Fed Regist. 1997 Aug 8;62(153):42860-83.
This final rule establishes a methodology to update the wage index used to adjust Medicare payment rates for hospice care. It also includes the new wage index, to be effective October 1, 1997. The wage index is used to reflect local differences in wage levels. A new wage index is needed because the index currently applied is based on 1981 wage and employment data and has not been updated since 1983. The methodology is based on the recommendations of a negotiated rulemaking advisory committee comprised of persons who represent interests affected by the hospice rules.
本最终规则确立了一种方法，用于更新用于调整临终关怀医疗保险支付率的工资指数。它还包括将于1997年10月1日生效的新工资指数。工资指数用于反映当地工资水平的差异。之所以需要新的工资指数，是因为目前应用的指数基于1981年的工资和就业数据，自1983年以来一直未更新。该方法基于一个协商制定规则咨询委员会的建议，该委员会由代表受临终关怀规则影响的利益相关方的人员组成。
