[Federal Register: September 24, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 185)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 57244]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24se04-24]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
42 CFR Parts 431 and 457
[CMS-6026-CN]
RIN 0938-AM86
Medicaid Program and State Children's Health Insurance Program
(SCHIP); Payment Error Rate Measurement; Correction
AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.
ACTION: Proposed rule; correction.
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SUMMARY: This document corrects an incorrect date for the close of the
public comment period that appeared in the proposed rule that was
published in the Federal Register on August 27, 2004 entitled
``Medicaid Program and State Children's Health Insurance Program
(SCHIP) Payment Error Rate Measurement.''
DATES: The comment deadline for the proposed rule published on August
27, 2004 at 69 FR 52620 is corrected to October 21, 2004.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christine Saxonis (410) 786-3722.
Janet E. Reichert, (410) 786-4580.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
On August 27, 2004, we published a proposed rule in the Federal
Register titled ``Medicaid Program and State Children's Health
Insurance Program (SCHIP) Payment Error Rate Measurement'' (69 FR
52620). That proposed rule would require State agencies to estimate
improper payments in the Medicaid program and SCHIP program. The
Improper Payments Information Act of 2002 requires Federal agencies to
annually review and identify those programs and activities that may be
susceptible to significant erroneous payments, estimate the amount of
improper payments and report those estimates to the Congress and, if
necessary, submit a report on actions the agency is taking to reduce
erroneous payments.
The intended effect and expected results of that proposed rule
would be for States to produce improper payment estimates for their
Medicaid and SCHIP programs and to identify existing and emerging
vulnerabilities that can be addressed by the States through actions
taken to reduce the rate of improper payments and produce a
corresponding increase in program savings at both the State and Federal
levels.
In FR Doc. 04-19603 of August 27, 2004 (69 FR 52620), we
erroneously incorporated an incorrect date for the close of the public
comment period. The correct date for the close of the comment period
should be October 27, 2004. We had intended to provide a 60-day public
comment period since the regulation is complex. A 30-day comment period
may not provide enough time for States to analyze the requirements and
determine the impact on staffing, costs, technology, statistical
support, and any other needs; develop comments, obtain internal
clearances, and submit the comments for our consideration.
In addition, States have expressed an interest in meeting among
themselves and working with their Technical Advisory Groups to develop
comments. The 30-day comment period may not accommodate this approach.
Furthermore, the regulation is not detailed in terms of
implementation. The Office of Management and Budget asked that we
specifically request comments on this issue. A 30-day comment period
may not give States time to analyze issues and problems concerning
implementation, develop comments, obtain internal clearances, and
submit them for our consideration.
The error is corrected in the ``Correction of Errors'' section
below.
II. Correction of Errors
In FR Doc. 04-19603 of August 27, 2004 (69 FR 52620), make the
following correction:
On page 52621, in the first column; in the DATES section, correct
the date ``September 27, 2004'' to read ``October 27, 2004.''
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.767, State
Children's Health Program)
Dated: September 15, 2004.
Ann C. Agnew,
Executive Secretary to the Department.
[FR Doc. 04-21198 Filed 9-17-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P