Proposed Rules. Notice of reopening of comment period for proposed rule

Agency: Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), HHS
Action: Notice of reopening of comment period for proposed rule
Citation: FR Doc. 00-22702 · RIN 0938-AI49 · HCFA-6003-N · 42 CFR 405

Summary

We published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on October 25, 1999 (64 FR 57431). That proposed rule would affect appeal rights for suppliers whose enrollment applications for Medicare billing privileges are disallowed by a carrier, or whose Medicare billing privileges are revoked. This document reopens and extends the comment period for that proposed rule until January 4, 2001.

Dates

The comment period is reopened to 5 p.m. on January 4, 2001.

Supplementary Information

On October 25, 1999, we published a proposed rule in the Federal Register (64 FR 57431) that would extend appeal rights to all physicians and other suppliers whose enrollment applications for Medicare billing privileges are disallowed by a carrier or whose Medicare billing privileges are revoked. That rule would be applicable to all suppliers except for those covered under other existing appeals provisions of our regulations. In addition, we proposed to revise certain appeal provisions to correspond with the existing appeal provisions in those other sections of our regulations. We also proposed to extend appeal rights to all suppliers not covered by existing regulations to ensure they have a full and fair opportunity to be heard. Although we were not required by the Administrative Procedure Act to publish that rule as a proposed rule (see 5 U.S.C. section 553(b)(3)(A)), we did so in order to allow interested parties the opportunity for prior notice and comment. Because of the complexity and scope of the proposed rule and because representatives of several industry and professional associations and organizations requested additional time to analyze the potential consequences of the rule, we are reopening and extending the comment period until January 4, 2001. We are also taking this opportunity to make a minor change to the title of the proposed rule. Specifically, we are clarifying that this rule would apply to all suppliers, including physicians and other practitioners. Although physicians are defined as suppliers at 42 CFR 400.202, the American Medical Association voiced concern that physicians may not be aware that the proposed rule applies to them. In an effort to avoid any confusion, we are adding the term “physicians” to the title of the proposed rule. Authority: Secs. 1102, 1842(b)(3)(c), and 1869(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1302, 1395u(b)(3)(c), and 1395ff(b)). (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 93.774, Medicare—Supplementary Medical Insurance Program) Dated: February 14, 2000. Nancy-Ann Min DeParle, Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration. Dated: March 27, 2000. Donna E. Shalala, Secretary. [FR Doc. 00-22702 Filed 9-5-00; 8:45 am]