Medicare Program; Public Meeting on July 14, 2014 Regarding New Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Test Codes for the Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule for Calendar Year 2015, 16340-16342 [2014-06515]
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16340
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 57 / Tuesday, March 25, 2014 / Notices
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES
—The procedures used to notify
accredited MA organizations of
deficiencies and to monitor the
correction of those deficiencies; and
—The procedures used to enforce
compliance with accreditation
requirements.
• Detailed information about the
individuals who perform surveys for the
accreditation organization, including—
++ The size and composition of
accreditation survey teams for each type
of plan reviewed as part of the
accreditation process;
++ The education and experience
requirements surveyors must meet;
++ The content and frequency of the
in-service training provided to survey
personnel;
++ The evaluation systems used to
monitor the performance of individual
surveyors and survey teams; and
++ The organization’s policies and
practice with respect to the
participation, in surveys or in the
accreditation decision process by an
individual who is professionally or
financially affiliated with the entity
being surveyed.
• A description of the organization’s
data management and analysis system
with respect to its surveys and
accreditation decisions, including the
kinds of reports, tables, and other
displays generated by that system.
• A description of the organization’s
procedures for responding to and
investigating complaints against
accredited organizations, including
policies and procedures regarding
coordination of these activities with
appropriate licensing bodies and
ombudsmen programs.
• A description of the organization’s
policies and procedures with respect to
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accreditation for failure to meet the
accreditation organization’s standards or
requirements, and other actions the
organization takes in response to
noncompliance with its standards and
requirements.
• A description of all types (for
example, full, partial) and categories (for
example, provisional, conditional,
temporary) of accreditation offered by
the organization, the duration of each
type and category of accreditation and a
statement identifying the types and
categories that would serve as a basis for
accreditation if CMS approves the
accreditation organization.
• A list of all currently accredited MA
organizations and the type, category,
and expiration date of the accreditation
held by each of them.
• A list of all full and partial
accreditation surveys scheduled to be
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performed by the accreditation
organization.
• The name and address of each
person with an ownership or control
interest in the accreditation
organization.
• CMS will also consider NCQA’s
past performance in the deeming
program and results of recent deeming
validation reviews, or look-behind
audits conducted as part of continuing
federal oversight of the deeming
program under § 422.157(d).
B. Notice Upon Completion of
Evaluation
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.
Dated: March 14, 2014.
Marilyn Tavenner,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 2014–06520 Filed 3–24–14; 8:45 am]
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services
[CMS–1610–N]
Medicare Program; Public Meeting on
July 14, 2014 Regarding New Clinical
Diagnostic Laboratory Test Codes for
the Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule
for Calendar Year 2015
Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
This notice announces a
public meeting to receive comments and
recommendations (including
accompanying data on which
recommendations are based) from the
public on the appropriate basis for
establishing payment amounts for new
or substantially revised Healthcare
Common Procedure Coding System
(HCPCS) codes being considered for
Medicare payment under the clinical
laboratory fee schedule (CLFS) for
calendar year (CY) 2015. This meeting
also provides a forum for those who
submitted certain reconsideration
requests regarding final determinations
made last year on new test codes and for
the public to provide comment on the
requests.
DATES: Meeting Date: The public
meeting is scheduled for Monday, July
14, 2014 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.,
Eastern Daylight Savings Time.
Deadline for Registration of Presenters
and Submission of Presentations: All
presenters for the public meeting must
register and submit their presentations
electronically to Glenn McGuirk at
Glenn.McGuirk@cms.hhs.gov by July 3,
2014.
Deadline for Submitting Requests for
Special Accommodations: Requests for
special accommodations must be
received no later than 5:00 p.m. on July
3, 2014.
Deadline for Submission of Written
Comments: We intend to publish our
proposed determinations for new test
codes and our preliminary
determinations for reconsidered codes
(as described below) for CY 2015 by
early September. Interested parties may
submit written comments on these
determinations by early October, 2014
to the address specified in the
ADDRESSES section of this notice or
electronically to Glenn McGuirk at
Glenn.McGuirk@cms.hhs.gov (the
specific date for the publication of these
determinations on the CMS Web site, as
well as the deadline for submitting
comments regarding these
SUMMARY:
Upon completion of our evaluation,
including evaluation of comments
received as a result of this notice, we
will publish a notice in the Federal
Register announcing the result of our
evaluation.
Section 1852(e)(4)(C) of the Act
provides a statutory timetable to ensure
that our review of deeming applications
is conducted in a timely manner. The
Act provides us with 210 calendar days
after the date of receipt of an application
to complete our survey activities and
application review process. At the end
of the 210 day period, we must publish
an approval or denial of the application
in the Federal Register.
BILLING CODE 4120–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 57 / Tuesday, March 25, 2014 / Notices
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES
determinations will be published on the
CMS Web site).
ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be
held in the main auditorium of the
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services (CMS), Central Building, 7500
Security Boulevard, Baltimore,
Maryland 21244–1850.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Glenn McGuirk, (410) 786–5723.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Section 531(b) of the Medicare,
Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits
Improvement and Protection Act of
2000 (BIPA) (Pub. L. 106–554) requires
the Secretary of the Department of
Health and Human Services (the
Secretary) to establish procedures for
coding and payment determinations for
new clinical diagnostic laboratory tests
under Part B of title XVIII of the Social
Security Act (the Act) that permit public
consultation in a manner consistent
with the procedures established for
implementing coding modifications for
International Classification of Diseases
(ICD–9–CM). The procedures and public
meeting announced in this notice for
new tests are in accordance with the
procedures published on November 23,
2001 in the Federal Register (66 FR
58743) to implement section 531(b) of
BIPA.
Section 942(b) of the Medicare
Prescription Drug, Improvement, and
Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) (Pub.
L. 108–173) added section 1833(h)(8) of
the Act. Section 1833(h)(8)(A) of the Act
requires the Secretary to establish by
regulation procedures for determining
the basis for, and amount of, payment
for any clinical diagnostic laboratory
test with respect to which a new or
substantially revised Healthcare
Common Procedure Coding System
(HCPCS) code is assigned on or after
January 1, 2005 (hereinafter referred to
as ‘‘new tests’’). A code is considered to
be substantially revised if ‘‘there is a
substantive change to the definition of
the test or procedure to which the code
applies (such as, a new analyte or a new
methodology for measuring an existing
analyte-specific test).’’ (See section
1833(h)(8)(E)(ii) of the Act).
Section 1833(h)(8)(B) of the Act sets
forth the process for determining the
basis for, and the amount of, payment
for new tests. Pertinent to this notice,
section 1833(h)(8)(B)(i) and (ii) of the
Act requires the Secretary to make
available to the public a list that
includes any such test for which
establishment of a payment amount is
being considered for a year and, on the
same day that the list is made available,
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Jkt 232001
cause to have published in the Federal
Register notice of a meeting to receive
comments and recommendations
(including accompanying data, which
recommendations are based) from the
public on the appropriate basis for
establishing payment amounts for the
tests on such list. This list of codes for
which the establishment of a payment
amount under the clinical laboratory fee
schedule (CLFS) is being considered for
calendar year (CY) 2015 is posted on the
CMS Web site at https://www.cms.gov/
Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-ServicePayment/ClinicalLabFeeSched/
index.html?redirect=/
ClinicalLabFeeSched/. Section
1833(h)(8)(B)(iii) of the Act requires that
we convene the public meeting not less
than 30 days after publication of the
notice in the Federal Register. These
requirements are codified at 42 CFR part
414, subpart G.
Two bases of payment are used to
establish payment amounts for new
tests. The first basis called
‘‘crosswalking,’’ is used when a new test
is determined to be comparable to an
existing test code, multiple existing test
codes, or a portion of an existing test
code. The new test code is assigned the
local fee schedule amounts and the
national limitation amount of the
existing test. Payment for the new test
is made at the lesser of the local fee
schedule amount or the national
limitation amount. (See 42 CFR
414.508(a).)
The second basis called ‘‘gapfilling,’’
is used when no comparable existing
test is available. When using this
method, instructions are provided to
each Medicare carrier or Part A and Part
B Medicare Administrative Contractor
(MAC) to determine a payment amount
for its carrier geographic areas) for use
in the first year. The contractor-specific
amounts are established for the new test
code using the following sources of
information, if available: Charges for the
test and routine discounts to charges;
resources required to perform the test;
payment amounts determined by other
payers; and charges, payment amounts,
and resources required for other tests
that may be comparable or otherwise
relevant. (See 42 CFR 414.508(b) and
414.509 for more information regarding
the gapfilling process.)
Under section 1833(h)(8)(B)(iv) of the
Act, the Secretary, taking into account
the comments and recommendations
(and accompanying data) received at the
public meeting, develops and makes
available to the public a list of proposed
determinations with respect to the
appropriate basis for establishing a
payment amount for each code, an
explanation of the reasons for each
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16341
determination, the data which the
determinations are based, and a request
for public written comments on the
proposed determinations. Under section
1833(h)(8)(B)(v) of the Act, taking into
account the comments received during
the public comment period, the
Secretary develops and makes available
to the public a list of final
determinations of final payment
amounts for new test codes along with
the rationale for each determination, the
data which the determinations are
based, and responses to comments and
suggestions received from the public.
After the final determinations have
been posted on our Web site, the public
may request reconsideration of the basis
and amount of payment for a new test
as set forth in § 414.509. Pertinent to
this notice, those requesting that CMS
reconsider the basis for payment or, for
crosswalking, reconsider the payment
amount as set forth in § 414.509(a) and
(b)(1) may present their reconsideration
requests at the following year’s public
meeting provided that the requestor
made the request to present at the
public meeting in the written
reconsideration request. For purposes of
this notice, we refer to these codes as
the ‘‘reconsidered codes.’’ The public
may comment on the reconsideration
requests. (See the November 27, 2007
CY 2008 Physician Fee Schedule final
rule with comment period (72 FR 66275
through 66280) for more information on
these procedures.)
II. Format
We are following our usual process,
including an annual public meeting to
determine the appropriate basis and
payment amount for new test codes
under the CLFS for CY 2015.
This meeting is open to the public.
The on-site check-in for visitors will be
held from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.,
followed by opening remarks.
Registered persons from the public may
discuss and make recommendations for
specific new test codes for the CY 2015
CLFS.
Because of time constraints,
presentations must be brief, lasting no
longer than 10 minutes, and must be
accompanied by three written copies. In
addition, CMS recommends that
presenters make copies available for
approximately 50 meeting participants,
since CMS will not be providing
additional copies. Written presentations
must be electronically submitted to
CMS on or before July 3, 2014.
Presentation slots will be assigned on a
first-come, first-served basis. In the
event that there is not enough time for
presentations by everyone who is
interested in presenting, CMS will
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16342
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 57 / Tuesday, March 25, 2014 / Notices
gladly accept written presentations from
those who were unable to present due
to time constraints. Presentations
should be sent via email to Glenn
McGuirk, at Glenn.McGuirk@
cms.hhs.gov. For new test codes,
presenters should address all of the
following items:
• New test code(s) and descriptor.
• Test purpose and method.
• Costs.
• Charges.
• A recommendation, with rationale,
for one of the two bases (crosswalking
or gapfilling) for determining payment
for new tests.
Additionally, the presenters should
provide the data which their
recommendations are based. Written
presentations from the public meeting
will be available upon request, via
email, to Glenn McGuirk at
Glenn.McGuirk@cms.hhs.gov.
Presentations regarding new test codes
that do not address the above five items
may be considered incomplete and may
not be considered by CMS when making
a determination. CMS may request
missing information following the
meeting to prevent a recommendation
from being considered incomplete.
Taking into account the comments
and recommendations (and
accompanying data) received at the
public meeting, we intend to post our
proposed determinations with respect to
the appropriate basis for establishing a
payment amount for each new test code
and our preliminary determinations
with respect to the reconsidered codes
along with an explanation of the reasons
for each determination, the data which
the determinations are based, and a
request for public written comments on
these determinations on the CMS Web
site by early September 2014. This Web
site can be accessed at https://
www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Feefor-Service-Payment/
ClinicalLabFeeSched/
index.html?redirect=/
ClinicalLabFeeSched/. We also will
include a summary of all comments
received by August 4, 2014 (15 business
days after the meeting). Interested
parties may submit written comments
on the proposed determinations for new
test codes or the preliminary
determinations for reconsidered codes
by early October, 2014, to the address
specified in the ADDRESSES section of
this notice or electronically to Glenn
McGuirk at Glenn.McGuirk@
cms.hhs.gov (the specific date for the
publication of the determinations on the
CMS Web site, as well as the deadline
for submitting comments regarding the
determinations will be published on the
CMS Web site). Final determinations for
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new test codes to be included for
payment on the CLFS for CY 2015 and
reconsidered codes will be posted on
our Web site in November 2014, along
with the rationale for each
determination, the data which the
determinations are based, and responses
to comments and suggestions received
from the public. The final
determinations with respect to
reconsidered codes are not subject to
further reconsideration. With respect to
the final determinations for new test
codes, the public may request
reconsideration of the basis and amount
of payment as set forth in § 414.509.
III. Registration Instructions
The Division of Ambulatory Services
in the CMS Center for Medicare is
coordinating the public meeting
registration. Beginning June 9, 2014,
registration may be completed on-line at
the following web address: https://
www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Feefor-Service-Payment/
ClinicalLabFeeSched/
index.html?redirect=/
ClinicalLabFeeSched/. All the following
information must be submitted when
registering:
• Name.
• Company name.
• Address.
• Telephone numbers.
• Email addresses.
When registering, individuals who
want to make a presentation must also
specify which new test codes they will
be presenting comments. A
confirmation will be sent upon receipt
of the registration. Individuals must
register by the date specified in the
DATES section of this notice.
IV. Security, Building, and Parking
Guidelines
The meeting will be held in a Federal
government building; therefore, Federal
security measures are applicable. In
planning your arrival time, we
recommend allowing additional time to
clear security. It is suggested that you
arrive at the CMS facility between 8:15
a.m. and 8:30 a.m., so that you will be
able to arrive promptly at the meeting
by 9:00 a.m. Individuals who are not
registered in advance will not be
permitted to enter the building and will
be unable to attend the meeting. The
public may not enter the building earlier
than 8:15 a.m. (45 minutes before the
convening of the meeting).
Security measures include the
following:
• Presentation of government-issued
photographic identification to the
Federal Protective Service or Guard
Service personnel. Persons without
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proper identification may be denied
access to the building.
• Interior and exterior inspection of
vehicles (this includes engine and trunk
inspection) at the entrance to the
grounds. Parking permits and
instructions will be issued after the
vehicle inspection.
• Passing through a metal detector
and inspection of items brought into the
building.
We note that all items brought to
CMS, whether personal or for the
purpose of demonstration or to support
a demonstration, are subject to
inspection. We cannot assume
responsibility for coordinating the
receipt, transfer, transport, storage, setup, safety, or timely arrival of any
personal belongings or items used for
demonstration or to support a
demonstration.
V. Special Accommodations
Individuals attending the meeting
who are hearing or visually impaired
and have special requirements, or a
condition that requires special
assistance, should provide that
information upon registering for the
meeting. The deadline for registration is
listed in the DATES section of this notice.
Dated: March 14, 2014.
Marilyn Tavenner,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 2014–06515 Filed 3–24–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services
[CMS–3292–N]
Medicare Program; Announcement of
the Approval of the American
Association for Laboratory
Accreditation (A2LA) as an
Accreditation Organization Under the
Clinical Laboratory Improvement
Amendments of 1988
Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
This notice announces the
application of the American Association
for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) for
approval as an accreditation
organization for clinical laboratories
under the Clinical Laboratory
Improvement Amendments of 1988
(CLIA) program for all specialty and
subspecialty areas under CLIA. We have
determined that the A2LA meets or
SUMMARY:
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 57 (Tuesday, March 25, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16340-16342]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-06515]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
[CMS-1610-N]
Medicare Program; Public Meeting on July 14, 2014 Regarding New
Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Test Codes for the Clinical Laboratory
Fee Schedule for Calendar Year 2015
AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice announces a public meeting to receive comments and
recommendations (including accompanying data on which recommendations
are based) from the public on the appropriate basis for establishing
payment amounts for new or substantially revised Healthcare Common
Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes being considered for Medicare
payment under the clinical laboratory fee schedule (CLFS) for calendar
year (CY) 2015. This meeting also provides a forum for those who
submitted certain reconsideration requests regarding final
determinations made last year on new test codes and for the public to
provide comment on the requests.
DATES: Meeting Date: The public meeting is scheduled for Monday, July
14, 2014 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight Savings Time.
Deadline for Registration of Presenters and Submission of
Presentations: All presenters for the public meeting must register and
submit their presentations electronically to Glenn McGuirk at
Glenn.McGuirk@cms.hhs.gov by July 3, 2014.
Deadline for Submitting Requests for Special Accommodations:
Requests for special accommodations must be received no later than 5:00
p.m. on July 3, 2014.
Deadline for Submission of Written Comments: We intend to publish
our proposed determinations for new test codes and our preliminary
determinations for reconsidered codes (as described below) for CY 2015
by early September. Interested parties may submit written comments on
these determinations by early October, 2014 to the address specified in
the ADDRESSES section of this notice or electronically to Glenn McGuirk
at Glenn.McGuirk@cms.hhs.gov (the specific date for the publication of
these determinations on the CMS Web site, as well as the deadline for
submitting comments regarding these
[[Page 16341]]
determinations will be published on the CMS Web site).
ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held in the main auditorium of
the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Central Building,
7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Glenn McGuirk, (410) 786-5723.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Section 531(b) of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits
Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 (BIPA) (Pub. L. 106-554)
requires the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services
(the Secretary) to establish procedures for coding and payment
determinations for new clinical diagnostic laboratory tests under Part
B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act (the Act) that permit
public consultation in a manner consistent with the procedures
established for implementing coding modifications for International
Classification of Diseases (ICD-9-CM). The procedures and public
meeting announced in this notice for new tests are in accordance with
the procedures published on November 23, 2001 in the Federal Register
(66 FR 58743) to implement section 531(b) of BIPA.
Section 942(b) of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and
Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) (Pub. L. 108-173) added section
1833(h)(8) of the Act. Section 1833(h)(8)(A) of the Act requires the
Secretary to establish by regulation procedures for determining the
basis for, and amount of, payment for any clinical diagnostic
laboratory test with respect to which a new or substantially revised
Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) code is assigned on
or after January 1, 2005 (hereinafter referred to as ``new tests''). A
code is considered to be substantially revised if ``there is a
substantive change to the definition of the test or procedure to which
the code applies (such as, a new analyte or a new methodology for
measuring an existing analyte-specific test).'' (See section
1833(h)(8)(E)(ii) of the Act).
Section 1833(h)(8)(B) of the Act sets forth the process for
determining the basis for, and the amount of, payment for new tests.
Pertinent to this notice, section 1833(h)(8)(B)(i) and (ii) of the Act
requires the Secretary to make available to the public a list that
includes any such test for which establishment of a payment amount is
being considered for a year and, on the same day that the list is made
available, cause to have published in the Federal Register notice of a
meeting to receive comments and recommendations (including accompanying
data, which recommendations are based) from the public on the
appropriate basis for establishing payment amounts for the tests on
such list. This list of codes for which the establishment of a payment
amount under the clinical laboratory fee schedule (CLFS) is being
considered for calendar year (CY) 2015 is posted on the CMS Web site at
https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/ClinicalLabFeeSched/?redirect=/ClinicalLabFeeSched/. Section
1833(h)(8)(B)(iii) of the Act requires that we convene the public
meeting not less than 30 days after publication of the notice in the
Federal Register. These requirements are codified at 42 CFR part 414,
subpart G.
Two bases of payment are used to establish payment amounts for new
tests. The first basis called ``crosswalking,'' is used when a new test
is determined to be comparable to an existing test code, multiple
existing test codes, or a portion of an existing test code. The new
test code is assigned the local fee schedule amounts and the national
limitation amount of the existing test. Payment for the new test is
made at the lesser of the local fee schedule amount or the national
limitation amount. (See 42 CFR 414.508(a).)
The second basis called ``gapfilling,'' is used when no comparable
existing test is available. When using this method, instructions are
provided to each Medicare carrier or Part A and Part B Medicare
Administrative Contractor (MAC) to determine a payment amount for its
carrier geographic areas) for use in the first year. The contractor-
specific amounts are established for the new test code using the
following sources of information, if available: Charges for the test
and routine discounts to charges; resources required to perform the
test; payment amounts determined by other payers; and charges, payment
amounts, and resources required for other tests that may be comparable
or otherwise relevant. (See 42 CFR 414.508(b) and 414.509 for more
information regarding the gapfilling process.)
Under section 1833(h)(8)(B)(iv) of the Act, the Secretary, taking
into account the comments and recommendations (and accompanying data)
received at the public meeting, develops and makes available to the
public a list of proposed determinations with respect to the
appropriate basis for establishing a payment amount for each code, an
explanation of the reasons for each determination, the data which the
determinations are based, and a request for public written comments on
the proposed determinations. Under section 1833(h)(8)(B)(v) of the Act,
taking into account the comments received during the public comment
period, the Secretary develops and makes available to the public a list
of final determinations of final payment amounts for new test codes
along with the rationale for each determination, the data which the
determinations are based, and responses to comments and suggestions
received from the public.
After the final determinations have been posted on our Web site,
the public may request reconsideration of the basis and amount of
payment for a new test as set forth in Sec. 414.509. Pertinent to this
notice, those requesting that CMS reconsider the basis for payment or,
for crosswalking, reconsider the payment amount as set forth in Sec.
414.509(a) and (b)(1) may present their reconsideration requests at the
following year's public meeting provided that the requestor made the
request to present at the public meeting in the written reconsideration
request. For purposes of this notice, we refer to these codes as the
``reconsidered codes.'' The public may comment on the reconsideration
requests. (See the November 27, 2007 CY 2008 Physician Fee Schedule
final rule with comment period (72 FR 66275 through 66280) for more
information on these procedures.)
II. Format
We are following our usual process, including an annual public
meeting to determine the appropriate basis and payment amount for new
test codes under the CLFS for CY 2015.
This meeting is open to the public. The on-site check-in for
visitors will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., followed by opening
remarks. Registered persons from the public may discuss and make
recommendations for specific new test codes for the CY 2015 CLFS.
Because of time constraints, presentations must be brief, lasting
no longer than 10 minutes, and must be accompanied by three written
copies. In addition, CMS recommends that presenters make copies
available for approximately 50 meeting participants, since CMS will not
be providing additional copies. Written presentations must be
electronically submitted to CMS on or before July 3, 2014. Presentation
slots will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. In the
event that there is not enough time for presentations by everyone who
is interested in presenting, CMS will
[[Page 16342]]
gladly accept written presentations from those who were unable to
present due to time constraints. Presentations should be sent via email
to Glenn McGuirk, at Glenn.McGuirk@cms.hhs.gov. For new test codes,
presenters should address all of the following items:
New test code(s) and descriptor.
Test purpose and method.
Costs.
Charges.
A recommendation, with rationale, for one of the two bases
(crosswalking or gapfilling) for determining payment for new tests.
Additionally, the presenters should provide the data which their
recommendations are based. Written presentations from the public
meeting will be available upon request, via email, to Glenn McGuirk at
Glenn.McGuirk@cms.hhs.gov. Presentations regarding new test codes that
do not address the above five items may be considered incomplete and
may not be considered by CMS when making a determination. CMS may
request missing information following the meeting to prevent a
recommendation from being considered incomplete.
Taking into account the comments and recommendations (and
accompanying data) received at the public meeting, we intend to post
our proposed determinations with respect to the appropriate basis for
establishing a payment amount for each new test code and our
preliminary determinations with respect to the reconsidered codes along
with an explanation of the reasons for each determination, the data
which the determinations are based, and a request for public written
comments on these determinations on the CMS Web site by early September
2014. This Web site can be accessed at https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/ClinicalLabFeeSched/?redirect=/ClinicalLabFeeSched/. We also will include a
summary of all comments received by August 4, 2014 (15 business days
after the meeting). Interested parties may submit written comments on
the proposed determinations for new test codes or the preliminary
determinations for reconsidered codes by early October, 2014, to the
address specified in the ADDRESSES section of this notice or
electronically to Glenn McGuirk at Glenn.McGuirk@cms.hhs.gov (the
specific date for the publication of the determinations on the CMS Web
site, as well as the deadline for submitting comments regarding the
determinations will be published on the CMS Web site). Final
determinations for new test codes to be included for payment on the
CLFS for CY 2015 and reconsidered codes will be posted on our Web site
in November 2014, along with the rationale for each determination, the
data which the determinations are based, and responses to comments and
suggestions received from the public. The final determinations with
respect to reconsidered codes are not subject to further
reconsideration. With respect to the final determinations for new test
codes, the public may request reconsideration of the basis and amount
of payment as set forth in Sec. 414.509.
III. Registration Instructions
The Division of Ambulatory Services in the CMS Center for Medicare
is coordinating the public meeting registration. Beginning June 9,
2014, registration may be completed on-line at the following web
address: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/ClinicalLabFeeSched/?redirect=/ClinicalLabFeeSched/. All the
following information must be submitted when registering:
Name.
Company name.
Address.
Telephone numbers.
Email addresses.
When registering, individuals who want to make a presentation must
also specify which new test codes they will be presenting comments. A
confirmation will be sent upon receipt of the registration. Individuals
must register by the date specified in the DATES section of this
notice.
IV. Security, Building, and Parking Guidelines
The meeting will be held in a Federal government building;
therefore, Federal security measures are applicable. In planning your
arrival time, we recommend allowing additional time to clear security.
It is suggested that you arrive at the CMS facility between 8:15 a.m.
and 8:30 a.m., so that you will be able to arrive promptly at the
meeting by 9:00 a.m. Individuals who are not registered in advance will
not be permitted to enter the building and will be unable to attend the
meeting. The public may not enter the building earlier than 8:15 a.m.
(45 minutes before the convening of the meeting).
Security measures include the following:
Presentation of government-issued photographic
identification to the Federal Protective Service or Guard Service
personnel. Persons without proper identification may be denied access
to the building.
Interior and exterior inspection of vehicles (this
includes engine and trunk inspection) at the entrance to the grounds.
Parking permits and instructions will be issued after the vehicle
inspection.
Passing through a metal detector and inspection of items
brought into the building.
We note that all items brought to CMS, whether personal or for the
purpose of demonstration or to support a demonstration, are subject to
inspection. We cannot assume responsibility for coordinating the
receipt, transfer, transport, storage, set-up, safety, or timely
arrival of any personal belongings or items used for demonstration or
to support a demonstration.
V. Special Accommodations
Individuals attending the meeting who are hearing or visually
impaired and have special requirements, or a condition that requires
special assistance, should provide that information upon registering
for the meeting. The deadline for registration is listed in the DATES
section of this notice.
Dated: March 14, 2014.
Marilyn Tavenner,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 2014-06515 Filed 3-24-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P
