Medicare: Physician fee schedule (2006 CY); payment policies and relative value units; correction,
[Federal Register: February 24, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 37)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 9458-9466]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24fe06-15]
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
42 CFR Parts 405, 410, 411, 413, 414, 424 and 426
[CMS-1502-F2 and CMS-1325-F]
RIN 0938-AN84 and 098-AN58
Medicare Program; Revisions to Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule for Calendar Year 2006 and Certain Provisions Related to the Competitive Acquisition Program of Outpatient Drugs and Biologicals Under Part B; Correcting Amendment
AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.
ACTION: Correcting amendment to final rule with comment.
SUMMARY: In the November 21, 2005 Federal Register (70 FR 70116), we published a final rule with comment period entitled ``Medicare Program; Revisions to Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule for Calendar Year 2006 and Certain Provisions Related to the Competitive Acquisition Program of Outpatient Drugs and Biologicals Under Part B.'' This correcting amendment corrects technical errors in the November 21, 2005 publication.
EFFECTIVE DATE: This correcting amendment is effective January 1, 2006.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diane Milstead, (410) 786-3355.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
-
Background
FR Doc. 05-22160, entitled ``Medicare Program; Revisions to Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule for Calendar Year 2006 and Certain Provisions Related to the Competitive Acquisition Program of Outpatient Drugs and Biologicals Under Part B'' and appearing in the Federal Register on November 21, 2005 (70 FR 70116), addressed Medicare Part B payment policy, including the physician fee schedule, that is applicable for calendar year (CY) 2006; and finalized certain provisions of the interim final rule to implement the Competitive Acquisition Program (CAP) for Part B Drugs.
It also revised Medicare Part B payment and related policies regarding: Physician work, practice expense and malpractice relative value units (RVUs); Medicare telehealth services; multiple diagnostic imaging procedures; covered outpatient drugs and biologicals; supplemental payments to Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs); renal dialysis services; coverage for glaucoma screening services; National Coverage Decision (NCD) timeframes; and physician referrals for nuclear medicine services and supplies to health care entities with which physicians have financial relationships.
In addition, the rule finalized the interim RVUs for CY 2005 and issued interim RVUs for new and revised procedure codes for CY 2006. This rule also updated the codes subject to the physician self-referral prohibition and discussed payment policies relating to teaching anesthesia services, therapy caps, private contracts and opt-out, and chiropractic and oncology demonstrations.
We have identified a number of technical errors in that final rule with comment period.
-
Summary of Errors
We are identifying and correcting errors made to certain parts of the preamble, regulations text and addenda of the November 21, 2005 final rule with comment (70 FR 70116). In addition, addendum B, C, D, E and F are revised under this correcting amendment, although these addenda will not appear in the Code of Federal Regulations.
-
Summary of Preamble Errors
In the preamble text, there were a number of errors and omissions beginning on pages 70150 through 70335.
1. On page 70150, in the first column, in the last paragraph under Section m. (Additional PE Issues Raised by Commenters), in the second sentence, the number of the CPT code referenced is incorrect.
2. On page 70155, in the center column, the last sentence of the second paragraph under the discussion titled, ``3. Cardiac Catheritization and Angioplasty Exception,'' there was an error in one of the code ranges referenced.
3. On page 70263, in the third column; in last paragraph, the reference to Table 26 is incorrect.
4. On page 70263, Table 26 was numbered incorrectly.
5. On page 70274, in the first column; in the second paragraph language concerning the specific deleted practice
[[Page 9459]]
expense items was inadvertently omitted.
6. On page 70282, in the second column; from the top of the column, lines 8 through 11, the sentence, ``We are assigning a status indicator of N for these services because they are nonvcovered under Medicare.'' reflects an incorrect status indicator and will be revised.
7. On page 70282, in the third column; we inadvertently omitted a paragraph before section F. (Establishment of Interim PE RVUs for New and Revised Physician's Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Codes and New Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Codes for 2006).
8. On page 70296, in the second column; in the last paragraph, in line 6, we incorrectly used the term ``PFS'', and that term will be replaced.
9. On page 70302, in Table 35, the figures for Annual Actual Expenditures and the Cumulative Actual Expenditures, for the period of 1/1/03-12/31/03, are incorrect and will be revised.
10. On page 70316, the first column, the percentage adjustment referenced in the third complete sentence is incorrect and will be revised.
11. On page 70320, the second footnote to Table 49 has incorrectly listed the numerical scaler. This footnote will be corrected.
These corrections are reflected in Section III.A of this correcting amendment.
-
Summary of Regulations Text Errors
In the regulation text, there were technical errors and omissions in Sec. 405.2469, Sec. 414.190, Sec. 414.904, Sec. 414.906, and Sec. 426.340.
1. On page 70329, in the third column, under Sec. 405.2469, paragraph (a)(1) does not reflect the correct format for amendatory language. Paragraph (a)(1) will be restructured.
2. On page 70331, in the third column, the reference to Sec. 414.190 is incorrect.
3. On page 70332, in the third column, the title (Basis for payment.) for Sec. 414.904 is incorrect.
4. On page 70333, in the first column, under Sec. 414.906, we inadvertently omitted a change to bring the regulations text into conformity with our policy on updating CAP drug prices, as described in the interim final rule with comment period published July 6, 2005.
5. On page 70335, in the first column, under Sec. 426.340, the statutory references in paragraphs (e)(2)(ii) and (f)(2)(ii) are incorrect.
The corrections are reflected in section III.B. of this correcting amendment.
-
Summary of Addendum B, C, D, E and F Errors
1. In Addendum B, pages 70337 through 70463, we are making the following corrections:
a. We assigned incorrect RVUs to the following Physicians' CPT or HCPCS codes:
50000:
i. 52648; 60000:
ii. 61630, 61635; 80000:
iii. 88385-26, 88385-TC, 88385, 88386-26, 88386-TC, and 88386; 90000:
iv. 90760, 90761, 90765, 90766, 90767, 90768, 90772, 90773, 90774, 90775, 92626, 92627, 93514, 96401, 96402, 96405, 96406, 96409, 96411, 96413, 96415, 96416, 96417, 96420, 96440, 96450, 96521, 96522, 96542, 97606, 99300, 99324, 99325, 99326, 99327, 99328, 99334, 99335, 99336, and 99337.
b. We assigned an incorrect global period for CPT code 92627.
c. We assigned incorrect status indicators to the following CPT or codes 0141T, 0142T, 0143T, 88385-26, 88385-TC, 88385, 88386-26, 88386- TC, 88386, 96523, 98960, 98961, 98962 and 99340.
d. The following HCPCS codes were inadvertently included: G9041, G9042, G9043 and G9044. These numbers should not have been included because they were not in effect.
e. HCPCS code G0332 was inadvertently omitted from the addendum.
f. The first footnote to addendum B should be corrected to read ``\1\CPT codes and descriptions only. Copyright 2005 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. Applicable FARS/DFARS apply.''
These corrections are reflected in Sections III.C.1. and 2. of this correcting amendment.
2. In Addendum C, pages 70463 through 70466, we are making the following corrections:
a. We assigned incorrect RVUs to the following CPT or alphanumeric HCPCS number for service codes:
60000:
i. 61630 and 61635. 80000:
ii. 88385-26 and 88386-26. 90000:
iii. 90760, 90761, 90765, 90766, 90767, 90768, 90772, 90773, 90774, 90775, 92626, 92627, 96401, 96402, 96409, 96411, 96413, 96415, 96416, 96417, 96450, 96521, 96522, 96523, 96542, 99300, 99324, 99325, 99326, 99327, 99328, 99334, 99335, 99336 and 99337.
b. We assigned incorrect status indicators to the following CPT codes 88385-26, 88386-26, 98960, 98961, 98962 and 99340.
These corrections are reflected in Section III.C.3 of this correcting amendment.
3. In Addendum D, pages 70466 through 70467, we are correcting the locality name ``Kansas*'' to read ``Kansas''.
These corrections are reflected in Section III.C.4 of this correcting amendment.
4. In Addendum E, pages 70468 through 70469, we are correcting the locality name ``Kansas*'' to read ``Kansas''.
These corrections are reflected in Section III.C.5 of this correcting amendment.
5. In Addendum F, pages 70469 through 70471, we are correcting this Addendum by replacing this Addendum in its entirety to address two errors. First, we inadvertently left a discontinued HCPCS code, J1750, on Addendum F. This code was replaced by J1751 and J1752 which are found on Addendum G ``Revised New Drugs for CAP Bidding for 2006''. Second, we included a new HCPCS code, J7318, which we understood would replace HCPCS codes J7317 and J7320. HCPCS J7318 was not issued and HCPCS codes J7317 & J3120 were retained. We have reweighted and corrected Addendum F to reflect these changes.
These corrections are reflected in Section III.C.6 of this correcting amendment.
-
-
Correction of Errors
In FR Doc. 05-22160, entitled ``Medicare Program; Revisions to Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule for Calendar Year 2006 and Certain Provisions Related to the Competitive Acquisition Program of Outpatient Drugs and Biologicals Under Part B,'' which appeared in the Federal Register on November 21, 2005 (70 FR 70116), make the following corrections:
-
Correction of Preamble Errors
1. On page 70150, in the first column; in the last paragraph under Section m. (Additional PE Issues Raised by Commenters), in the second sentence, the number ``99755'' is corrected to read ``97755''.
2. On page 70155, in the center column; the last sentence of the second paragraph under the discussion titled, ``3. Cardiac Catheterization and
[[Page 9460]]
Angioplasty Exception,'' the number ``93617'' is corrected to read ``93618''.
3. On page 70263, in the third column; in the last paragraph, the phrase ``Table 26'' is corrected to read ``Table 26A''.
4. On page 70263, the table heading ``Table 26.--Example of Payments'' is corrected to read ``Table 26A.--Example of Payments''.
5. On page 70274, in the first column; in the second paragraph, the paragraph is corrected by adding a new sentence at the end of the paragraph to read as follows: ``Because payment for the supplies and equipment for both of these procedures is provided under a separate DMERC policy, we have deleted the following practice expense items from these codes: Supplies deleted include dressings, both Adaptic and microporous, the drainage canister, and the sharp debridement kit-- which was identified as not being needed for the typical scenario; and, the vacuum pump was deleted from the equipment.''
6. On page 70282, in the second column; lines 8 through 11, the sentence, ``We are assigning a status indicator of N for these services because they are noncovered under Medicare.'' is corrected to read, ``We are assigning a status indicator of B for these services because payment for these services is bundled into payment for other Medicare services.''
7. On page 70282, in the third column; we are adding a new paragraph before section F. (Establishment of Interim PE RVUs for New and Revised Physician's Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Codes and New Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Codes for 2006). The new paragraph reads as follows: ``CPT code 99339 Individual physician supervision of patient (patient not present) in home, domiciliary or rest home (e.g., assisted living facility) requiring complex and multidisciplinary care modalities involving regular physician development and/or revision of care plans, review of subsequent reports of patient status, review of related laboratory and other studies, communication (including telephone calls) for purposes of assessment care decisions with health care professional(s), family member(s), surrogate decision maker(s) (e.g., legal guardian) and/or key caregiver(s) involved in patient's care, integration of new information into the medical treatment plan and/or adjustment of medical therapy, within a calendar month; 15-29 minutes.
CPT code 99340 Individual physician supervision of patient (patient not present) in home, domiciliary or rest home (e.g., assisted living facility) requiring complex and multidisciplinary care modalities involving regular physician development and/or revision of care plans, review of subsequent reports of patient status, review of related laboratory and other studies, communication (including telephone calls) for purposes of assessment care decisions with health care professional(s), family member(s), surrogate decision maker(s) (e.g., legal guardian) and/or key caregiver(s) involved inpatient's care, integration of new information into the medical treatment plan and/or adjustment of medical therapy, within a calendar month; 30 minutes or more. We are assigning a status indicator of B for these codes because payment for these services is bundled into payment for other services.''
8. On page 70296, in the second column; in the last paragraph, in line 6, the term ``PFS'' is corrected to read ``Code List''.
9. On page 70302, in Table 35; in the third column titled ``Annual Actual Expenditures'', in line 10 (1/1/03-12/31/03) of that column, ``76.8'' is corrected to read ``78.2''; and in the fifth column titled ``Cumulative Actual Expenditures'', in line 10 (1/1/03-12/31/03) of that column, ``460.6'' is corrected to read ``462.0''.
10. On page 70316, in the first column; in the third complete sentence, the figure ``-0.6'' is corrected to read ``-0.15''.
11. On page 70320, in the second footnote to Table 49, the figure ``0.9984'' is corrected to read ``0.9985''.
-
Correction of Regulation Text Errors
List of Subjects
42 CFR Part 405
Administrative practice and procedure, Health facilities, Health professions, Kidney diseases, Medical devices, Medicare, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Rural areas, X-rays.
42 CFR Part 414
Administrative practice and procedure, Health facilities, Health professions, Kidney diseases, Medicare, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
42 CFR Part 426
Administrative practice and procedure, Medicare, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
Given the errors summarized in section II.B. of this correcting amendment, we are making the following correcting amendments to 42 CFR parts 405, 414, and 426:
PART 405--FEDERAL HEALTH INSURANCE FOR THE AGED AND DISABLED
0 1. The authority citation for part 405 continues to read as follows:
Authority: Secs. 1102, 1861, 1862(a), 1871, 1874, 1881, and 1886(k) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1302, 1395x, 1395y(a), 1395hh, 1395kk, 1395rr, and 1395ww(k)), and sec. 353 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 263a).
0 2. Section 405.2469 is amended by revising paragraph (a)(1) to read as follows:
Sec. 405.2469 Federally Qualified Health Centers supplemental payments.
* * * * *
(a) Calculation of supplemental payment. (1) The supplemental payment for Federally Qualified Health Center covered services provided to Medicare patients enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans is based on the difference between--
(i) Payments received by the center from the Medicare Advantage plan as determined on a per visit basis; and
(ii) The Federally Qualified Health Center's all-inclusive cost- based per visit rate as set forth in this subpart, less any amount the FQHC may charge as described in section 1857(e)(3)(B) of the Act. * * * * *
PART 414--PAYMENT FOR PART B MEDICAL AND OTHER HEALTH SERVICES
0 3. The authority citation for part 414 continues to read as follows:
Authority: Secs. 1102, 1871, and 1881(b)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1302, 1395hh, and 1395rr(b)(1)).
0 4. Section 414.906 is amended by revising paragraph (c)(1) introductory text to read as follows:
Sec. 414.906 Competitive acquisition program as the basis of payment.
* * * * *
(c) Computation of payment amount. (1) Except as specified in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, payment for CAP drugs is based on bids submitted, as a result of the bidding process as described in Sec. 414.910. Based on these bids, a single payment amount for each CAP drug in the competitive acquisition area is determined on the basis of the bids submitted and accepted and updated from the bidding period to the payment year. This single payment amount is then updated on an annual
[[Page 9461]]
basis based on the approved CAP vendor's reasonable net acquisition costs for that category as determined by CMS, based, in part, on information disclosed to CMS and limited by the weighted payment amount established under section 1847A of the Act across all drugs for which a composite bid is required in the category, and limited by the payment amount established under section 1847A of the Act for each other drug for which the approved CAP vendor submits a bid in accordance with Sec. 414.910. Adjustment to the payment amounts may be made more often than annually, but no more often than quarterly, in any of the following cases: * * * * *
PART 426--REVIEW OF NATIONAL COVERAGE DETERMINATIONS AND LOCAL COVERAGE DETERMINATIONS
0 5. The authority citation for part 426 continues to read as follows:
Authority: Secs. 1102 and 1871 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1302 and 1395hh).
0 6. Section 426.340 is amended by revising paragraphs (e)(2)(ii) and (f)(2)(ii) to read as follows:
Sec. 426.340 Procedures for review of new evidence.
* * * * *
(e) * * *
(2) * * *
(ii) For NCDs, in compliance with the timeframes specified in section 1862(1) of the Act, by which CMS completes the reconsideration.
(f) * * *
(2) * * *
(ii) For NCDs, the reconsideration timeframe specified by the Board, in compliance with section 1862(l) of the Act. * * * * *
-
Correction of Addendum Errors
0 Given the errors summarized in Section II.C of this correcting amendment, we are making the following corrections to Addendum B, C, D, E, and F. These addenda will not appear in the Code of Federal Regulations. 0 1. On pages 70337 through 70463, the following entries to Addendum B are corrected to read as follows:
Addendum B.--Relative Value Units (RVUs) and Related Information--Continued
Physician Nonfacility Facility PE Malpractice Nonfacility Facility CPT 1/HCPCS 2
Mod
Status
Description
work RVUs 3 PE RVUs
RVUs
RVUs
total
total
Global
0141T................................. ..... I................ Perq islet transplant........
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00 XXX 0142T................................. ..... I................ Open islet transplant........
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00 XXX 0143T................................. ..... I................ Laparoscopic islet transplant
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00 XXX ..... ................. ............................. ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ................. 52648................................. ..... A................ Laser surgery of prostate....
11.19
74.15
4.80
0.79
86.07
16.78 090 ..... ................. ............................. ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ................. 61630................................. ..... N................ Intracranial angioplasty..... +21.08
NA
12.53
2.01
NA
35.62 090 61635................................. ..... N................ Intracran angioplasty w/stent +23.08
NA
13.58
2.20
NA
38.86 090 ..... ................. ............................. ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ................. 88385................................. 26 A................ Eval molecul probes, 51-250..
1.50
0.65
NA
0.06
2.21
NA XXX 88385................................. TC A................ Eval molecul probes, 51-250..
0.00
6.45
NA
0.06
6.51
NA XXX 88385................................. ..... A................ Eval molecul probes, 51-250..
1.50
7.10
NA
0.12
8.72
NA XXX 88386................................. 26 A................ Eval molecul probes, 251-500.
1.88
0.82
NA
0.08
2.78
NA XXX 88386................................. TC A................ Eval molecul probes, 251-500.
0.00
6.23
NA
0.08
6.31
NA XXX 88386................................. ..... A................ Eval molecul probes, 251-500.
1.88
7.05
NA
0.16
9.09
NA XXX ..... ................. ............................. ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ................. 90760................................. ..... A................ Hydration iv infusion init...
0.17
1.43
NA
0.07
1.67
NA XXX 90761................................. ..... A................ Hydrate iv infusion, add-on..
0.09
0.40
NA
0.04
0.53
NA ZZZ 90765................................. ..... A................ Ther/proph/diag iv inf, init.
0.2
11.76
NA
0.07
2.04
NA XXX 90766................................. ..... A................ Ther/proph/dg iv inf, add-on.
0.18
0.46
NA
0.04
0.68
NA ZZZ 90767................................. ..... A................ Tx/proph/dg addl seq iv inf..
0.19
0.89
NA
0.04
1.12
NA ZZZ 90768................................. ..... A................ Ther/diag concurrent inf.....
0.17
0.44
NA
0.04
0.65
NA ZZZ 90772................................. ..... A................ Ther/proph/diag inj, sc/im...
0.17
0.31
NA
0.01
0.49
NA XXX 90773................................. ..... A................ Ther/proph/diag inj, ia......
0.17
0.31
NA
0.02
0.50
NA XXX 90774................................. ..... A................ Ther/proph/diag inj, iv push.
0.18
1.30
NA
0.04
1.52
NA XXX 90775................................. ..... A................ Ther/proph/diag inj add-on...
0.10
0.57
NA
0.04
0.71
NA ZZZ 92626................................. ..... A................ Eval aud status rehab........
0.00
2.20
NA
0.06
2.26
NA XXX 92627................................. ..... A................ Evallaud status rehab add-on.
0.00
0.55
NA
.02
0.57
NA ZZZ ..... ................. ............................. ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ................. 93514................................. ..... C................ Left heart catheterization...
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00 000 ..... ................. ............................. ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ................. 96401................................. ..... A................ Chemo, anti-neopl, sq/im.....
0.2
11.17
NA
0.01
1.39
NA XXX 96402................................. ..... A................ Chemo hormon antineopl sq/im.
0.19
1.01
NA
0.01
1.21
NA XXX 96405................................. ..... A................ Chemo intralesional, up to 7.
0.52
2.44
0.24
0.03
2.99
0.79 000 96406................................. ..... A................ Chemo intralesional over 7...
0.80
3.02
0.29
0.03
3.85
1.12 000 96409................................. ..... A................ Chemo, iv push, sngl drug....
0.24
2.93
NA
0.06
3.23
NA XXX 96411................................. ..... A................ Chemo, iv push, addl drug....
0.20
1.61
NA
0.06
1.87
NA ZZZ 96413................................. ..... A................ Chemo, iv infusion, 1 hr.....
0.28
4.20
NA
0.08
4.56
NA XXX 96415................................. ..... A................ Chemo, iv infusion, addl hr..
0.19
0.77
NA
0.07
1.03
NA ZZZ 96416................................. ..... A................ Chemo prolong infuse w/pump..
0.21
4.61
NA
0.08
4.90
NA XXX 96417................................. ..... A................ Chemo iv infuse each addl seq
0.2
11.95
NA
0.07
2.23
NA ZZZ 96420................................. ..... A................ Chemo, ia, push technique....
0.17
2.67
NA
0.08
2.92
NA XXX ..... ................. ............................. ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ................. 96440................................. ..... A................ Chemotherapy, intracavitary..
2.37
8.15
1.23
0.17 10.693.77
000 ..... ................. ............................. ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ................. 96450................................. ..... A................ Chemotherapy, into CNS.......
1.53
6.97
1.29
0.09
8.59
2.91 000 96521................................. ..... A................ Refill/maint, portable pump..
0.21
3.77
NA
0.06
4.04
NA XXX 96522................................. ..... A................ Refill/maint pump/resvr syst.
0.21
2.65
NA
0.06
2.92
NA XXX 96523................................. ..... A................ Irrig drug delivery device...
0.04
0.69
NA
0.01
0.74
NA XXX 96542................................. ..... A................ Chemotherapy injection.......
0.75
4.26
0.66
0.07
5.08
1.48 XXX ..... ................. ............................. ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ................. 97606................................. ..... A................ Neg press wound tx, >50 cm...
0.60
0.35
0.24
0.03
0.98
0.87 XXX ..... ................. ............................. ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... .................
[[Page 9462]]
Addendum B.--Relative Value Units (RVUs) and Related Information--Continued
Physician Nonfacility Facility PE Malpractice Nonfacility Facility CPT 1/HCPCS 2
Mod
Status
Description
work RVUs 3 PE RVUs
RVUs
RVUs
total
total
Global
98960................................. ..... B................ Self-mgmt educ & train, 1 pt.
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00 XXX 98961................................. ..... B................ Self-mgmt educ/train, 2-4 pt.
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00 XXX 98962................................. ..... B................ Self-mgmt educ/train, 5-8 pt.
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00 XXX ..... ................. ............................. ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ................. 99300................................. ..... A................ lc, infant pbw 2501-5000 gm..
2.40
NA
0.84
0.15
NA
3.35 XXX ..... ................. ............................. ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ................. 99324................................. ..... A................ Domicil/r-home visit new pat.
1.01
0.49
NA
0.05
1.55
NA XXX 99325................................. ..... A................ Domicil/r-home visit new pat.
1.52
0.68
NA
0.07
2.27
NA XXX 99326................................. ..... A................ Domicil/r-home visit new pat.
2.27
0.92
NA
0.10
3.29
NA XXX 99327................................. ..... A................ Domicil/r-home visit new pat.
3.03
1.17
NA
0.13
4.33
NA XXX 99328................................. ..... A................ Domicil/r-home visit new pat.
3.78
1.42
NA
0.16
5.36
NA XXX 99334................................. ..... A................ Domicil/r-home visit est pat.
0.76
0.40
NA
0.04
1.20
NA XXX 99335................................. ..... A................ Domicil/r-home visit est pat.
1.26
0.58
NA
0.06
1.90
NA XXX 99336................................. ..... A................ Domicil/r-home visit est pat.
2.02
0.82
NA
0.09
2.93
NA XXX 99337................................. ..... A................ Domicil/r-home visit est pat.
3.03
1.15
NA
0.13
4.31
NA XXX ..... ................. ............................. ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ................. 99340................................. ..... B................ Domicil/r-home care supervis.
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00 XXX ..... ................. ............................. ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ................. G0332................................. ..... A................ Preadmin IV immunoglobulin...
0.00
1.91
NA
0.00
1.91
NA XXX
\1\ CPT codes and descriptions only. Copyright 2005 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. Applicable FARS/DFARS apply. \2\ Copyright 2005 American Dental Association. All Rights Reserved. \3\ Indicates RVUs are not used for Medicare payment.
2. On page 70463, the following entries to Addendum B, G9041, G9042, G9043, and G9044 are removed.
Addendum B.--Relative Value Units (RVUs) and Related Information--Continued
Physician CPT \1\/HCPCS \2\
Mod
Status
Description
work RVUs Nonfacility Facility PE Malpractice Nonfacility Facility
Global \3\
PE RVUs
RVUs
RVUs
total
total
G9041................................. ..... X................ Low vision rehab occupationa.
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00 XXX G9042................................. ..... X................ Low vision rehab orient/mobi.
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00 XXX G9043................................. ..... X................ Low vision lowvision therapy.
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00 XXX G9044................................. ..... X................ Low vision rehabilate teache.
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00 XXX
\1\ CPT codes and descriptions only. Copyright 2005 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. Applicable FARS/DFARS apply. \2\ Copyright 2005 American Dental Association. All Rights Reserved. \3\ +Indicates RVUs are not used for Medicare payment.
0 3. On pages 70463 through 70466, the following entries to Addendum C are corrected to read as follows:
Addendum C.--Codes With Interim RVUs
Physician CPT \1\/ HCPCS \2\
Mod
Status
Description
work RVUs Nonfacility Facility PE Malpractice Nonfacility Facility
Global \3\
PE RVUs
RVUs
RVUs
Total
Total
61630................................. ..... N................ Intracranial angioplasty..... +21.08
NA
12.53
2.01
NA
35.62 090 61635................................. ..... N................ Intracran angioplasty w/stent +23.08
NA
13.58
2.20
NA
30.66 090 88385................................. 26 A................ Eval Molecul probes, 51-250..
1.50
0.65
NA
0.06
2.21
NA XXX 88386................................. 26 A................ Eval Molecul probes, 251-500.
1.88
0.82
NA
0.08
2.78
NA XXX 90760................................. ..... A................ Hydration iv infusion, init..
0.17
1.43
NA
0.07
1.67
NA XXX 90761................................. ..... A................ Hydrate iv infusion, add-on..
0.09
0.40
NA
0.04
0.53
NA ZZZ 90765................................. ..... A................ Ther/proph/diag iv inf, init.
0.21
1.76
NA
0.07
2.04
NA XXX 90766................................. ..... A................ Ther/proph/dg iv inf, add-on.
0.18
0.46
NA
0.04
0.68
NA ZZZ 90767................................. ..... A................ Tx/proph/dg addl seq iv inf..
0.19
0.89
NA
0.04
1.12
NA ZZZ 90768................................. ..... A................ Ther/diag concurrent inf.....
0.17
0.44
NA
0.04
0.65
NA ZZZ 90772................................. ..... A................ Ther/proph/diag inj, sc/im...
0.17
0.31
NA
0.01
0.49
NA XXX 90773................................. ..... A................ Ther/proph/diag inj, ia......
0.17
0.31
NA
0.02
0.50
NA XXX 90774................................. ..... A................ Ther/proph/diag inj, iv push.
0.18
1.30
NA
0.04
1.52
NA XXX 90775................................. ..... A................ Ther/proph/diag inj add-on...
0.10
0.57
NA
0.04
0.71
NA ZZZ 92626................................. ..... A................ Eval aud status rehab........
0.00
2.20
NA
0.06
2.26
NA XXX 92627................................. ..... A................ Evalaud status rehab add-on..
0.00
0.55
NA
0.02
0.57
NA ZZZ 96401................................. ..... A................ Chemo, anti-neopl, sq/im.....
0.21
1.17
NA
0.01
1.39
NA XXX 96402................................. ..... A................ Chemo hormone antineopl sq/im
0.19
1.01
NA
0.01
1.21
NA XXX 96409................................. ..... A................ Chemo, iv push, sngl drug....
0.24
2.93
NA
0.06
3.23
NA XXX 96411................................. ..... A................ Chemo, iv push, addl drug....
0.20
1.61
NA
0.06
1.87
NA ZZZ 96413................................. ..... A................ Chemo, iv infusion, 1 hr.....
0.28
4.20
NA
0.08
4.56
NA XXX 96415................................. ..... A................ Chemo, iv infusion, addl hr..
0.19
0.77
NA
0.07
1.03
NA ZZZ 96416................................. ..... A................ Chemo prolong infuse w/pump..
0.21
4.61
NA
0.08
4.90
NA XXX 96417................................. ..... A................ Chemo iv infuse each addl seq
0.21
1.95
NA
0.07
2.23
NA ZZZ 96450................................. ..... A................ Chemotherapy, into CNS.......
1.53
6.97
1.29
0.09
8.59
2.91 000
[[Page 9463]]
96521................................. ..... A................ Refill/maint, portable pump..
0.21
3.77
NA
0.06
4.04
NA XXX 96522................................. ..... A................ Refil/maint pump/resvr syst..
0.21
2.65
NA
0.06
2.92
NA XXX 96523................................. ..... A................ Irrig drug delivery device...
0.04
0.69
NA
0.01
0.74
NA XXX 96542................................. ..... A................ Chemotherapy injection.......
0.75
4.26
0.66
0.07
5.08
1.48 XXX ..... ................. ............................. ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ................. 98960................................. ..... B................ Self-mgmt educ & train, 1 pt.
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00 XXX 98961................................. ..... B................ Self-mgmt educ/train, 2-4 pt.
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00 XXX 98962................................. ..... B................ Self-mgmt educ/train 5-8 pt..
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00 XXX ..... ................. ............................. ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ................. 99300................................. ..... A................ Ic, infant pbw 2501-5000 gm..
2.40
NA
0.84
0.15
NA
3.35 XXX 99324................................. ..... A................ Domicil/r-home visit new pat.
1.01
0.49
NA
0.05
1.55
NA XXX 99325................................. ..... A................ Domicil/r-home visit new pat.
1.52
0.68
NA
0.07
2.27
NA XXX 99326................................. ..... A................ Domicil/r-home visit new pat.
2.27
0.92
NA
0.10
3.29
NA XXX 99327................................. ..... A............... Domicil/r-home visit new pat.
3.03
1.17
NA
0.13
4.33
NA XXX 99328................................. ..... A................ Domicil/r-home visit new pat.
3.78
1.42
NA
0.16
5.36
NA XXX 99334................................. ..... A................ Domicil/r-home visit est pat.
0.76
0.40
NA
0.04
1.20
NA XXX 99335................................. ..... A................ Domicil/r-home visit est pat.
1.26
0.58
NA
0.06
1.90
NA XXX 99336................................. ..... A................ Domicil/r-home visit est pat.
2.02
0.82
NA
0.09
2.93
NA XXX 99337................................. ..... A................ Domicil/r-home visit est pat.
3.03
1.15
NA
0.13
4.31
NA XXX ..... ................. ............................. ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ................. 99340................................. ..... B................ Domicil/r-home care supervis.
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00 XXX
\1\ CPT codes and descriptions only. Copyright 2005 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. Applicable FARS/DFARS apply. \2\ Copyright 2005 American Dental Association. All Rights Reserved. \3\ +Indicates RVUs are not used for Medicare payment.
0 4. On page 70467, in Addendum D, in the 11th entry, in the third column, the locality ``Kansas*'' is corrected to read ``Kansas'' as follows:
Addendum D.--2006 Geographic Practice Cost Indices by Medicare Carrier and Locality--Continued
Carrier
Locality
Locality name Work GPCI PE GPCI MP GPCI
00650...............................
00 Kansas................
1.000
0.878
0.721
0 5. On page 70469, in Addendum E, in the fourth entry, in the third column, the locality ``Kansas*'' is corrected to read ``Kansas'' as follows:
Addendum E.--2006 GAFs--Continued
Carrier
Locality Locality name 2006 GAF
00650........................
00 Kansas......... 0.0936
0 6. On pages 70469 through 70471, Addendum F, in its entirety, is corrected to read as follows:
Addendum F.--Revised Single Drug Category List
HCPCS
Long description
Weight
J0150.......................... Injection, adenosine
0.00070000 for therapeutic use, 6 mg. J0152.......................... Injection, adenosine
0.00459478 for diagnostic use, 30 mg. J0170.......................... Injection, adrenalin,
0.00007897 epinephrine, 1 ml ampule. J0207.......................... Injection, amifostine, 0.00016099 500 mg. J0215.......................... Injection, alefacept,
0.00083383 0.5 mg. J0280.......................... Injection,
0.00082088 aminophyllin, 250 mg. J0290.......................... Injection, ampicillin
0.00012657 sodium, 500 mg. J0475.......................... Injection, baclofen, 10 0.00024643 mg. J0540.......................... Injection, penicillin g 0.00007209 benzathine and penicillin g procaine, 1,200,000 units. J0550.......................... Injection, penicillin g 0.00001831 benzathine and penicillin g procaine, 2,400,000 units. J0570.......................... Injection, penicillin g 0.00004605 benzathine, 1,200,000 units. J0585.......................... Botulinum toxin type A, 0.03743206 per unit. J0587.......................... Botulinum toxin type B, 0.00150704 per 100 units. J0600.......................... Injection, edetate
0.00004459 calcium disodium, 1000 mg. J0637.......................... Injection, caspofungin 0.00008483 acetate, 5 mg. J0640.......................... Injection, leucovorin
0.01064503 calcium, per 50 mg. J0670.......................... Injection, mepivacaine 0.00038398 hydrochloride, per 10 ml.
[[Page 9464]]
J0690.......................... Injection, cefazolin
0.00042410 sodium, 500 mg. J0692.......................... Injection, cefepime
0.00024846 hydrochloride, 500 mg. J0696.......................... Injection, ceftriaxone 0.00668833 sodium, per 250 mg. J0698.......................... Injection, cefotaxime
0.00014878 sodium, per gm. J0702.......................... Injection,
0.00287709 betamethasone acetate & betamethasone sodium phosphate, per 3 mg. J0704.......................... Injection,
0.00057059 betamethasone sodium phosphate, per 4 mg. J0735.......................... Injection, clonidine
0.00034149 hydrochloride, 1 mg. J0800.......................... Injection,
0.00363945 corticotropin, 40 units. J0881.......................... Injection, darbepoetin 0.15953454 alfa, 1 mcg (non-ESRD use). J0885.......................... Injection, epoetin
0.25136609 alpha, (for non ESRD use), per 1000 units. J0895.......................... Injection, deferoxamine 0.00024448 mesylate, 500 mg. J1000.......................... Injection, depo-
0.00021013 estradiol cypionate, 5 mg. J1020.......................... Injection,
0.00127329 methylprednisolone acetate, 20 mg. J1030.......................... Injection,
0.00593138 methylprednisolone acetate, 40 mg. J1040.......................... Injection,
0.00527803 methylprednisolone acetate, 80 mg. J1051.......................... Injection,
0.00006526 medroxyprogesterone acetate, 50 mg. J1094.......................... Injection,
0.00351268 dexamethasone acetate, 1 mg. J1100.......................... Injection,
0.05492057 dexamethasone sodium phosphate, 1 mg. J1190.......................... Injection, dexrazoxane 0.00002444 hydrochloride, per 250 mg. J1200.......................... Injection,
0.00216491 diphenhydramine hcl, 50 mg. J1212.......................... Injection, DMSO,
0.00008475 dimethyl sulfoxide, 50%, 50 ml. J1245.......................... Injection,
0.00383178 dipyridamole, per 10 mg. J1250.......................... Injection, dobutamine
0.00053182 hydrochloride, per 250 mg. J1260.......................... Injection, dolasetron
0.01737101 mesylate, 10 mg. J1335.......................... Injection, ertapenem
0.00013263 sodium, 500 mg. J1440.......................... Injection, filgrastim
0.00193572 (G-CSF), 300 mcg. J1441.......................... Injection, filgrastim
0.00407388 (G-CSF), 480 mcg. J1450.......................... Injection fluconazole, 0.00001609 200 mg. J1580.......................... Injection, garamycin,
0.00039937 gentamicin, 80 mg. J1600.......................... Injection, gold sodium 0.00005613 thiomalate, 50 mg. J1626.......................... Injection, granisetron 0.01483731 hydrochloride, 100 mcg. J1631.......................... Injection, haloperidol 0.00020702 decanoate, per 50 mg. J1642.......................... Injection, heparin
0.06422737 sodium, (heparin lock flush), per 10 units. J1644.......................... Injection, heparin
0.00354562 sodium, per 1000 units. J1645.......................... Injection, dalteparin
0.00011526 sodium, per 2500 iu. J1650.......................... Injection, enoxaparin
0.00135618 sodium, 10 mg. J1655.......................... Injection, tinzaparin
0.00047170 sodium, 1000 iu. J1720.......................... Injection,
0.00013327 hydrocortisone sodium succinate, 100 mg. J1745.......................... Injection infliximab,
0.02762721 10 mg. J1756.......................... Injection, iron
0.01026994 sucrose, 1 mg. J1885.......................... Injection, ketorolac
0.00330082 tromethamine, per 15 mg. J1940.......................... Injection, furosemide, 0.00065369 20 mg. J1956.......................... Injection,
0.00008629 levofloxacin, 250 mg. J2001.......................... Injection, lidocaine
0.00077528 hcl for intravenous infusion, 10 mg. J2010.......................... Injection, lincomycin
0.00062461 hcl, 300 mg. J2150.......................... Injection, mannitol,
0.00029211 25% in 50 ml. J2260.......................... Injection, milrinone
0.00004959 lactate, 5 mg. J2300.......................... Injection, nalbuphine
0.00026341 hydrochloride, per 10 mg. J2325.......................... Injection, nesiritide, 0.00027406 0.1 mg. J2353.......................... Injection, octreotide, 0.00195107 depot form for intramuscular injection, 1 mg. J2354.......................... Injection, octreotide, 0.00008412 non-depot subcutaneous or intravenous injection, 25 mcg. J2405.......................... Injection, ondansetron 0.01373037 hydrochloride, per 1 mg. J2430.......................... Injection, pamidronate 0.00156790 disodium, per 30 mg. J2505.......................... Injection,
0.00065114 pegfilgrastim, 6 mg. J2550.......................... Injection, promethazine 0.00068681 hcl, 50 mg. J2680.......................... Injection, fluphenazine 0.00015113 decanoate, 25 mg. J2765.......................... Injection,
0.00011134 metoclopramide hCL, 10 mg. J2780.......................... Injection, ranitidine
0.00088550 hydrochloride, 25 mg. J2820.......................... Injection, sargramostim 0.00217910 (GM-CSF), 50 mcg. J2912.......................... Injection, sodium
0.00680009 chloride, 0.9%, per 2 ml. J2916.......................... Injection, sodium
0.00061134 ferric gluconate complex in sucrose injection, 12.5 mg. J2920.......................... Injection,
0.00031230 methylprednisolone sodium succinate, 40 mg. J2930.......................... Injection,
0.00077199 methylprednisolone sodium succinate, 125 mg. J2997.......................... Injection, alteplase
0.00012239 recombinant, 1 mg. J3260.......................... Injection, tobramycin
0.00018292 sulfate, 80 mg. J3301.......................... Injection,
0.02166537 triamcinolone acetonide, per 10 mg. J3302.......................... Injection,
0.00173214 triamcinolone diacetate, per 5 mg. J3303.......................... Injection,
0.00094603 triamcinolone hexacetonide, per 5 mg. J3315.......................... Injection, triptorelin 0.00000713 pamoate, 3.75 mg. J3370.......................... Injection, vancomycin
0.00084187 hCL, 500 mg. J3396.......................... Injection, verteporfin, 0.05438624 0.1 mg. J3410.......................... Injection, hydroxyzine 0.00041004 hCL, 25 mg.
[[Page 9465]]
J3420.......................... Injection, vitamin B-12 0.01203050 cyanocobalamin, up to 1000 mcg. J3475.......................... Injection, magnesium
0.00108505 sulfate, per 500 mg. J3480.......................... Injection, potassium
0.00215709 chloride, per 2 meq. J3487.......................... Injection, zoledronic
0.00336479 acid, 1 mg. J7030.......................... Infusion, normal saline 0.00102834 solution, 1000 cc. J7040.......................... Infusion, normal saline 0.00243166 solution, sterile (500 ml = 1 unit). J7042.......................... 5% dextrose/normal
0.00049872 saline (500 ml = 1 unit). J7050.......................... Infusion, normal saline 0.00993344 solution, 250 cc. J7060.......................... 5% dextrose/water (500 0.00102860 ml = 1 unit). J7070.......................... Infusion, D5W, 1000 cc. 0.00015894 J7120.......................... Ringers lactate
0.00016980 infusion, 1000 cc. J7317.......................... Sodium hyaluronate, per 0.00191598 20 to 25 mg dose for intra-articular injection. J7320.......................... Hylan G-F 20, 16 mg,
0.00149854 for intra articular injection. J9000.......................... Doxorubicin hCL, 10 mg. 0.00235846 J9001.......................... Doxorubicin
0.00032536 hydrochloride, all lipid formulations, 10 mg. J9031.......................... BCG (Intravesical) per 0.00049267 instillation. J9040.......................... Bleomycin sulfate, 15
0.00003728 units. J9045.......................... Carboplatin, 50 mg..... 0.00570096 J9050.......................... Carmustine, 100 mg..... 0.00000890 J9060.......................... Cisplatin, powder or
0.00095393 solution, per 10 mg. J9062.......................... Cisplatin, 50 mg....... 0.00025430 J9065.......................... Injection, cladribine, 0.00008142 per 1 mg. J9070.......................... Cyclophosphamide, 100
0.00062691 mg. J9080.......................... Cyclophosphamide, 200
0.00004968 mg. J9090.......................... Cyclophosphamide, 500
0.00008125 mg. J9091.......................... Cyclophosphamide, 1.0
0.00005049 gram. J9092.......................... Cyclophosphamide, 2.0
0.00000530 gram. J9093.......................... Cyclophosphamide,
0.00092680 lyophilized, 100 mg. J9094.......................... Cyclophosphamide,
0.00009190 lyophilized, 200 mg. J9095.......................... Cyclophosphamide,
0.00017696 lyophilized, 500 mg. J9096.......................... Cyclophosphamide,
0.00013977 lyophilized, 1.0 gram. J9097.......................... Cyclophosphamide,
0.00001360 lyophilized, 2.0 gram. J9098.......................... Cytarabine liposome, 10 0.00000817 mg. J9100.......................... Cytarabine, 100 mg..... 0.00013010 J9110.......................... Cytarabine, 500 mg..... 0.00002076 J9130.......................... Dacarbazine, 100 mg.... 0.00009429 J9140.......................... Dacarbazine, 200 mg.... 0.00007024 J9150.......................... Daunorubicin, 10 mg.... 0.00000490 J9170.......................... Docetaxel, 20 mg....... 0.00257221 J9178.......................... Injection, epirubicin
0.00121917 hCL, 2 mg. J9181.......................... Etoposide, 10 mg....... 0.00231466 J9182.......................... Etoposide, 100 mg...... 0.00053112 J9185.......................... Fludarabine phosphate, 0.00030647 50 mg. J9190.......................... Fluorouracil, 500 mg... 0.00396193 J9200.......................... Floxuridine, 500 mg.... 0.00000409 J9201.......................... Gemcitabine hCL, 200 mg 0.00496182 J9202.......................... Goserelin acetate
0.00288597 implant, per 3.6 mg. J9206.......................... Irinotecan, 20 mg...... 0.00319095 J9208.......................... Ifosfamide, 1 gm....... 0.00007892 J9209.......................... Mesna, 200 mg.......... 0.00036868 J9211.......................... Idarubicin
0.00000318 hydrochloride, 5 mg. J9213.......................... Interferon, ALFA-2A,
0.00008082 recombinant, 3 million units. J9214.......................... Interferon, ALFA-2B,
0.00675198 recombinant, 1 million units. J9219.......................... Leuprolide acetate
0.00006526 implant, 65 mg. J9245.......................... Injection, melphalan
0.00000159 hydrochloride, 50 mg. J9250.......................... Methotrexate sodium, 5 0.00186700 mg. J9260.......................... Methotrexate sodium, 50 0.00051449 mg. J9263.......................... Injection, oxaliplatin, 0.07318565 0.5 mg. J9265.......................... Paclitaxel, 30 mg...... 0.00556692 J9268.......................... Pentostatin, per 10 mg. 0.00000645 J9280.......................... Mitomycin, 5 mg........ 0.00004077 J9290.......................... Mitomycin, 20 mg....... 0.00003481 J9291.......................... Mitomycin, 40 mg....... 0.00006143 J9293.......................... Injection, mitoxantrone 0.00025120 hydrochloride, per 5 mg. J9310.......................... Rituximab, 100 mg...... 0.00409565 J9320.......................... Streptozocin, 1 gm..... 0.00000673 J9340.......................... Thiotepa, 15 mg........ 0.00002452 J9350.......................... Topotecan, 4 mg........ 0.00018268 J9355.......................... Trastuzumab, 10 mg..... 0.00543348 J9360.......................... Vinblastine sulfate, 1 0.00035813 mg. J9370.......................... Vincristine sulfate, 1 0.00019751 mg. J9375.......................... Vincristine sulfate, 2 0.00011515 mg.
[[Page 9466]]
J9390.......................... Vinorelbine tartrate,
0.00111035 per 10 mg. J9395.......................... Injection, fulvestrant, 0.00126670 25 mg. J9600.......................... Porfimer sodium, 75 mg. 0.00000030 Q3025.......................... Injection, interferon
0.00078263 BETA-1A, 11 mcg for intramuscular use.
-
-
Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking and Delay in Effective Date
We ordinarily publish a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register to provide a period for public comment before the provisions of a rule take effect in accordance with section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553(b)). However, we can waive the notice and comment procedures if the Secretary finds, for good cause, that the notice and comment process is impracticable, unnecessary or contrary to the public interest, and incorporates a statement of the finding and the reasons therefore in the rule. We can also waive the 30-day delay in effective date under the APA (5 U.S.C. 553(d)) when there is good cause to do so and we publish in the rule an explanation of our good cause.
This correcting amendment addresses technical errors and omissions made in FR Doc. 05-22160, entitled ``Medicare Program; Revisions to Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule for Calendar Year 2006 and Certain Provisions Related to the Competitive Acquisition Program of Outpatient Drugs and Biologicals Under Part B,'' which appeared in the Federal Register on November 21, 2005 (70 FR 70116) and was made effective January 1, 2006. The provisions of this final rule with comment period have been previously subjected to notice and comment procedures. These corrections are consistent with the discussion and text and do not make substantive changes to the CY 2006 published rule. As such, this correcting amendment is intended to ensure the CY 2006 final rule with comment accurately reflects the policy adopted. Therefore, we find that undertaking further notice and comment procedures to incorporate these corrections into the final rule with comment is unnecessary and contrary to the public interest.
For the same reasons, we are also waiving the 30-day delay in effective date for this correcting amendment. We believe that it is in the public interest to ensure that the CY 2006 final rule with comment accurately states our policy on physician fee schedule and other Part B payment policies, and provisions related to the competitive acquisition program of outpatient drugs and biologicals under Part B. Therefore, delaying the effective date of these corrections beyond the January 1, 2006 effective date of the final rule with comment period would be contrary to the public interest. In so doing, we find good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the effective date.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.774, Medicare--Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)
Dated: February 7, 2006. Ann C. Agnew, Executive Secretary to the Department.
[FR Doc. 06-1711 Filed 2-23-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P
