Medicare Program; Oncology Care Model: Request for Applications; Extension of the Submission Deadline for Applications, 35364-35365 [2015-15129]

Download as PDF 35364 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 118 / Friday, June 19, 2015 / Notices asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES prohibition to impose additional restrictions on physician ownership and investment in hospitals and rural providers. Since March 23, 2010, a physician-owned hospital that seeks to avail itself of either exception is prohibited from expanding facility capacity unless it qualifies as an ‘‘applicable hospital’’ or ‘‘high Medicaid facility’’ (as defined in sections 1877(i)(3)(E), (F) of the Act and 42 CFR 411.362(c)(2), (3) of our regulations) and has been granted an exception to the prohibition by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (the Secretary). Section 1877(i)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act provides that individuals and entities in the community in which the provider requesting the exception is located must have an opportunity to provide input with respect to the provider’s request for the exception. For further information, we refer readers to the CMS Web site at: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Fraudand-Abuse/PhysicianSelfReferral/ Physician_Owned_Hospitals.html. II. Exception Request Process On November 30, 2011, we published a final rule in the Federal Register (76 FR 74122, 74517 through 74525) that, among other things, finalized § 411.362(c), which specified the process for submitting, commenting on, and reviewing a request for an exception to the prohibition on expansion of facility capacity. We published a subsequent final rule in the Federal Register on November 10, 2014 (79 FR 66770) that made certain revisions to the expansion exception process; however, because this particular request was received prior to the effective date of that rule, it is being processed in accordance with the regulations that were in place at the time of submission. As stated in regulations at § 411.362(c)(5), we will solicit community input on the request for an exception by publishing a notice of the request in the Federal Register. Individuals and entities in the hospital’s community will have 30 days to submit comments on the request. Community input must take the form of written comments and may include documentation demonstrating that the physician-owned hospital requesting the exception does or does not qualify as an applicable hospital or high Medicaid facility, as such terms are defined in § 411.362(c)(2) and (3). In the November 30, 2011 final rule (76 FR 74522), we gave examples of community input, such as documentation demonstrating that the hospital does not satisfy one or more of the data criteria or that the hospital discriminates VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:33 Jun 18, 2015 Jkt 235001 against beneficiaries of Federal health programs; however, we noted that these were examples only and that we will not restrict the type of community input that may be submitted. If we receive timely comments from the community, we will notify the hospital, and the hospital will have 30 days after such notice to submit a rebuttal statement (§ 411.362(c)(5)). In the November 30, 2011 final rule (76 FR 74522 through 74523), this request for an exception to the facility expansion prohibition will be considered complete and ready for CMS review if no comments from the community are received by the close of the 30-day comment period. If we receive timely comments from the community, we will consider this request to be complete 30 days after the hospital is notified of the comments. If we grant the request for an exception to the prohibition on expansion of facility capacity, the expansion may occur only in facilities on the hospital’s main campus and may not result in the number of operating rooms, procedure rooms, and beds for which the hospital is licensed exceeding 200 percent of the hospital’s baseline number of operating rooms, procedure rooms, and beds (§ 411.362(c)(6)). Our decision to grant or deny a hospital’s request for an exception to the prohibition on expansion of facility capacity will be published in the Federal Register in accordance with our regulations at § 411.362(c)(7). III. Hospital Exception Request As permitted by section 1877(i)(3) of the Act and our regulations at § 411.362(c), the following physicianowned hospital has requested an exception to the prohibition on expansion of facility capacity: Name of Facility: Harsha Behavioral Center, Incorporation. Address: 1420 East Crossing Boulevard, Terre Haute, Indiana 47802. County: Vigo County, Indiana. Basis for Exception Request: High Medicaid Facility. We seek comments on this request from individuals and entities in the community in which the hospital is located. We encourage interested parties to review the hospital’s request, which is posted on the CMS Web site at: https:// www.cms.gov/Medicare/Fraud-andAbuse/PhysicianSelfReferral/Physician_ Owned_Hospitals.html. We especially welcome comments regarding whether the hospital qualifies as a high Medicaid facility. In November 30, 2011 final rule (76 FR 74521 through 74522), a high Medicaid facility is a hospital that satisfies the following criteria: PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 • The hospital is not the sole hospital in the county in which it is located; • The hospital does not discriminate against beneficiaries of Federal health care programs and does not permit physicians practicing at the hospital to discriminate against such beneficiaries; and • With respect to each of the 3 most recent fiscal years for which data are available as of the date the hospital submits its request, has an annual percent of total inpatient admissions under Medicaid that is estimated to be greater than such percent with respect to such admissions for any other hospital located in the county in which the hospital is located. Individuals and entities wishing to submit comments on the hospital’s request should review the DATES and ADDRESSES sections above and state whether or not they are in the community in which the hospital is located. IV. Collection of Information Requirements This document does not impose information collection requirements, that is, reporting, recordkeeping or third-party disclosure requirements. Consequently, there is no need for review by the Office of Management and Budget under the authority of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). V. Response to Public Comments We will consider all comments we receive by the date and time specified in the DATES section of this preamble. Dated: June 5, 2015. Andrew M. Slavitt, Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. [FR Doc. 2015–15141 Filed 6–18–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4120–01–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services [CMS–5514–N2] Medicare Program; Oncology Care Model: Request for Applications; Extension of the Submission Deadline for Applications Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: This notice extends the application submission deadline for organizations to participate in the SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\19JNN1.SGM 19JNN1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 118 / Friday, June 19, 2015 / Notices asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Oncology Care Model (OCM) beginning in 2016. The new deadline for receipt of online applications from payers and practices is 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on June 30, 2015. Only those payers and practices that submitted timely, complete Letters of Intent (LOIs) are eligible to apply to participate in OCM, and only the submission of web-based applications will be accepted. DATES: Application Submission Deadline: Applications for payers and practices must be received by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on June 30, 2015. Application materials and instructions are available at https:// innovation.cms.gov/initiatives/ Oncology-Care/. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: OncologyCareModel@cms.hhs.gov for questions regarding the application process of OCM. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background The Oncology Care Model (OCM) aims to improve health outcomes for people with cancer, improve the quality of cancer care, and reduce spending for cancer treatment. We expect that physician practices selected for participation in the model will be able to transform care delivery for their patients undergoing chemotherapy, leading to improved quality of care for beneficiaries at a decreased cost to payers. Through this care transformation, practices participating in OCM can reduce Medicare expenditures while improving cancer care for Medicare Fee-for-Service beneficiaries. Beneficiaries can experience improved health outcomes when health care providers work in a coordinated and person-centered manner. We are interested in partnering with payers and practitioners who are working to redesign care to deliver these aims. The Request for Applications (RFA) requests applications to test the model, which is centered around a chemotherapy episode of care. For more details, see the RFA and related informational materials available on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (Innovation Center) Web site at https://innovation.cms.gov/initiatives/ Oncology-Care/. On February 17, 2015, we published a notice in the Federal Register announcing the RFA for payers and practices to apply to participate in the testing of OCM for a 5-year performance period beginning in 2016 (80 FR 8323). In that notice, we stated that payers and practices interested in applying to VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:33 Jun 18, 2015 Jkt 235001 participate in the testing of OCM must submit non-binding letters of intent (LOIs) by March 19, 2015 and April 23, 2015, respectively; and that all applications from payers and practices must be received by 5:00 p.m. EDT on June 18, 2015. We subsequently extended the deadlines for the submission of LOIs to April 9, 2015 (payers) and May 7, 2015 (practices), as announced on the Innovation Center Web site at (https://innovation.cms.gov/ initiatives/Oncology-Care/), in updates to the RFA and related informational materials, and in emails to stakeholders. II. Provisions of the Notice Since the publication of the February 17, 2015 notice, several stakeholders have requested additional time to prepare their applications and form partnerships in order to participate in the OCM beginning in 2016. Therefore, the Innovation Center is extending the deadline for receipt of payer and practice applications from June 18, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) to June 30, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. EDT. Only those payers and practices that submitted timely, complete LOIs are eligible to apply to participate in OCM, and only the submission of web-based applications will be accepted. The extended application deadline has already been announced on the Innovation Center Web site at (https:// innovation.cms.gov/initiatives/ Oncology-Care/), in updates to the RFA and related informational materials, and in emails to stakeholders. In the DATES section of this notice, we are including the new submission deadline. For additional information on the OCM and how to apply, we refer readers to click on the RFA and related informational materials located on the Innovation Center Web site at https:// innovation.cms.gov/initiatives/ Oncology-Care/. III. Collection of Information Requirements This document does not impose information collection requirements, that is, reporting, recordkeeping or third-party disclosure requirement. Consequently, there is no need for review by the Office of Management and Budget under the authority of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). Dated: June 12, 2015. Andrew M. Slavitt, Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. [FR Doc. 2015–15129 Filed 6–18–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4120–01–P PO 00000 Frm 00067 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 35365 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services [Document Identifier: CMS–643] Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, HHS. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is announcing an opportunity for the public to comment on CMS’ intention to collect information from the public. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (the PRA), federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information (including each proposed extension or reinstatement of an existing collection of information) and to allow 60 days for public comment on the proposed action. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding our burden estimates or any other aspect of this collection of information, including any of the following subjects: The necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the agency’s functions; the accuracy of the estimated burden; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology to minimize the information collection burden. DATES: Comments must be received by August 18, 2015. ADDRESSES: When commenting, please reference the document identifier or OMB control number. To be assured consideration, comments and recommendations must be submitted in any one of the following ways: 1. Electronically. You may send your comments electronically to https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for ‘‘Comment or Submission’’ or ‘‘More Search Options’’ to find the information collection document(s) that are accepting comments. 2. By regular mail. You may mail written comments to the following address: CMS, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs, Division of Regulations Development, Attention: Document Identifier/OMB Control Number llll Room C4–26– 05, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244–1850. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\19JNN1.SGM 19JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 118 (Friday, June 19, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35364-35365]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-15129]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-5514-N2]


Medicare Program; Oncology Care Model: Request for Applications; 
Extension of the Submission Deadline for Applications

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

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice extends the application submission deadline for 
organizations to participate in the

[[Page 35365]]

Oncology Care Model (OCM) beginning in 2016. The new deadline for 
receipt of online applications from payers and practices is 5:00 p.m. 
Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on June 30, 2015. Only those payers and 
practices that submitted timely, complete Letters of Intent (LOIs) are 
eligible to apply to participate in OCM, and only the submission of 
web-based applications will be accepted.

DATES: Application Submission Deadline: Applications for payers and 
practices must be received by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on 
June 30, 2015. Application materials and instructions are available at 
https://innovation.cms.gov/initiatives/Oncology-Care/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: OncologyCareModel@cms.hhs.gov for 
questions regarding the application process of OCM.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Oncology Care Model (OCM) aims to improve health outcomes for 
people with cancer, improve the quality of cancer care, and reduce 
spending for cancer treatment. We expect that physician practices 
selected for participation in the model will be able to transform care 
delivery for their patients undergoing chemotherapy, leading to 
improved quality of care for beneficiaries at a decreased cost to 
payers. Through this care transformation, practices participating in 
OCM can reduce Medicare expenditures while improving cancer care for 
Medicare Fee-for-Service beneficiaries. Beneficiaries can experience 
improved health outcomes when health care providers work in a 
coordinated and person-centered manner. We are interested in partnering 
with payers and practitioners who are working to redesign care to 
deliver these aims.
    The Request for Applications (RFA) requests applications to test 
the model, which is centered around a chemotherapy episode of care. For 
more details, see the RFA and related informational materials available 
on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (Innovation Center) 
Web site at https://innovation.cms.gov/initiatives/Oncology-Care/.
    On February 17, 2015, we published a notice in the Federal Register 
announcing the RFA for payers and practices to apply to participate in 
the testing of OCM for a 5-year performance period beginning in 2016 
(80 FR 8323). In that notice, we stated that payers and practices 
interested in applying to participate in the testing of OCM must submit 
non-binding letters of intent (LOIs) by March 19, 2015 and April 23, 
2015, respectively; and that all applications from payers and practices 
must be received by 5:00 p.m. EDT on June 18, 2015. We subsequently 
extended the deadlines for the submission of LOIs to April 9, 2015 
(payers) and May 7, 2015 (practices), as announced on the Innovation 
Center Web site at (https://innovation.cms.gov/initiatives/Oncology-Care/), in updates to the RFA and related informational materials, and 
in emails to stakeholders.

II. Provisions of the Notice

    Since the publication of the February 17, 2015 notice, several 
stakeholders have requested additional time to prepare their 
applications and form partnerships in order to participate in the OCM 
beginning in 2016. Therefore, the Innovation Center is extending the 
deadline for receipt of payer and practice applications from June 18, 
2015 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) to June 30, 2015 at 5:00 
p.m. EDT. Only those payers and practices that submitted timely, 
complete LOIs are eligible to apply to participate in OCM, and only the 
submission of web-based applications will be accepted. The extended 
application deadline has already been announced on the Innovation 
Center Web site at (https://innovation.cms.gov/initiatives/Oncology-Care/), in updates to the RFA and related informational materials, and 
in emails to stakeholders.
    In the DATES section of this notice, we are including the new 
submission deadline. For additional information on the OCM and how to 
apply, we refer readers to click on the RFA and related informational 
materials located on the Innovation Center Web site at https://innovation.cms.gov/initiatives/Oncology-Care/.

III. Collection of Information Requirements

    This document does not impose information collection requirements, 
that is, reporting, recordkeeping or third-party disclosure 
requirement. Consequently, there is no need for review by the Office of 
Management and Budget under the authority of the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35).

    Dated: June 12, 2015.
Andrew M. Slavitt,
Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 2015-15129 Filed 6-18-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4120-01-P
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