Response to comments

Attachment A

CMS Response to Public Comments Received for CMS-10277

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) received comments from three (3) individual stakeholders. None of the comments were related to the information collection requests in CMS-10277. This is the reconciliation of the comments.

Comment:

CMS received an individual recommending continued access to hospices and other health care services for individuals over the age of 65 and those with disabilities as well as their caretakers.

Response:

CMS appreciates the comment and concern expressed by this commenter. However, the comment is not related to the information collection.

Comment:

CMS received a comment from an individual supporting the need for the Medicare and Medicaid programs to cover end of life health care assistance.

Response:

CMS appreciates the comment and concern expressed by this commenter. However, the comment is not related to the information collection.

Comment:

CMS received a comment from an individual expressing concern that the Conditions of Participation (CoPs) for hospices duplicate existing state licensing requirements. Instead, the commenter recommends states be allowed to test oversight models and suggests that states with “weaker regulations” can be given guidance or grants by CMS.

Response:

CMS appreciates the comment and concern expressed by this commenter. However, the comment is not specifically related to the information collection that is subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA).

Furthermore, any changes to the Conditions of Participation (CoPs) (including removing them as a requirement for Medicare certification) can only be done through rulemaking, CMS requests commentors to comment on proposed rules where changes, modifications and or removal of Hospice CoPs are being proposed.