Submitting comments to CMS

Within the Final Rule CMS has indicated that it is accepting comments only on the issue of Capital-Related Costs. Here is the exact wording from the Final Rule:

We will consider public comments only on the provisions of section V., Changes to the IPPS for Capital-Related Costs, of the preamble of this final rule with comment period, if we receive them at one of the addresses provided below, no later than 5 p.m. on November 20, 2007.

Please be sure to list file code “CMS-1533-FC” on your comment and within the address to make sure it is properly routed. Below lists the instructions contained in the Final Rule for comment submission:

You may submit comments in one of four ways, according to CMS:

1. Electronically. You may submit electronic comments on specific issues in this regulation to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/eRulemaking. Click on the link “Submit electronic comments on CMS regulations with an open comment period”. (Attachments should be in Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, or Excel format; however, CMS states they prefer Microsoft Word.)


2. By regular mail. You may mail written comments (one original and two copies) to the following address ONLY:
   Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
   Department of Health and Human Services
   Attention: CMS-1533-FC
   P.O. Box 8011
   Baltimore, MD 21244-1850
   
   Allow sufficient time for mailed comments to be received before the close of the comment period.


3. By express or overnight mail. You may send written comments (one original and two copies) to the following address ONLY:
   Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
   Department of Health and Human Services
   Attention: CMS-1533-FC
   Mail Stop C4-26-05
   7500 Security Boulevard
   Baltimore, MD 21244-1850


4. By hand or courier. If you prefer, you may deliver (by hand or courier) your written comments (one original and two copies) before the close of the comment period to one of the following addresses. If you intend to deliver your comments to the Baltimore address, please call telephone number (410) 786-7195 in advance to schedule your arrival with one of our staff members.
   Room 445-G, Hubert H. Humphrey Building
   200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
   Washington, DC 20201, or
   
   7500 Security Boulevard
   Baltimore, MD 21244-1850
   (Because access to the interior of the Hubert H. Humphrey Building is not readily available to persons without Federal Government identification, commenters are encouraged to leave their comments in the CMS drop slots located in the main lobby of the building. A stamp-in clock is available for persons wishing to retain proof of filing by stamping in and retaining an extra copy of the comments being filed.)

Comments mailed to the addresses indicated as appropriately for hand or courier delivery may be delayed and received after the comment period.