Federal Register: January 24, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 16)
DOCID: fr24ja08-92 FR Doc E8-1213
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Inspector General Office, Health and Human Services Department
NOTICE: NOTICES
DOCID: fr24ja08-92
DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Solicitation of Information and Recommendations for Revising the Compliance Program Guidance for Nursing Facilities
DATES: To assure consideration, comments must be delivered to the address provided below by no later than 5 p.m. on February 25, 2008.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
This Federal Register notice seeks the input and
recommendations of interested parties as OIG revises the compliance
program guidance (CPG) for nursing facilities, especially those serving Medicare, Medicaid, and other Federal health care program
beneficiaries. The nursing home industry has experienced a number of
changes since OIG first published a CPG in this area (65 FR 14289;
March 16, 2000). Additionally, the subsequent years of enforcement and
compliance activity in the nursing home industry has allowed OIG to
address more fully the various risk areas in nursing home compliance.
In evaluating the contents of the nursing facility CPG, OIG is
soliciting comments, recommendations, and other suggestions from
concerned parties and organizations on how best to revise the nursing
facility CPG to address relevant compliance issues. Specifically, OIG
seeks comments addressing any changes to existing risk areas and
introducing any new risk areas.
SUMMARY:
Nursing Facilities Compliance Program Guidance Revision; Information and Recommendation Solicitation,
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
The development of CPGs is a major initiative of OIG in its effort to engage the private health care industry in addressing and combating fraud and abuse. Over the past several years, OIG has developed and issued CPGs directed at various segments of the health care industry. These guidances are designed to provide clear direction and assistance to specific sections of the health care industry that are interested in addressing compliance with Federal health care program requirements.
The CPGs set forth OIG's suggestions on how providers can most effectively establish internal controls and implement monitoring procedures to identify, correct, and prevent potentially fraudulent conduct. The suggestions contained in the CPGs are not mandatory for providers, nor do they represent an exclusive discussion of the advisable elements of a compliance program.
Through this Federal Register notice, OIG is seeking input from interested parties as OIG considers revising the CPG for the nursing home industry. OIG will consider all comments, recommendations, and suggestions received within the time frame indicated above. OIG would appreciate specific comments, recommendations, and suggestions on risk areas for the nursing home industry, such as the submission of false claims, as well as quality of care concerns, kickbacks, and accurate reporting of data to Medicare and Medicaid. Detailed justifications and empirical data supporting any suggestions would be appreciated.
We request that any comments, recommendations, or suggestions be
submitted in a format that addresses the topics outlined above in a
concise manner rather than in the form of a comprehensive draft guidance that mirrors previous CPGs.
Dated: January 16, 2008.
Daniel R. Levinson,
Inspector General.
[FR Doc. E81213 Filed 12308; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 415004P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Joel Schaer, OIG Regulations Officer, (202) 6190089; Amanda Walker, Office of Counsel to the Inspector General, (202) 6190335; or Catherine Hess, Office of Counsel to the Inspector General, (202) 6191306.