Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: Medicare Program; Medicare Part B Monthly Actuarial Rates, Premium Rate, and Annual Deductible Beginning January 1, 2008
Highlights
GAO reviewed the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) new rule on Medicare Part B monthly actuarial rates, premium rate, and annual deductible beginning January 1, 2008. GAO found that (1) the rule announces the monthly actuarial rates for aged and disabled enrollees for the Part B account in the Medicare Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust fund, the monthly premium to be paid by aged and disabled beneficiaries, and the income-related monthly adjustment amounts to be paid by beneficiaries with modified adjusted gross income above certain threshold amounts; and (2) CMS complied with the applicable requirements in promulgating the rule.
Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: Medicare Program; Medicare Part B Monthly Actuarial Rates, Premium Rate, and Annual Deductible Beginning January 1, 2008, GAO-08-176R, October 19, 2007
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Subject: Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: Medicare Program; Medicare Part B Monthly Actuarial Rates, Premium Rate, and Annual Deductible Beginning
Pursuant to section 801(a)(2)(A) of title 5, United States Code, this is our report on a major rule promulgated by the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), entitled Medicare Program; Medicare Part B Monthly Actuarial Rates, Premium Rate, and Annual Deductible Beginning January 1, 2008 (RIN: 0938-AO68). We received the rule on
The notice announces the monthly actuarial rates for aged (age 65 and over) and disabled (under age 65) enrollees for the Part B account in the Medicare Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI) trust fund for
The monthly actuarial rates for 2008 are $192.70 for aged enrollees and $209.70 for disabled enrollees. The standard monthly premium rate for 2008 is $96.40. Also, the Part B deductible for 2008 is $135.
Enclosed is our assessment of the CMS's compliance with the procedural steps required by section 801(a)(1)(B)(i) through (iv) of title 5 with respect to the rule. Our review indicates that CMS complied with the applicable requirements.
If you have any questions about this report, please contact Michael R. Volpe, Assistant General Counsel, at (202) 512-8236. The official responsible for GAO evaluation work relating to the subject matter of the rule is Marjorie Kanof, Managing Director, Health Care. Ms. Kanof can be reached at (202) 512-7114.
signed
Robert J. Cramer
Associate General Counsel
Enclosure
cc: Ann Stallion
Program Manager
Department of Health and
Human Services
ENCLOSURE
REPORT UNDER 5 U.S.C. sect. 801(a)(2)(A) ON A MAJOR RULE
ISSUED BY THE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,
CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES
ENTITLED
"MEDICARE PROGRAM; MEDICARE PART B MONTHLY
ACTUARIAL RATES, PREMIUM RATE, AND
ANNUAL DEDUCTIBLE BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2008"
(RIN: 0938-AO68)
(i) Cost-benefit analysis
A cost-benefit analysis was not conducted because the increases were statutorily directed. CMS did estimate that the increase will cost approximately 41.5 million Part B enrollees about $1.4 billion for 2008.
(ii) Agency actions relevant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. sections 603-605, 607, and 609
CMS has determined that this notice will not have a significant effect on a substantial number of small entities or on the operations of a substantial number of small rural hospitals. As a result, CMS did not prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis.
(iii) Agency actions relevant to sections 202-205 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995, 2 U.S.C. sections 1532-1535
CMS has determined that this notice will have no consequential effects on state, local, or tribal governments. CMS states that the effects on the private sector will be less than $110 million in any one year.
(iv) Other relevant information or requirements under acts and executive orders
Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. sections 551 et seq.
CMS found good cause to waive publication of a proposed notice and solicitation of public comments and instead used a general notice. This is due to the fact that the monthly actuarial rates and the Part B premium amounts are required to be published in September of each year and are calculated using statutorily directed formulas, without CMS discretion.
Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. sections 3501-3520
The notice does not contain any information collections that are subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act.
Statutory authorization for the rule
The notice is issued pursuant to the authority contained in section 1839 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395r).
Executive Order No. 12,866
The notice was deemed to be economically significant under Executive Order 12866 and was reviewed by OMB.
Executive Order No. 13,132 (Federalism)
This notice does not have federalism implications.