
NCDs and for reconsiderations of existing NCDs:
     Upon acceptance of a complete formal request or upon the 
opening of a CMS initiated review, we publish on our Web site a 
tracking sheet that provides public notice of the opening of the NCD 
process. We generally allow a 30-day public comment period on the NCD 
review topic announced via the tracking sheet. We use the initial 
public comments to inform a proposed decision. As stated above, at our 
discretion, we may announce a proposed decision concurrent with the 
notice of opening.
     A proposed decision is posted no later than 6 months after 
the posting of the tracking sheet, unless a technology assessment (TA) 
from an outside entity is commissioned, a clinical trial is requested, 
or a meeting of the MEDCAC is convened.
     In the event that a TA is commissioned from an outside 
entity or a MEDCAC meeting is held and a clinical trial is not 
requested, the proposed decision is posted no later than 9 months 
following the posting of the tracking sheet.
     Upon the posting of the proposed decision, there is a 30-
day public comment period during which time the public is invited to 
comment on the substance of the proposed decision.
     A final NCD is posted on our Web site no later than 60 
days following the close of the public comment period on the proposed 
decision.
     With publication of the final decision memorandum, the NCD 
is effective for claims with dates of service beginning with the 
effective date of the NCD. The memorandum contains, among other 
materials, the analysis and conclusions and also the NCD that becomes a 
part of the Medicare National Coverage Determination Manual (Pub. 100-
3) of the CMS Internet Only Manual. After enactment of section 1862(l) 
of the Act, the effective date for the NCD is the same date as the 
publication date of the final decision memorandum. Therefore, we have 
found it expedient and practical to include the NCD that is included in 
the Medicare National Coverage Determination manual in the final 
decision memoranda and to use that date as the effective date for 
Medicare coverage and payment purposes.

IX. Collection of Information Requirements

    This document does not impose any new reporting, recordkeeping or 
third-party disclosure requirements. This document, however, does make 
reference to information associated with an existing information 
collection request. The information listed in section IV.B ``What 
Constitutes a Complete, Formal Request for a National Coverage 
Determination or a Complete, Formal Request for Reconsideration'' of 
this notice, was previously approved under OMB control number 0938-
0776. We are currently seeking reinstatement of the OMB control number 
and the information collection requirements. We published the required 
60-day notice on February 12, 2013 (78 FR 9927). The 60-day comment 
period ended April 15, 2013. We will announce the submission of the 
information collection request to OMB via the required 30-day notice.

    Authority: (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: May 17, 2013.
Marilyn Tavenner,
 Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
    Approved: May 17, 2013.
Kathleen Sebelius,
Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services.
[FR Doc. 2013-19060 Filed 8-2-13; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P