Medicare Program; Changes in Conditions of Participation Requirements and Payment Provisions for Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers (CMS-1910-P2)

Document ID: CMS-2008-0079-0001
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Agency: Centers For Medicare & Medicaid Services
Topics: No Topics associated with this document
Federal Register Number: E8-13280
CFR Citation: 42 CFR 405,410,491
View Document:

Details Information

Abstract:	This proposed rule would establish location requirements including exception criteria for rural health clinics (RHCs). It would also require RHCs to establish a quality assessment and performance improvement (QAPI) program. In addition, it would: clarify our policies on "commingling" of an RHC with another entity; revise the RHC and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) payment methodology and exceptions to the per visit payment limit to implement statutory requirements; revise RHC and FQHC payment requirements for services furnished to skilled nursing facility (SNF) patients; allow RHCs to contract with RHC nonphysician providers under certain circumstances; and update the regulations pertaining to waivers to the staffing requirements. This proposed rule would also add requirements for RHCs and FQHCs to maintain and document an infection control process and to post RHC or FQHC hours of clinical services. In addition, this proposed rule would update the requirements under the emergency services standard and patient health records condition for certification (CfC) to reflect advancements in technology and treatment. Finally, this proposed rule solicits comments on payment for high cost drugs and the appropriateness of a mental health specialty clinic as an exception to the location requirements.
Received Date:	June 27 2008, at 07:06 AM Eastern Daylight Time
Start-End Page:	36695 - 36719
Page Count:	25
Comment Start Date:	June 27 2008, at 12:00 AM Eastern Standard Time
Comment Due Date:	August 26 2008, at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time