Medicare Program; Right of Appeal for Medicare Secondary Payer Determination Relating to Liability Insurance (Including Self-Insurance), No Fault Insurance, and Workers' Compensation Laws and Plans, 78802-78807 [2013-30661]

Agencies

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

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 249 (Friday, December 27, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 78802-78807]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-30661]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

42 CFR Part 405

[CMS-6055-P]
RIN 0938-AS03


Medicare Program; Right of Appeal for Medicare Secondary Payer 
Determination Relating to Liability Insurance (Including Self-
Insurance), No Fault Insurance, and Workers' Compensation Laws and 
Plans

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

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: This proposed rule would implement provisions of the 
Strengthening Medicare and Repaying Taxpayers Act of 2012 (SMART Act) 
which require us to provide a right of appeal and an appeal process for 
liability insurance (including self-insurance), no-fault insurance, and 
workers' compensation laws or plans when Medicare pursues a Medicare 
Secondary Payer (MSP) recovery claim directly from the liability 
insurance (including self-insurance), no fault insurance, or workers' 
compensation law or plan.

DATES: To be assured consideration, comments must be received at one of 
the addresses provided, no later than 5 p.m. on February 25, 2014.

ADDRESSES: In commenting, please refer to file code CMS-6055-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. Electronically. You may submit electronic comments on this 
regulation to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions under 
the ``More Search Options'' tab.
    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-6055-P, P.O. Box 8013, Baltimore, MD 
21244-8013.

[[Page 78803]]

    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-6055-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) 786-1066 in advance to schedule your 
arrival with one of our staff members.
    Comments erroneously 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: Barbara Wright, (410) 786-4292. 
Cynthia Ginsburg, (410) 786-2579.

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 be also 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, MD 21244-1850, Monday through Friday of each week from 8:30 
a.m. to 4 p.m. To schedule an appointment to view public comments, 
please phone 1-800-743-3951.

I. Overview and Background

A. Overview

    When the Medicare program was enacted in 1965, Medicare was the 
primary payer for all medically necessary covered and otherwise 
reimbursable items and services, with the exception of those items and 
services covered and payable by workers' compensation. In 1980, the 
Congress enacted the Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) provisions of the 
Social Security Act (the Act), which added section 1862(b) to the Act 
and established Medicare as the secondary payer to certain primary 
plans. Primary plan, as defined in section 1862(b)(2)(A) of the Act, 
means a group health plan or large group health plan, workers' 
compensation law or plan, automobile or liability insurance policy or 
plan (including self-insured plan) or no fault insurance.
    Section 1862(b)(2) of the Act, in part, prohibits Medicare from 
making payment where payment has been made or can reasonably be 
expected to be made by a primary plan. If payment has not been made or 
cannot reasonably be expected to be made by a primary plan, Medicare 
may make conditional payments with the expectation that the payments 
will be reimbursed to the appropriate Medicare Trust Fund. That is, 
Medicare may pay for medical claims with the expectation that it will 
be repaid if the beneficiary obtains a settlement, judgment, award, or 
other payment (hereafter referred to as ``settlement''). Section 
1862(b)(2)(B) of the Act provides authority for Medicare to make 
conditional payments and requires the primary plan, if it is 
responsible for the payment, to reimburse Medicare. A primary plan and 
any entity that receives payment from a primary plan shall reimburse 
the appropriate Medicare Trust Fund for Medicare's payments for items 
and services if it is demonstrated that such primary plan has or had 
responsibility to make payment with respect to such items and services.
    The responsibility for payment on the part of workers' 
compensation, liability insurance (including self-insurance), and no-
fault insurance is generally demonstrated by ``settlements.'' When a 
``settlement'' occurs, the ``settlement'' is subject to the Act's MSP 
provisions because a ``payment has been made'' with respect to medical 
care of a beneficiary related to that ``settlement.'' Section 
1862(b)(2)(B)(iv) of the Act provides the Federal government 
subrogation rights to any right under MSP of an individual or any other 
entity to payment for items or services under a primary plan, to the 
extent Medicare payments were made for such medical items and services. 
Moreover, section 1862(b)(2)(B)(iii) of the Act provides the Federal 
government a direct right of action to recover conditional payments 
made by Medicare. This direct right of action, which is separate and 
independent from Medicare's statutory subrogation rights, may be 
brought to recover conditional payments against any or all entities 
that are or were responsible for making payment for the items and 
services under a primary plan. Under the direct right of action, the 
Federal government may also recover from any entity that has received 
payment from a primary plan or the proceeds of a primary plan's payment 
to any entity.

B. Background

    The Strengthening Medicare and Repaying Taxpayers Act of 2012 (the 
SMART Act) was signed into law by President Obama on January 10, 2013, 
and amends the Act's MSP provisions (found at 42 U.S.C. 1395y(b)). 
Specifically, section 201 of the SMART Act added subparagraph (viii) to 
section 1862(b)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act. This new clause 
requires Medicare to promulgate regulations establishing a right of 
appeal and an appeals process, with respect to any determination for 
which the Secretary is seeking to recover payments from an applicable 
plan (as defined in the MSP provisions), under which the applicable 
plan involved, or an attorney, agent, or third-party administrator on 
behalf of the applicable plan, may appeal such a determination. 
Further, the individual furnished such an item and/or service shall be 
notified of the applicable plan's intent to appeal such a 
determination. For purposes of this provision, the term applicable plan 
refers to liability insurance (including self-insurance), no-fault 
insurance, or a workers' compensation law or plan as defined at section 
1862(b)(8)(F) of the Act. (We note that the industry has expressed 
interest in an appeal process for determinations regarding proposed 
Workers' Compensation Medicare Set-

[[Page 78804]]

Aside Arrangement (WCMSA) amounts. This proposed rule does not address 
this issue. It will be addressed separately.)
    Currently, if an MSP recovery demand is issued to the beneficiary 
as the identified debtor, the beneficiary has formal administrative 
appeal rights and eventual judicial review as set forth in subpart I of 
part 405. If the recovery demand is issued to the applicable plan as 
the identified debtor, currently the applicable plan has no formal 
administrative appeal rights or judicial review. CMS' recovery 
contractor addresses any dispute raised by the applicable plan, but 
there is no multilevel formal appeal process.
    Subpart I of part 405, provides for a multilevel process including 
a redetermination by the contractor issuing the recovery demand, a 
reconsideration by a Qualified Independent Contractor (QIC), an 
Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing, a review by the Departmental 
Appeals Board's (DAB) Medicare Appeals Council (MAC), and eventual 
judicial review. The regulations set forth details on the process 
including filing requirements, amount in controversy requirements, and 
other requirements, as appropriate. We propose to include appeals for 
applicable plans where Medicare is pursuing recovery directly from the 
applicable plan in this process. The debts at issue involve recovery of 
the same conditional payments that would be at issue if recovery were 
directed at the beneficiary. Given this, we believe it is appropriate 
to utilize the same multilevel appeals process for applicable plans.

II. Provisions of the Proposed Regulations

    After review of the existing regulations in subpart I of 42 CFR 
Part 405, we are proposing the following changes, as appropriate, in 
order to include the applicable plan as a party when we pursue recovery 
directly from the applicable plan.
    We propose to amend Sec.  405.900, Basis and Scope, by revising 
paragraph (a) to add section 1862(b)(2)(B)(viii) of the Act as part of 
the statutory basis for Subpart I. Section 1862(b)(2)(B)(viii) of the 
Act requires an appeals process for applicable plans when Medicare 
pursues recovery directly from the applicable plan.
    In Sec.  405.902, Definitions, we propose to add a definition of 
the term ``applicable plan'' for purposes of Subpart I. We would adopt 
the statutory definition of ``applicable plan'' in section 
1862(b)(8)(F) of the Act, which states that an applicable plan means 
liability insurance (including self-insurance), no-fault insurance, or 
a workers' compensation law or plan.
    We propose to amend Sec.  405.906, Parties to initial 
determinations, redeterminations, reconsiderations, hearings and 
reviews by adding Sec.  405.906(a)(4) to include the applicable plan as 
a party for an initial determination where Medicare is pursuing 
recovery directly from the applicable plan. By ``pursuing recovery 
directly from the applicable plan,'' we mean that the applicable plan 
would be the identified debtor, with a recovery demand letter requiring 
repayment issued to the applicable plan (or its agent or 
representative). Sending an applicable plan a courtesy copy of a 
recovery demand letter issued to a beneficiary does not qualify as 
``pursuing recovery directly from the applicable plan'' and does not 
confer party status on the applicable plan. We are also proposing a 
technical change in the section heading for Sec.  405.906 (adding a 
comma before the phrase ``and reviews'').
    Based upon this proposed change to Sec.  405.906, the applicable 
plan's party status would continue at subsequent levels of appeal. 
Consistent with section 1862(b)(2)(B)(viii) of the Act, the 
beneficiary, provider, and/or supplier are not considered parties to an 
appeal by an applicable plan. Thus, we propose to remove the 
beneficiary, as well as the provider or supplier, as a party at the 
redetermination level where Medicare is pursuing recovery directly from 
the applicable plan. This would also, in effect, remove the beneficiary 
and the provider or supplier as a party at subsequent levels of appeal 
where Medicare is pursuing recovery directly from the applicable plan. 
To implement our proposed changes, we would revise Sec.  405.906 (a) to 
specify: (1) The circumstances under which an applicable plan is a 
party to an initial determination; and (2) when an applicable plan is a 
party to an initial determination, it is the sole party with respect to 
that determination. Finally, as providers and suppliers would 
specifically be excluded from party status for an initial determination 
with respect to an applicable plan, we would make it clear that the 
special rule for provider or supplier party status in Sec.  405.906(c) 
does not apply to an initial determination with respect to an 
applicable plan.
    In proposed Sec.  405.910, Appointed representatives, we would add 
a new paragraph (e)(4) to provide the applicable plan with parallel 
rights to a beneficiary's rights or a provider or supplier's rights 
regarding the duration of an appointment of representation with respect 
to an MSP recovery claim. We also propose to revise Sec.  405.910(i)(4) 
so that the special provision that beneficiaries as well as their 
representatives must receive notices or requests in a MSP recovery case 
continues to apply only to beneficiaries. For all other parties, 
including an applicable plan, we would continue to follow the 
regulatory provisions in Sec.  405.910(i)(1) through (3).
    In Sec.  405.921, Notice of initial determination, we propose to 
add a paragraph (c) to provide specific language regarding requirements 
for notice to an applicable plan. This language would parallel the 
existing language in this section regarding the notice to 
beneficiaries. In addition to these changes, for consistency we have 
made a number of technical and formatting changes.
    In order for an action to be subject to the appeal process set 
forth in subpart I of 42 CFR Part 405, there must be an ``initial 
determination.'' We propose, in Sec.  405.924, Actions that are initial 
determinations, to add a new paragraph Sec.  405.924(b)(15) providing 
that a determination that Medicare has a recovery claim where Medicare 
is pursuing recovery directly from an applicable plan is an initial 
determination with respect to the amount of or existence of the MSP 
recovery claim. This addition would generally parallel the existing 
provisions in Sec.  405.924(b)(14) addressing pursuing MSP recovery 
claims from a beneficiary, provider or supplier. In addition to these 
changes, for consistency we have made a number of technical and 
formatting changes.
    The MSP provisions in section 1862(b) of the Act establish that 
Medicare has a direct right of recovery against a primary payer. 
Currently under Sec.  405.926(k), determinations under these provisions 
that Medicare has a recovery against a particular primary payer, are 
not initial determinations for purposes of part 405 subpart I. 
Consequently, although the primary payer may dispute the recovery claim 
where Medicare pursues recovery against the applicable plan, it has no 
formal appeal rights. We propose to revise Sec.  405.926(k) by creating 
an exception to the broad rule in Sec.  405.926(k) to reflect the 
proposed addition of Sec.  405.924(b)(15). The proposed revision would 
provide an exception to Sec.  405.926(k) where there is an initial 
determination under Sec.  405.924(b)(15) (where Medicare is pursuing 
recovery directly from an applicable plan). We also propose to add a 
new Sec.  405.926(a)(3) to clarify that Medicare's determination 
regarding

[[Page 78805]]

who/what entity it will pursue with respect to an MSP recovery claim is 
not an initial determination for purposes of part 405 subpart I. 
Because Medicare has the right to recover conditional payments from the 
beneficiary, the primary payer, or any other entity that has the 
proceeds from payment by the primary plan, Medicare's decision 
regarding who/what entity it is pursuing recovery from is not subject 
to appeal. We also propose to add the word ``facilitates'' to the 
existing ``sponsors or contributes to'' language in Sec.  405.926(k) in 
recognition of our longstanding position that the concept of employer 
sponsorship or contribution has always included facilitation efforts. 
Finally for consistency, we are proposing several technical changes.
    We propose to add a new Sec.  405.947, Notice to the beneficiary of 
an applicable plan's request for a redetermination, to add language 
satisfying the requirement at section 1862(b)(2)(B)(viii) of the Act 
that the beneficiary receive notice of the applicable plan's intent to 
appeal where Medicare is pursuing recovery directly from the applicable 
plan. As the beneficiary would not be a party to the appeal at the 
redetermination level or subsequent levels of appeal, we believe that a 
single notice at the redetermination level satisfies the intent of this 
provision. We also propose that the required notice be issued by the 
contractor adjudicating the redetermination request in order to ensure 
clarity and consistency in the wording of the notice.

III. 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.

IV. Response to 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 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.

V. Regulatory Impact Statement

    We have examined the impact of this rule as required by Executive 
Order 12866 on Regulatory Planning and Review (September 30, 1993), 
Executive Order 13563 on Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review 
(February 2, 2011), the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (September 19, 
1980, Pub. L. 96-354), section 1102(b) of the Social Security Act, 
section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (March 22, 
1995; Pub. L. 104-4), Executive Order 13132 on Federalism (August 4, 
1999) and the Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 804(2)).
    Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess all 
costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public 
health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). A 
regulatory impact analysis (RIA) must be prepared for major rules with 
economically significant effects ($100 million or more in any 1 year). 
We have determined that the effect of this proposed rule on the economy 
and the Medicare program is not economically significant. The proposed 
rule would provide a formal administrative appeal process for MSP 
recovery claims where the applicable plan is the identified debtor, as 
opposed to the current process which requires a CMS contractor to 
consider any defense submitted by an applicable plan but does not 
provide formal administrative appeal rights.
    The RFA requires agencies to analyze options for regulatory relief 
of small entities. For purposes of the RFA, small entities include 
small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and small governmental 
jurisdictions. Most hospitals and most other providers and suppliers 
are small entities, either by nonprofit status or by having revenues of 
less than $7.0 million to $35.5 million in any 1 year. Individuals and 
States are not included in the definition of a small entity. We have 
determined and we certify that this proposed rule would not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities 
because there is and will be no change in the administration of the MSP 
provisions. The proposed changes would simply expand or formalize 
existing rights with respect to MSP recovery claims pursued directly 
from an applicable plan. Therefore, we are not preparing an analysis 
for the RFA.
    In addition, section 1102(b) of the Act requires us to prepare a 
regulatory impact analysis (RIA) if a rule may have a significant 
impact on the operations of a substantial number of small rural 
hospitals. This analysis must conform to the provisions of section 603 
for proposed rules of the RFA. For purposes of section 1102(b) of the 
Act, we define a small rural hospital as a hospital that is located 
outside of a Metropolitan Statistical Area for Medicare payment 
regulations and has fewer than 100 beds. We have determined that this 
proposed rule would not have a significant effect on the operations of 
a substantial number of small rural hospitals because it would simply 
expand and/or formalize existing rights with respect to MSP recovery 
claims pursued directly from an applicable plan. Therefore, we are not 
preparing an analysis for section 1102(b) of the Act.
    Section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 also 
requires that agencies assess anticipated costs and benefits before 
issuing any rule whose mandates require spending in any 1 year of $100 
million in 1995 dollars, updated annually for inflation. In 2013, that 
threshold is approximately $141 million. This proposed rule has no 
consequential effect on State, local, or tribal governments or on the 
private sector because it would simply expand and/or formalize existing 
rights with respect to MSP recovery claims pursued directly from an 
applicable plan.
    Executive Order 13132 establishes certain requirements that an 
agency must meet when it promulgates a proposed rule (and subsequent 
final rule) that imposes substantial direct requirement costs on State 
and local governments, preempts State law, or otherwise has Federalism 
implications. Since this regulation does not impose any costs on State 
or local governments, the requirements of Executive Order 13132 are not 
applicable.
    In accordance with the provisions of Executive Order 12866, this 
regulation was reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget.

List of Subjects in 42 CFR Part 405

    Administrative practice and procedure, Health facilities, Health 
professions, Kidney diseases, Medical devices, Medicare, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Rural areas, X-rays.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Centers for Medicare 
& Medicaid Services proposes to amend 42 CFR Part 405 as set forth 
below:

PART 405--FEDERAL HEALTH INSURANCE FOR THE AGED AND DISABLED

0
1. The authority citation for part 405 reads as follows:

    Authority: Secs. 205(a), 1102, 1861, 1862(a), 1869, 1871, 1874, 
1881, 1886(k) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 405(a),

[[Page 78806]]

1302, 1395x, 1395y(a), 1395ff, 1395hh, 1395kk, 1395rr and 
1395ww(k)), and sec. 353 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
263a)

0
2. Amend Sec.  405.900 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:


Sec.  405.900  Basis and scope.

    (a) Statutory basis. This subpart is based on the following 
provisions of the Act:
    (1) Section 1869(a) through (e) and (g) of the Act.
    (2) Section 1862(b)(2)(B)(viii) of the Act.
* * * * *
0
3. Amend Sec.  405.902 by adding the definition ``Applicable plan'' in 
alphabetical order to read as follows:


Sec.  405.902  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Applicable plan means liability insurance (including self-
insurance), no-fault insurance, or a workers' compensation law or plan.
* * * * *
0
4. Amend Sec.  405.906 as follows:
0
A. Revising the section heading.
0
B. Adding new paragraph (a)(4).
0
C. Amending paragraph (c) by adding a sentence at the end of the 
paragraph.
    The additions and revision read as follows:


Sec.  405.906  Parties to the initial determinations, redeterminations, 
reconsiderations, hearings, and reviews.

    (a) * * *
    (4) An applicable plan for an initial determination under Sec.  
405.924(b)(15) where Medicare is pursuing recovery directly from the 
applicable plan. The applicable plan is the sole party to an initial 
determination under Sec.  405.924(b)(15) (that is, where Medicare is 
pursuing recovery directly from the applicable plan).
* * * * *
    (c) * * *. This paragraph (c) does not apply to an initial 
determination with respect to an applicable plan under Sec.  
405.924(b)(15).
0
4. Amend Sec.  405.910 as follows:
0
A. Adding paragraph (e)(4).
0
B. Revising paragraph (i)(4).
    The addition and revision read as follows:


Sec.  405.910  Appointed representatives.

* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (4) For an initial determination of a Medicare Secondary Payer 
recovery claim, an appointment signed by an applicable plan which has 
party status in accordance with Sec.  405.906(a)(1)(iv) is valid from 
the date that appointment is signed for the duration of any subsequent 
appeal, unless the appointment is specifically revoked.
* * * * *
    (i) * * *
    (4) For initial determinations and appeals involving Medicare 
Secondary Payer recovery claims where the beneficiary is a party, the 
adjudicator sends notices and requests to both the beneficiary and the 
beneficiary's representative, if the beneficiary has a representative.
* * * * *
0
5. Amend Sec.  405.921 as follows:
0
A. In paragraph (a)(1), removing ``;'' and adding in its place ``.''
0
B. In paragraph (a)(2) introductory text, removing the phrase ``must 
contain--'' and adding in its place the phrase ``must contain all of 
the following:''
0
C. In paragraphs (a)(2)(i) and (a)(2)(ii), removing ``;'' and adding in 
its place ``.''
0
D. In paragraph (a)(2)(iii), removing ``; and'' and adding in its place 
``.''
0
E. Redesignating the second and third sentences of paragraph (b)(1) as 
paragraph (b)(1)(i) and (ii), respectively.
0
F. In paragraph (b)(2) introductory text, removing the phrase ``must 
contain:'' and adding in its place the phrase ``must contain all of the 
following:''
0
G. In paragraphs (b)(2)(i) through (b)(2)(iv), removing ``;'' and add 
in its place ``.''
0
H. In paragraph (b)(2)(v), removing ``; and'' and add in its place 
``.''
0
I. Adding paragraph (c) to read as follows:


Sec.  405.921  Notice of initial determination.

* * * * *
    (c) Notice of initial determination sent to an applicable plan--(1) 
Content of the notice. The notice of initial determination under Sec.  
405.924(b)(15) must contain all of the following:
    (i) The reasons for the determination.
    (ii) The procedures for obtaining additional information concerning 
the contractor's determination, such as a specific provision of the 
policy, manual, law or regulation used in making the determination.
    (iii) Information on the right to a redetermination if the 
liability insurance (including self-insurance), no-fault insurance, or 
workers' compensation law or plan is dissatisfied with the outcome of 
the initial determination and instructions on how to request a 
redetermination.
    (iv) Any other requirements specified by CMS.
    (2) [Reserved]
0
6. Amend Sec.  405.924 as follows:
0
A. In paragraph (b) introductory text, removing the phrase ``with 
respect to:'' and add in its place the phrase ``with respect to any of 
the following:''
0
B. In paragraph (b)(1) through (b)(11) removing ``;'' and adding in its 
place ``.''
0
D. In paragraph (b)(12) introductory text, removing the ``:'' and 
adding in its place ``--''.
0
C. Adding paragraph (b)(15).
    The addition reads as follows:


Sec.  405.924  Actions that are initial determinations.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (15) Under the Medicare Secondary Payer provisions of section 
1862(b) of the Act that Medicare has a recovery claim if Medicare is 
pursuing recovery directly from an applicable plan. That is, there is 
an initial determination with respect to the amount and existence of 
the recovery claim.
* * * * *
0
7. Amend Sec.  405.926 as follows:
0
A. In the introductory text, removing the phrase ``not limited to -'' 
and adding in its place the phrase ``not limited to the following:''
0
B. In the introductory text of paragraph (a), removing the phrase ``for 
example -'' and adding in its place the phrase ``for example one of the 
following:''
0
C. In paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2), removing ``;'' and adding in its 
place ``.''
0
D. Adding paragraph (a)(3).
0
E. In paragraphs (b) through (j), removing ``;'' and adding in its 
place ``.''
0
F. Revising paragraph (k).
0
G. In paragraphs (l) through (q), removing ``;'' and adding in its 
place ``.''
0
H. In paragraph (r), removing ``; and'' and adding in its place ``.''
    The addition and revision read as follows:


Sec.  405.926  Actions that are not initial determinations.

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (3) Determination under the Medicare Secondary Payer provisions of 
section 1862(b) of the Act of the debtor for a particular recovery 
claim.
* * * * *
    (k) Except as specified in Sec.  405.924(b)(15), determinations 
under the Medicare Secondary Payer provisions of section 1862(b) of the 
Act that Medicare has a recovery against an entity that was or is 
required or responsible (directly, as an insurer or self-insurer; as a 
third party administrator; as an employer that sponsors, contributes to 
or facilitates a group health plan or a large group health plan; or 
otherwise) to make payment for services or items that were

[[Page 78807]]

already reimbursed by the Medicare program.
* * * * *
0
8. Add a new Sec.  405.947 to subpart I to read as follows:


Sec.  405.947  Notice to the beneficiary of applicable plan's request 
for a redetermination.

    (a) The contractor adjudicating the redetermination request must 
send notice of the applicable plan's appeal to the beneficiary.
    (b) Issuance and content of the notice must comply with CMS 
instructions.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.773, 
Medicare--Hospital Insurance; and Program No. 93.774, Medicare--
Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)

    Dated: August 29, 2013.
Marilyn Tavenner,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
    Approved: November 12, 2013.
Kathleen Sebelius,
Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services.
[FR Doc. 2013-30661 Filed 12-26-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P