March 2004 | Vol. 22/No. 3

CMS Accepts Comments on Proposed Regulations via Internet for First Time

Private citizens, Medicare providers and others who want to comment on proposed Medicare and Medicaid regulations now, for the first time, can submit their opinions electronically to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) via the Internet.

CMS recently announced that anyone wanting to comment electronically on proposed Medicare and Medicaid regulations now can do so through the www.regulations.gov website or the link to the new CMS system provided in CMS' published rules.

In addition to comments on proposed or final regulations, the new CMS system will be open for comment on other documents, including policy notices soliciting public input and notices asking for other information, such as nominations for advisory committees.

CMS will continue to consider written comments delivered either by hand or through the mail to the addresses identified in the published rules by the close of the comment period.

Those who forward electronic comments will get an automatic reply confirming their comments were received before the comment period closed. In addition, all electronic comments will be posted on the CMS website for the public to review after the comment period closes.

"One of the key goals of the President's Electronic Government initiative is to make it easier for citizens to get services from their government," Acting CMS Administrator Dennis Smith said. "At the top of that list is making it easier for citizens and businesses to participate in the regulatory process. We encourage public input and carefully consider these comments before we develop a final regulation. CMS regulations establish or modify the way we administer our programs. We realize they may impact providers or suppliers of services, or the individuals enrolled or entitled to benefits under CMS programs."

At the beginning of each quarter, CMS places on its website the Quarterly Provider Update, which identifies the regulations and notices CMS intends to publish during the quarter in the Federal Register.