Health care programs; fraud and abuse: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act— Data collection program; final adverse actions reporting,

[Federal Register: December 30, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 250)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 71819-71820]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr30de98-32]

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Office of the Secretary Office of Inspector General

45 CFR Part 61

RIN 0991-AA98

Health Care Fraud and Abuse Data Collection Program: Reporting of Final Adverse Actions--Extension of Comment Period

AGENCY: Office of Inspector General (OIG), HHS.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking; extension of comment period.

SUMMARY: On October 30, 1998, we published a notice of proposed rulemaking designed to set forth the policy and procedures for implementing the new Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Banks (HIPDB), in accordance with the statutory requirements of section 1128E of the

[[Page 71820]]

Social Security Act, as added by section 221(a) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 (63 FR 58341). We are extending the comment period at the request of several organizations.

DATES: To assure consideration, public comments must be delivered to the address provided below by January 11, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Please mail or deliver your written comments to the following address: Health Resources and Services Administration, Bureau of Health Professions, Division of Quality Assurance, Room 8-55, Attention: OIG-46-P, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20857.

Because of staffing and resource limitations, we cannot accept comments by facsimile (FAX). In commenting, please refer to file code OIG-46-P.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joel Schaer, Office of Counsel to the Inspector General, (202) 619-1306.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed regulations are designed to implement section 221(a) of the HIPAA, which specifically direct the Secretary to establish a national health care fraud and abuse data collection program for the reporting and disclosing of certain final adverse actions taken against health care providers, suppliers or practitioners; and maintain a data base of final adverse actions taken against health care providers, suppliers and practitioners. We indicated in the preamble of that document that we are allowing a 60- day public comment period during which time interested parties could submit their comments and recommendations regarding the implementation of the Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank. The Department agreed to consider all comments received on or before December 29, 1998.

Since publication of the proposed rule, we have received requests from several outside organizations and associations to extend the existing comment period beyond the 60-day period. Because of our desire to work with affected outside organizations and associations in considering their recommendations in establishing viable and operational data bank, and concerns from some parties that the holiday season has hampered their ability to poll constituents in a timely and effective manner to provide comprehensive comments, we have agreed to extend the public comment period to this notice of proposed rulemaking until January 11, 1999.

Dated: December 8, 1998. Michael Mangano, Principal Deputy Inspector General.

Approved: December 21, 1998. Donna E. Shalala, Secretary.

[FR Doc. 98-34350Filed12-29-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4150-04-M