The Department of Health and Senior Services proposes the readoption with amendments and repeals of N.J.A.C. 8:31B, the rules pertaining to hospital financial reporting.

  Specifically, the chapter implements the provisions of the Health Care Facilities Planning Act (N.J.S.A. 26H-1, et seq.), and requires the reporting of patient billing data; incorporates the National Uniform Bill as the format for reporting to the Department billing data for all inpatients, same-day surgeries, and emergency department outpatients; and describes data intermediary duties, data submission schedules, editing, costs, and penalties for late submission of data.

Certain of the proposed amendments and repeals are prompted by changes in the law.  Others represent responses by the Department to changes in industry practice.  Still others reflect administrative changes within the Department such as those pertaining to Department structure and organization.

The proposal appears in the June 20, 2005 issue of the New Jersey Register.  The public has until August 19, 2005 to comment on the proposal.

Persons wishing to comment on the proposal must submit their comments in writing to Robert T. Neu, Director, Division of Health Care Quality and Oversight, Hospital Financial Reporting and Support, New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, P.O. Box 360, Trenton, New Jersey, 08625-0360.  Written comments must be postmarked on or before August 19, 2005, which is the close of the 60-day public comment period.

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