94-32069. Medicare Program; Hospice Wage Index

[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 249 (Thursday, December 29, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
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From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-32069]


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[Federal Register: December 29, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration

42 CFR Chapter IV

[BPD-822-N]

 

Medicare Program; Hospice Wage Index

AGENCY: Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), HHS.

ACTION: Notice of Establishment of a Negotiated Rulemaking Advisory 
Committee.

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SUMMARY: The Health Care Financing Administration announces the 
establishment of the Negotiated Rulemaking Advisory Committee on the 
Medicare Hospice Wage Index. The Committee will negotiate the wage 
index used to adjust payment rates for hospice care under the Medicare 
program to reflect local differences in area wage levels. A new wage 
index is needed because the index currently used is based on 1981 wage 
and employment data.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Janice Flaherty, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the authority of the Negotiated 
Rulemaking Act of 1990 (Pub. Law 101-648, 5 U.S.C. 581-590), the 
Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services has 
established the Negotiated Rulemaking Advisory Committee on the 
Medicare Hospice Wage Index. The Committee will provide advice and make 
recommendations with respect to the content of a proposed rule on the 
wage index used to adjust payment rates for hospice care under the 
Medicare program to reflect local differences in area wage levels. The 
Committee consists of representatives of interests that are likely to 
be significantly affected by the proposed rule.
    Hospice care was included as a Medicare benefit in the Tax Equity 
and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982, and implemented effective 
November 1, 1983. The statutory authority for payment of hospice care 
under Medicare is contained in section 1814(i) of the Social Security 
Act.
    On October 14, 1994, we published a notice of intent in which we 
requested public comment on use of the negotiated rulemaking process to 
develop a wage index for hospice care (59 FR 52129). As a result, we 
received 8 public comments. The commenters supported our decision to 
establish a negotiating committee and utilize the negotiated rulemaking 
process for this purpose.
    All Committee meetings are open to the public. The dates, 
locations, and agendas for the meetings will be announced in the 
Federal Register in accordance with the requirements of the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act and 45 CFR 11.4(c)(3).

(Section 9(a) of Public Law 92-463 (5 U.S.C. App 2, section 9(a)); 
45 C.F.R. Part 11 )

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.773 
Medicare--Hospital Insurance Program)

    Dated: December 21, 1994.
Bruce C. Vladeck,
Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.
[FR Doc. 94-32069 Filed 12-28-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P