Medicaid program; recovery audit contractors. Final rule

This final rule implements section 6411 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the Affordable Care Act), and provides guidance to States related to Federal/State funding of State start-up, operation and maintenance costs of Medicaid Recovery Audit Contractors (Medicaid RACs) and the payment methodology for State payments to Medicaid RACs. This rule also directs States to assure that adequate appeal processes are in place for providers to dispute adverse determinations made by Medicaid RACs. Lastly, the rule directs States to coordinate with other contractors and entities auditing Medicaid providers and with State and Federal law enforcement agencies.     

Medicare programs: changes to the end-stage renal disease prospective payment system transition budget-neutrality adjustment. Interim final rule with comment period

This interim final rule with comment will revise the end-stage renal disease (ESRD) transition budget-neutrality adjustment finalized in the CY 2011 ESRD Prospective Payment System (PPS) final rule for renal dialysis services provided on April 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011. We are revising the transition budget-neutrality adjustment to reflect the actual election decision to receive payment under the ESRD PPS for renal dialysis services furnished on or after January 1, 2011 made by ESRD facilities, rather than projected elections using the same methodology as described in the ESRD PPS proposed and final rules. This results in a zero percent adjustment for renal dialysis services furnished April 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011.     

Medicare program; end-stage renal disease prospective payment system and quality incentive program; ambulance fee schedule; durable medical equipment; and competitive acquisition of certain durable medical equipment prosthetics, orthotics and supplies. Final rule

This final rule updates and makes certain revisions to the End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) prospective payment system (PPS) for calendar year (CY) 2012. We are also finalizing the interim final rule with comment period published on April 6, 2011, regarding the transition budget-neutrality adjustment under the ESRD PPS,. This final rule also sets forth requirements for the ESRD quality incentive program (QIP) for payment years (PYs) 2013 and 2014. In addition, this final rule revises the ambulance fee schedule regulations to conform to statutory changes. This final rule also revises the definition of durable medical equipment (DME) by adding a 3-year minimum lifetime requirement (MLR) that must be met by an item or device in order to be considered durable for the purpose of classifying the item under the Medicare benefit category for DME. Finally, this final rule implements certain provisions of section 154 of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA) related to the durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Acquisition Program and responds to comments received on an interim final rule published January 16, 2009, that implemented these provisions of MIPPA effective April 18, 2009. (See the Table of Contents for a listing of the specific issues addressed in this final rule.)     

Medicare program; changes to the electronic prescribing (eRx) incentive program. Final rule

This final rule modifies the electronic prescribing (eRx) quality measure used for certain reporting periods in calendar year (CY) 2011; provides additional significant hardship exemption categories for eligible professionals and group practices to request an exemption during 2011 for the 2012 eRx payment adjustment due to a significant hardship; and extends the deadline for submitting requests for consideration for the two significant hardship exemption categories for the 2012 eRx payment adjustment that were finalized in the CY 2011 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule with comment period.     

浅析中华民国卫生法制之得失

本文分别从立法和法律实施的角度评价了中华民国卫生法制之得失,指出了卫生立法上的三项显著成就与四点明显不足,及法律实施过程中的成效与不足。通过对中华民国三十八年卫生法制得失的深入分析,旨在为当今卫生法制建设提供历史参照。     

Promoting Development and Innovation of China’s Human Rights Theory

This year marks the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC). as Party General Secretary hu Jintao said, for the past 90 years, under the leadership of the CPC, the Chinese people have accomplished the three missions of new Democratic Revolution, the Socialist Revolution and reform and opening-up. During the process, the Party and the people have opened a new path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, formed the theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics, as well as established a system of socialism with Chinese characteristics.     

2010年中欧关系的回顾与展望

2010年,由于《里斯本条约》的生效、《欧盟2020》战略的问世,尤其是主权债务危机的困扰,欧盟面临着内部调整和外部扩展的多重挑战。在此压力下,欧盟将对外战略东移,开始重点经营与中国的关系。本文回顾了2010年中欧关系的发展,认为中欧双方在经贸关系、科技合作、政党外交、社会合作、文化交流等领域取得了进展,在其他领域里的合作机制不断推进。然而,由于缺乏相互的深层了解,中欧之间存在着严重的认知鸿沟,将对中欧关系的未来发展产生不利影响。     

Medicare and Medicaid programs; reform of hospital and critical access hospital conditions of participation. Final rule

This final rule revises the requirements that hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs) must meet to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. These changes are an integral part of our efforts to reduce procedural burdens on providers. This rule reflects the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) commitment to the general principles of the President's Executive Order 13563, released January 18, 2011, entitled "Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review.'     

Pre-existing condition insurance plan program. Amendment to interim final rule with request for comments

This document contains an amendment regarding program eligibility to the interim final regulation implementing the Pre-Existing Condition Plan program under provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. In light of a new process recently announced by the Department of Homeland Security, eligibility for the program is being amended so that the program does not inadvertently expand the scope of that process.     

Specifications for medical examinations of underground coal miners. Final rule

This final rule modifies the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regulations for medical examinations of underground coal miners. Existing regulations established specifications for providing, interpreting, classifying, and submitting film-based roentgenograms (now commonly called chest radiographs or X-rays) of underground coal miners. The revised standards modify the requirements to permit the use of film-based radiography systems and add a parallel set of standards permitting the use of digital radiography systems. An additional amendment requires coal mine operators to provide the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) with employee rosters to assist the Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program in improving participation by miners.