Miscellaneous Medicare and Medicaid amendments--HCFA. Final rule.
These regulations make the following changes in the Medicare and Medicaid rules: 1. Remove from the Medicare rules the lists of deductible and coinsurance amounts that are revised annually. 2. Establish the conditions for Medicare Part B to pay for an antigen that is administered by someone other than the physician who prepares the antigen. 3. Provide that specified equipment is required to be available in an ambulatory surgical center (ASC) only if the medical staff of the ASC considers it necessary. 4. Clarify the rules on agreements with Medicare intermediaries and carriers and on coordination of their activities with the activities of peer review organization (PROs). 5. Correct an involuntary omission by adding "skilled nursing facility services for individuals under 21" to the list of Medicaid services for which Federal financial participation may be continued for up to 30 days after termination of the provider agreement. 6. Revise the rules on denial of Medicare provider agreements to reflect Bankruptcy Code changes under which a provider agreement may not be denied solely because of bankruptcy. These amendments are necessary to simplify, clarify, or conform minor aspects of the Medicare rules on: Deductibles and coinsurance. Payment for antigens. Equipment required in ASCs. Agreements with intermediaries and carriers. Coordination of the activities of intermediaries and carriers and those of PROs. The amendments also correct an omission in the Medicaid rules on Federal financial participation. The first amendment is purely a matter of simplification. The other changes are intended to ensure that users of HCFA regulations have the clear understanding necessary for uniform application.