Health Care Fraud and Abuse Data Collection Program: Reporting of Final Adverse ActionsExtension of Comment Period

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.

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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. 98-34350 Filed 12-29-98; 8:45 am]

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