2006 proposed fee schedule - American Society of Clinical Oncology

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window because we believe the small volume of applications
will make it administratively feasible for us to accept
applications on a rolling basis. Further, we are proposing
to revise paragraph (d) to state that a pediatric ESRD
facility may request an exception to its composite payment
rate at any time after it is in operation for at least 12
consecutive months.
We are proposing to permit pediatric ESRD facilities to
file exception requests at any time. We also propose to
change our regulations to continue pediatric facility
exception rates granted under section 623 of the MMA
(hereinafter referred to as “pediatric facility exception
rates”) in the same way as existing exception rates.
Specifically, we are proposing that pediatric facility
exception rates would remain in effect until the facility
notifies its fiscal intermediary that it wishes to give up
its rate because its case-mix adjusted composite rate is
higher. Therefore, we propose to eliminate paragraph (e) of
this section, entitled “Criteria for retaining a previously
approved exception request” and replace it with paragraph
(f) (Completion of requirements and criteria) of this
section. We are proposing to eliminate paragraph (e)
because ESRD facilities that have an approved exception rate
(either an existing exception rate or a pediatric facility
exception rate) and elect to retain it do not need to notify