Limitation on federal participation for capital expenditures--PHS. Notice of proposed rulemaking

Section 1122 of the Social Security Act, "Limitation on Federal Participation for Capital Expenditures," establishes under which the Secretary may deny Federal reimbursement under titles XVIII and XIX of the Act for expenses related to capital expenditures by or on behalf of health care facilities (1) which the health planning agency designated for a State has found to be inconsistent with standards, criteria, or plans developed under the Public Health Service Act, or (2) for which the designated planning agency was not provided notification as required. These proposed regulations include changes in the regulations now codified at 42 CFR Part 100 based on (1) the proposed amendments to the regulations published in the Federal Register on March 19, 1976, and comments submitted in response to that Notice, (2) the amendments to Title XV of the Public Health Service Act enacted by the Health Planning and Resources Development Amendments of 1979 (Pub. L. 96-79), the Health Programs Extension Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-538), and the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 (Pub. L. 97-35), and (3) the amendments to section 1122 enacted by the Health Maintenance Organization Amendments of 1978 (Pub. L. 95-559), the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 (Pub. L. 97-35), and the Social Security Amendments of 1983 (Pub. L. 98-21). Interested persons are invited to submit written comments and suggestions concerning this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM).     

Additional federal allotments to states for social services expenditures pursuant to the Title XX-Block Grants to States for Social Services--Office of Human Development Services, HHS

Section 2003 of the Social Security Act, as amended, authorizes $2.45 billion for allocation to the States for Social Services Block Grants--Fiscal Year 1983. Public Law 98-8, enacted March 245, 1983, appropriates an additional $225 million for Fiscal Year 1983. This notice contains State allotments and explanations of how the allotments were determined; conditions for receipt of these funds and other information.     

Revised federal allotments to states for social services expenditure pursuant to Title XX--Social Services Block Grant Act; promulgation for fiscal year 1985--HHS

The FY 1985 Federal allotments of $2.6 billion to States for social services under Section 2003 of the Social Security Act (Act) which were published in the Federal Register on October 27, 1983 (48 FR 49697) were based upon the authorization set forth in Section 2003 of the Act at the time they were prepared. Pub. L. 98-135, enacted October 24, 1983, amended Section 2003 of the Act by increasing the authorization to $2.7 billion for Fiscal Year 1984 and each succeeding fiscal year. Accordingly, the initial promulgation is rescinded and the promulgation as revised is set forth in the table below. These allotments are contingent upon Congressional appropriations actions for the year. If the Congress enacts, and the President approves, an amount different from the authorization, the allotments will be adjusted proportionately.     

Federal Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance; coverage of employees of private nonprofit organizations--SSA. Proposed rules

These proposed rules implement sections 102, 321, 322 and 323 of Pub. L. 98-21 (the Social Security Amendments of 1983). Generally, these provisions: (1) Mandatorily cover for Social Security purposes employees of private nonprofit organizations; (2) Provide additional Social Security coverage for certain work performed outside the United States (U.S.); (3) Provide coverage under the Social Security program for certain foreign earned income; (4) Provide special Social Security insured status requirements for certain nonprofit organization employees covered as a result of these amendments; and (5) Provide Social Security coverage for employment and self-employment that is identified as "covered" for purposes of title II of the Social Security Act (the Act) by the provisions of a totalization agreement between the U.S. and another country.     

Federal old-age, survivors, and disability insurance and supplemental security income for the aged, blind, and disabled; evaluating opinion evidence. Social Security Administration. Final rules

We are revising the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) regulations concerning the evaluation of medical opinions to clarify how administrative law judges and the Appeals Council are to consider opinion evidence from State agency medical and psychological consultants, other program physicians and psychologists, and medical experts we consult in claims for disability benefits under titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act (the Act). We are also defining and clarifying several terms used in our regulations and deleting other terms.     

Old-age, survivors, and disability insurance and supplemental security income for the aged, blind, and disabled; substantial gainful activity amounts. Social Security Administration. Final rules

We are revising the rules for determining when earnings demonstrate the ability to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA). This rule change applies to Social Security disability benefits provided under title II of the Social Security Act (the Act) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits based on disability under title XVI of the Act. (Eligibility for benefits under titles II and XVI also confers eligibility for related Medicare and Medicaid benefits under titles XVIII and XIX of the Act.) Specifically, we are raising from $500 to $700 the average monthly earning guidelines used to determine whether work done by persons with impairments other than blindness is SGA. We are raising this level as part of efforts to encourage individuals with disabilities to attempt to work, and to provide an updated indicator of when earnings demonstrate the ability to engage in SGA. This increase reflects our assessment of the amount that roughly corresponds to wage growth since the last increase in 1990.     

Disability determinations by state agency disability examiners. Final rules

We are revising our rules on a temporary basis to permit State agency disability examiners to make fully favorable determinations in certain claims for disability benefits under titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act (Act) without the approval of a State agency medical or psychological consultant. These changes apply only to claims we consider under our rules for quick disability determinations (QDD) or under our compassionate allowance initiative.     

Medicare program; Part A. Premium for the uninsured aged for 1991--HCFA. Notice

This notice announces the hospital insurance premium for the uninsured aged for calendar year 1991 under Medicare's hospital insurance program (Part A). The monthly Medicare Part A premium for the 12 months beginning January 1, 1991 for individuals who are not insured under the Social Security or Railroad Retirement Acts and do not otherwise meet the requirements for entitlement to Part A is $177. Section 1818(d) of the Social Security Act specifies the method to be used to determine this amount.     

Modifications to the disability determination procedures; disability claims process redesign prototype. Social Security Administration. Notice of a prototype involving modifications to the disability determination procedures

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is announcing a prototype involving a combination of modifications to the disability determination process. Before proceeding to national implementation, we expect that this prototype will provide a body of information about what impact these modifications may have on agency operations, notice and other procedures, as well as the resulting quality and timeliness of decisions for the public.     

Medicare program; monthly actuarial rates and monthly supplementary medical insurance premium rate beginning January 1, 1996--HCFA. Notice

As required by section 1839 of the Social Security Act, this notice announces the monthly actuarial rates for aged (age 65 or over) and disabled (under age 65) enrollees in the Medicare Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI) program for 1996. It also announces the monthly SMI premium rate to be paid by all enrollees during 1996. The monthly actuarial rates for 1996 are $84.90 for aged enrollees and $105.10 for disabled enrollees. The monthly SMI premium rate for 1996 is $42.50.     

Medicare program; monthly actuarial rates and monthly supplementary medical insurance premium rate beginning January 1, 1998--HCFA. Notice

As required by section 1839 of the Social Security Act, this notice announces the monthly actuarial rates for aged (age 65 or over) and disabled (under age 65) enrollees in the Medicare Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI) program for 1998. It also announces the monthly SMI premium rate to be paid by all enrollees during 1998. The monthly actuarial rates for 1998 are $87.90 for aged enrollees and $97.10 for disabled enrollees. The monthly SMI premium rate for 1998 is $3.80.     

Medicare program; monthly actuarial rates and monthly supplementary medical insurance premium rates beginning January 1, 1995--HCFA. Notice

As required by section 1839 of the Social Security Act, this notice announces the monthly actuarial rates for aged (age 65 or over) and disabled (under age 65) enrollees in the Medicare Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI) program for calendar year 1995. It also announces the monthly SMI premium rate to be paid by all enrollees during calendar year 1995. The monthly actuarial rates for 1995 are $73.10 for aged enrollees and $105.80 for disabled enrollees. The monthly SMI premium rate for 1995 is $46.10.     

Medicare program; schedule of limits on home health agency costs per visit for cost reporting periods beginning on or after July 1, 1993--HCFA. Notice with comment period

This notice sets forth a revised schedule of limits on home health agency costs that may be paid under the Medicare program. As required by section 1861(v)(1)(L)(iii) of the Social Security Act (the Act), these limits are based on the current hospital wage index.     

Medicare program; monthly actuarial rates and monthly supplementary medical insurance premium rates beginning January 1, 1992--HCFA. Notice

As required by section 1839 of the Social Security Act, this notice announces the monthly actuarial rates for aged (age 65 or over) and disabled (under age 65) enrollees in the Medicare Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI) program for calendar year 1992. It also announces the monthly SMI premium rate to be paid by all enrollees during calendar year 1992. The monthly actuarial rates for 1992 are $60.80 for aged enrollees and $80.80 for disabled enrollees. The monthly SMI premium rate for 1992 is $31.80.     

Medicare program; monthly actuarial rates and monthly supplementary medical insurance premium rates beginning January 1, 1993--HCFA. Notice

As required by section 1839 of the Social Security Act, this notice announces the monthly actuarial rates for aged (age 65 or over) and disabled (under age 65) enrollees in the Medicare Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI) program for calendar year 1993. It also announces the monthly SMI premium rate to be paid by all enrollees during calendar year 1993. The monthly actuarial rates for 1993 are $70.50 for aged enrollees and $82.90 for disabled enrollees. The monthly SMI premium rate for 1993 is $36.60.     

Medicare program; monthly actuarial rates and monthly supplementary medical insurance premium rates beginning January 1, 1994--HCFA. Notice

As required by section 1839 of the Social Security Act, this notice announces the monthly actuarial rates for aged (age 65 or over) and disabled (under age 65) enrollees in the Medicare Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI) program for calendar year 1994. It also announces the monthly SMI premium rate to be paid by all enrollees during calendar year 1994. The monthly actuarial rates for 1994 are $61.80 for aged enrollees and $76.10 for disabled enrollees. The monthly SMI premium rate for 1994 is $41.10.     

Medicare program; monthly actuarial rates and monthly supplementary medical insurance premium rates beginning January 1, 1991--HCFA. Notice

As required by section 1839 of the Social Security Act, this notice announces the monthly actuarial rates for aged (age 65 or over) and disabled (under age 65) enrollees in the Medicare Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI) program for calendar year 1991. It also announces the monthly SMI premium rate to be paid by all enrollees during calendar year 1991. The monthly actuarial rates for 1991 are $62.60 for aged enrollees and $56.00 for disabled enrollees. The monthly SMI premium rate for 1991 is $29.90.     

Medicare program; Part A premium for 1994 for the uninsured aged and for certain disabled individuals who have exhausted other entitlement--HCFA. Notice

This notice announces the hospital insurance premium for calendar year 1994 under Medicare's hospital insurance program (Part A) for the uninsured aged and for certain disabled individuals who have exhausted other entitlement. The monthly Medicare Part A premium for the 12 months beginning January 1, 1994 for these individuals is $245. The reduced premium for certain other individuals as described in this notice is $184. Section 1818(d) of the Social Security Act specifies the method to be used to determine these amounts.     

Medicare program; Part A premium for 1996 for the uninsured aged and for certain disabled individuals who have exhausted other entitlement--HCFA. Notice

This notice announces the hospital insurance premium for calendar year 1996 under Medicare's hospital insurance program (Part A) for the uninsured aged and for certain disabled individuals who have exhausted other entitlement. The monthly Medicare Part A premium for the 12 months beginning January 1, 1996 for these individuals is $289. The reduced premium for certain other individuals as described in this notice is $188. Section 1818(d) of the Social Security Act specifies the method to be used to determine these amounts.     

Medicare program; Part A premium for 1997 for the uninsured aged and for certain disabled individuals who have exhausted other entitlement--HCFA. Notice

This notice announces the hospital insurance premium for calendar year 1997 under Medicare's hospital insurance program (Part A) for the uninsured aged and for certain disabled individuals who have exhausted other entitlement. The monthly Medicare Part A premium for the 12 months beginning January 1, 1997 for these individuals is $311. The reduced premium for certain other individuals as described in this notice is $187. Section 1818(d) of the Social Security Act specifies the method to be used to determine these amounts.