Privacy Act of 1974; Report of a New System of Records

Zusammenfassung

In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, we are proposing to establish a new system titled, "Rural Hospice Demonstration (RHD), System No. 09-70-0563." The program is mandated by Sec. 409 of the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) (Public Law (Pub. L.) 108-173), which was enacted into law on December 8, 2003, and amended Title XVIII of the Social Security Act (the Act). Section 409 authorizes the Secretary of HHS (the Secretary) to conduct a demonstration project for the delivery of hospice care to Medicare beneficiaries in rural areas. Under the demonstration, Medicare beneficiaries who are unable to receive hospice care at home for lack of an appropriate caregiver are provided such care in a facility of 20 or fewer beds that offers, within its walls, the full range of services provided by hospice programs. In order for a hospice organization or agency to participate in this demonstration, it must be Medicare certified and meet all of the Medicare Conditions of Participation as described in subparts C (General Provisions), D (Core Services), and E (Other Services) of 42 CFR 418, except it shall not be required to offer