CMS posted its second extension of the timeline for publication of the Medicare claims appeal procedures final rule until March 1, 2010, in Friday's Federal Register. The agency said it was not able to meet the timeline for publication of the final rule because President Obama's new staff needed an opportunity to further review the policies that will be set out in the rule. In February 2008, CMS announced a one-year extension because it could not meet the three-year timeline that had been scheduled for publication of the final rule. According to the agency, the rule requires collaboration among other HHS agencies, including the Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals and the Departmental Appeals Board, as well as the Office of the General Counsel. An interim final rule now in effect includes changes to appeals procedures required by the Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 and the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003. CMS said the IFR will remain in effect through March 1, 2010. Read the full notice.
Monday, March 2, 2009