Notices for Week of: JUNE 16, 2005
PROPOSED STATE RULES
By law, public notice of proposed rules must be given by publication in newspapers of record. The purpose of these notices is to give the public a chance to respond to the proposals. The public notices for administrative rules are now also available online at http://vermont-archives.org/aparules/ovnotices.htm The law requires an agency to hold a public hearing on a proposed rule, if requested to do so in writing by 25 persons or an association having at least 25 members.
To make special arrangements for individuals with disabilities or special needs please call or write the contact person listed below as soon as possible
To obtain further information concerning any scheduled hearing(s), obtain copies of proposed rule(s) or submit comments regarding proposed rule(s), please call or write the contact person listed below. You may also submit comments in writing to the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules, State House, Montpelier, Vermont 05602 (828-2231).
Vermont Proposed Rule: 05P019
AGENCY: Labor & Industry
CONCISE SUMMARY: Act 132 (2004) required revision to the workers' compensation medical fee schedule with the goal of better controlling the rising cost of medical services for work-related injuries. Workers' Compensation costs have increased over recent years and rising medical costs have contributed to the rise in overall costs. The proposed rule helps to control medical costs by reducing the reimbursement rate paid to hospitals from 90% of the amount billed down to 85% of the amount billed by the provider. According to research and study by Ingenix (a health care information company), the proposed change is expected to result in nearly $1 million in cost savings as compared to the existing schedule. This change is not expected to impact access to medical care. The proposed rule is expected to have minimal impact upon individual providers. Finally, the proposed rule is modest in scope; less dramatic than the cost saving strategies initially considered over the course of study.
TYPE OF PERSONS AFFECTED: Medical providers, employees and employers, insurance carriers and their agents, attorneys, medical case managers, and interest groups representing medical, labor, business and insurance interests. Interested groups include the Vermont Hospital Association, the Vermont Medical Society, AFL/CIO, VSEA, the State of Vermont Risk Management Division, AIA and other workers' compensation and medical interest groups.
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS: This rule is expected to have minimal economic impact on individuals but provides modest savings for the system.
SCHEDULED HEARINGS: July 7, 2005; 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.; Department of Labor & Industry, Main Conference Room, National Life Building, 2 North, Montpelier, VT 05602
DEADLINE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT: July 15, 2005
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Laura Collins, Commissioner, Labor & Industry, National Life Building, Drawer 20, Montpelier, VT 05620-3401, 802-828-5098.
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Refugee Medical Assistance.
Vermont Proposed Rule: 05P020
AGENCY: Dept. for Children and Families (DCF)
CONCISE SUMMARY: This rule brings the eligibility rules for the Refugee Medical Assistance program in Vermont into compliance with federal regulations at 45 CFR 400.90 et. seq.
TYPE OF PERSONS AFFECTED: Refugees, asylees in Vermont; the organizations that serve this population group, including the Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program, the Office of the State Refugee Coordinator, Refugee & Immigrant Service Providers Network, the VT Immigration Advocacy Task Force, including Legal Aid, Law Line of Vermont, VT Law School; other advocates for refugees and asylees, community refugee volunteers, host families; Medical Care Advisory Committee; Economic Services Division (ESD) staff who administer the health care programs and handle the Medicaid and RMA finances for ESD, and the Refugee Health Coordinator at the Department of Health.
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS: The rule will have negligible economic impact because the program is already being administered. This is an update and clarification of the existing Refugee Medical Assistance rules.
SCHEDULED HEARINGS: July 5, 2005; 1:00 Blue Room conference room, Economic Services Division, 103 S. Main St., Waterbury, VT.
DEADLINE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT: July 12, 2005.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Catherine Simpson, Senior Policy Analyst, AHS / Economic Services Division, Planning, Policy and Regulation (PPR) 103 S. Main St. Waterbury, VT 05671-1201 Phone: (802-241-2556) Fax: (802-241-3934) Email: cos@ahs.state.vt.us
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No-Cost Moose License
Vermont Proposed Rule: 05P021
AGENCY: Natural Resources, Fish & Wildlife Dept.
CONCISE SUMMARY: This rule establishes the criteria and process for issuing a no-cost moose license to a child or young adult with a life threatening disease or illness.
TYPE OF PERSONS AFFECTED: children or young adults with life threatening diseases or illnesses, certain 503(c)(3) charitable organizations and moose hunters and viewers.
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS: Minimal economic impact is anticipated. The Commissioner only has the discretion to issue one permit. The cost of the permit and application fee is $110.00 for residents and $375.00 for non-residents so these would be the lost income to the Department.
SCHEDULED HEARINGS: None Scheduled at this time.
DEADLINE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT: July 7, 2005
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Stephen K. Hill, Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, 103 South Main Street, Waterbury, VT 05671-0501 802-241-3700
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Antlerless Deer Season 2005, Regulation # 911
Vermont Proposed Rule: 05P022
AGENCY: Natural Resources, Fish & Wildlife Dept.
CONCISE SUMMARY: The rule is intended to facilitate the scientific management of Vermont's white-tailed deer resource. Antlerless deer permits allow for the regulated harvest of female deer. by doing so the Department is able to maintain the size of the deer population at a level that is both ecologically consistent with long-term forest habitat health and provide the people of Vermont with a satisfactory level of deer related activity (e.g. hunting and viewing).
TYPE OF PERSONS AFFECTED: Hunters, landowners, hunting equipment and supplies merchants, general store owners, lodging owners, F&W Department personnel, Travel and Tourism personnel, professional foresters, birding organizations and hunting clubs.
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS: Antlerless permits allow the hunter more opportunity to harvest a deer and consequently increase the number of days a person is likely to spend afield. As days afield increase so does the expenditures of each individual hunter. This rule will also indirectly allow economic benefits from dollars spent by hunters at various stores, restaurants, and lodging facilities in Vermont.
SCHEDULED HEARINGS: In accordance with 10 V.S.A. § 4081 (f), regional deer meetings were held in Bennington, March 30, 2005; Orleans, March 23, 2005; Barre, March 22, 2005; St. Albans, March 16, 2005; and Springfield, March 24,2005. Over 1,100 people attended the meetings. No other public meeting is scheduled at this time.
DEADLINE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT: April 1, 2005.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: John Buck, Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife 5 Perry Street, Suite 40, Barre, VT 05641-4266 802-476-0199.
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Medicare Supplement Insurance Minimum Standards Regulation, Regulation H-2005-02
Vermont Proposed Rule: 05P018
AGENCY: Dept. of Banking, Insurance, Securities & Health Care Administration
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Cassandra S. Edson, Staff Attorney Health Care Administration Division, BISHCA, 80 Main Street, Drawer 20, Montpelier, VT 05620-3601 802-828-2900
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- If you have general questions about the rulemaking process, please contact
- Louise Corliss by e-mail at or by phone 802-828-2863
