2013-12462. Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Survey, Certification and Enforcement Procedures; Extension of Comment Period

AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Proposed rule; extension of the comment period.

SUMMARY:

This notice extends the comment period for the Survey, Certification and Enforcement Procedures proposed rule, which was published in the April 5, 2013 Federal Register (78 FR 20564 through 20581). In the proposed rule, we proposed to revise the survey, certification, and enforcement procedures related to CMS oversight of national accreditation organizations (AOs). These revisions would implement certain provisions under the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA). The proposed revisions would also clarify and strengthen our oversight of AOs that apply for, and are granted, recognition and approval of an accreditation program in accordance with the Social Security Act. The comment period for the proposed rule, which would have ended on June 4, 2013, is extended to July 5, 2013.

DATES:

The comment period for the proposed rule published in the April 5, 2013 Federal Register (78 FR 20564 through 20581) is extended to July 5, 2013.

ADDRESSES:

In commenting, please refer to file code CMS-3255-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. You may submit electronic comments on this regulation to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the “Submit a comment” instructions.

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-3255-P, P.O. Box 8016, Baltimore, MD 21244-8016.

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-3255-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 [phone] in advance to schedule your arrival with one of our staff members.

Comments mailed to the addresses indicated as appropriate for hand or courier delivery may be delayed and received after the comment period.

Submission of comments on paperwork requirements. You may submit comments on this document's paperwork requirements by following the instructions at the end of the “Collection of Information Requirements” section in this document.

For information on viewing public comments, see the beginning of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Cindy Melanson, [phone]; Patricia Chmielewski, [phone]; or Marilyn Dahl, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

In the April 5, 2013 Federal Register (78 FR 20564 through 20581), we published the Survey, Certification and Enforcement Procedures proposed rule that proposed to revise the survey, certification, and enforcement procedures related to CMS oversight of national accreditation organizations (AOs). These revisions would implement certain provisions under MIPPA. The proposed revisions would also clarify and strengthen our oversight of AOs that apply for, and are granted, recognition and approval of an accreditation program in accordance with the Social Security Act.

Because of the scope of the requested information and inquiries received from several industry and professional organizations/associations regarding the need for additional time to respond to our request, we are extending the comment period until July 5, 2013.

Dated: May 17, 2013.

Marilyn Tavenner,

Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.