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CMS-1403-FC
Labor Statistics, to determine if other methodologies might
be appropriate for imputing wage index values for areas
without hospital wage data for CY 2009 and subsequent
years. To date, no data from other sources, superior to
that currently used in connection with the IPPS wage index,
have emerged. Therefore, for ESRD purposes, we continue to
believe this is an appropriate policy. We received no
comments on this section and are finalizing our policies
for wage areas with no hospital data as proposed.
iii. Evaluation of Wage Index Policies Adopted in the FY
2008 IPPS Final Rule
We stated in the CY 2008 PFS final rule with comment
period (72 FR 66284) that we planned to evaluate any
policies adopted in the FY 2008 IPPS final rule
(72 FR 47130, 47337 through 47338) that affect the wage
index, including how we treat certain New England hospitals
under section 601(g) of the Social Security Amendments of
1983 (Pub. L. 98-21). This is relevant for the ESRD
composite payment system, because the ESRD wage index is
calculated using the same urban/rural classification system
and computation methodology applicable under the IPPS,
except that it is not adjusted for occupational mix and
does not reflect geographic classifications authorized
under sections 1886(d)(8) and (d)(12) of the Act. We also
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