Notice: This CMS-approved document has been submitted - Philips ...

CMS-1403-FC
changes in policy and regulations to effectuate the self-
implementing provisions of the MIPPA as described in this
final rule with comment period.
Section 131(c) of the MIPPA requires the Secretary to
implement a Physician Feedback Program no later than
January 1, 2009. Under the program, the Secretary must use
claims data to provide confidential reports to physicians
that measure resources involved in furnishing care to
individuals (and, if determined appropriate, the reports
can also include information about the quality of care
furnished.) Although this provision is self-implementing
in certain respects, especially given that many elements of
this program are already in place as a result of our
previous data analysis and reporting efforts, we would
ordinarily engage in notice and comment rulemaking to
establish other aspects of this program. To the extent
this provision is not self-implementing, we find good cause
to waive notice and comment rulemaking because it would be
contrary to the public interest to delay implementation of
this program. Moreover, we note that the confidential
feedback reporting will serve informational purposes and
will not affect any rights or obligations under the
Medicare program.
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