Section 5006(a)(1) of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA), enacted on February 8, 2006, requires the Secretary to develop a "strategic and implementing plan" to address certain issues relating to physician investment in "specialty hospitals, " and to submit this plan to the Congress. CMS indicated in the required report, submitted in August, 2006, indicated that a well-crafted disclosure requirement, which, at a minimum, would require hospitals to disclose to patients whether they are physician-owned and, if so, the names of the physician-owners, is consistent with the agency's general approach that hospitals should be transparent as to their pricing and their quality outcomes. A well-educated consumer is essential to improving the quality and efficiency of the healthcare system. Accordingly, CMS has proposed a change to its regulations governing provider agreement requirements, to require physician-owned hospitals to disclose their ownership status to all patients at the beginning of their inpatient stay or outpatient visit, and to make a list of physician owners available upon request. Since the report also found that a less than half of specialty hospitals have emergency departments, compared to over 90% of general hospitals, CMS also proposed to address the issues related to safety of patients in emergencies. Following the same principle of increased transparency of hospital operations to patients, CMS has proposed a change to its regulations governing provider agreements to require all hospitals and critical access hospitals that do not have a physician on the premises at all times to disclose this to patients upon admission/registration, and to indicate how the hospital/CAH will meet the medical needs of any patient who develops an emergency medical condition at a time when a physician is not present in the facility.
Section 5006(a)(1) of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA), enacted on February 8, 2006, requires the Secretary to develop a strategic and implementing plan to address certain issues relating to physician investment in specialty hospitals, and to submit this plan to the Congress. CMS indicated in the required report, submitted in August, 2006, indicated that a well-crafted disclosure requirement, which, at a minimum, would require hospitals to disclose to patients whether they are physician-owned and, if so, the names of the physician-owners, is consistent with the agency's general approach that hospitals should be transparent as to their pricing and their quality outcomes. A well-educated consumer is essential to improving the quality and efficiency of the healthcare system. Accordingly, CMS has proposed a change to its regulations governing provider agreement requirements, to require physician-owned hospitals to disclose their ownership status to all patients at the beginning of their inpatient stay or outpatient visit, and to make a list of physician owners available upon request. Since the report also found that a less than half of specialty hospitals have emergency departments, compared to over 90% of general hospitals, CMS also proposed to address the issues related to safety of patients in emergencies. Following the same principle of increased transparency of hospital operations to patients, CMS has proposed a change to its regulations governing provider agreements to require all hospitals and critical access hospitals that do not have a physician on the premises at all times to disclose this to patients upon admission/registration, and to indicate how the hospital/CAH will meet the medical needs of any patient who develops an emergency medical condition at a time when a physician is not present in the facility.
$0
No
No
Uncollected
Uncollected
Uncollected
Uncollected
William Parham 4107864669
No
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
CMS-10225.AHA Comments.pdf
CMS-10225 Response_to_Public_Comments 19 jul 07.doc
Disclosures to Patients by Certain Hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals and Supporting Regulations in 489.20