Medicare program; durable medical equipment regional carrier service areas and related matters. Final rule

This final rule provides a mechanism for us to expeditiously make changes to the durable medical equipment regional carrier (DMERC) service area boundaries without notice and comment rulemaking. Through this mechanism, we can change the geographical boundaries served by the regional contractors that process durable medical equipment claims through issuance of a Federal Register notice and make other minor changes in the contract administration of the DMERCs. The mechanism provides a method for increasing or decreasing the number of DMERCs, changing the boundaries of DMERCs based on criteria other than the boundaries of the Common Working File sectors, and awarding new contractors to perform statistical analysis or maintain the national supplier clearinghouse. We will publish these changes and their justifications in a Federal Register notice, rather than through notice and comment rulemaking. Although we may change the number and configuration of regional carriers, we are not altering the criteria and factors that we use in awarding contracts. Through this final rule, we are improving the contracting process so that we can swiftly meet the challenges of the changing healthcare industry and address the changing needs of beneficiaries, suppliers, and the Medicare program.     

Fair credit reporting medical information regulations. Final rules

The OCC, Board, FDIC, OTS, and NCUA (Agencies) are publishing final rules to implement section 411 of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 (FACT Act). The final rules create exceptions to the statute's general prohibition on creditors obtaining or using medical information pertaining to a consumer in connection with any determination of the consumer's eligibility, or continued eligibility, for credit for all creditors. The exceptions permit creditors to obtain or use medical information in connection with credit eligibility determinations where necessary and appropriate for legitimate purposes, consistent with the Congressional intent to restrict the use of medical information for inappropriate purposes. The final rules also create limited exceptions to permit affiliates to share medical information with each other without becoming consumer reporting agencies. The final rules are substantially similar to the rules adopted by the Agencies on an interim final basis in June 2005.     

Medicaid program; state allotments for payment of Medicare Part B premiums for qualifying individuals: federal fiscal year 2005. Interim final rule with comment period

This interim final rule with comment period sets forth the methodology used to compute State allotments that are available to pay Medicare Part B premiums for qualifying individuals, allows changes to the State allotments and describes the methodology used to determine the changes to each State's allotment.     

加强和改进党政干部教育培训的若干思考

党政干部教育培训是我国教育事业的重要组成部分。宁夏党政干部教育培训工作在培训主体、培训客体和管理环节方面都不同程度地存在着问题,需要树立和实践"大教育、大培训"的新理念,建立健全党政干部教育法规、制度和机制,通过整合教育资源、建设教育培训的主渠道等途径来加以解决。     

HIPAA administrative simplification: standard unique health identifier for health care providers. Final rule

This final rule establishes the standard for a unique health identifier for health care providers for use in the health care system and announces the adoption of the National Provider Identifier (NPI) as that standard. It also establishes the implementation specifications for obtaining and using the standard unique health identifier for health care providers. The implementation specifications set the requirements that must be met by "covered entities": Health plans, health care clearinghouses, and those health care providers who transmit any health information in electronic form in connection with a transaction for which the Secretary has adopted a standard (known as "covered health care providers"). Covered entities must use the identifier in connection with standard transactions. The use of the NPI will improve the Medicare and Medicaid programs, and other Federal health programs and private health programs, and the effectiveness and efficiency of the health care industry in general, by simplifying the administration of the health care system and enabling the efficient electronic transmission of certain health information. This final rule implements some of the requirements of the Administrative Simplification subtitle F of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).     

Medicare program; interest calculation. Final Rule

This final rule changes the way we calculate interest on Medicare overpayments and underpayments to providers, suppliers, health maintenance organizations, competitive medical plans, and health care prepayment plans to be more reflective of current business practices. This change reduces the amount of interest assessed on overpayments and underpayments and simplifies the way the interest is calculated. This change in the way we calculate interest also applies to Medicare Secondary Payer debt.     

TRICARE Program; inclusion of anesthesiologist assistants as authorized providers; coverage of cardiac rehabilitation in freestanding cardiac rehabilitation facilities. Final rule

This final rule establishes a new category of provider as an authorized TRICARE provider and it increases the settings where cardiac rehabilitation can be covered as a TRICARE benefit. It recognizes anesthesiologist assistants (AAs) as authorized providers under certain circumstances. It also authorizes cardiac rehabilitation services, which are already a covered TRICARE benefit when provided by hospitals, to be provided in freestanding cardiac rehabilitation facilities.     

Medicare program; elimination of statement of intent procedures for filing Medicare claims. Final rule

This final rule removes the written statement of intent (SOI) procedures, set forth in 42 CFR 424.45, used to extend the time for filing Medicare claims. In the absence of an SOI, providers and suppliers (and, where applicable, beneficiaries) have from 15 to 27 months (depending on the date of service) to file claims with Medicare contractors.