[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 224 (Tuesday, November 19, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58885-58886]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-29491]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
[OPL-012-N]


Medicare Program; December 16, 1996 Meeting of the Practicing 
Physicians Advisory Council

AGENCY: Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), HHS.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with section 10(a) of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act, this notice announces a meeting of the Practicing 
Physicians Advisory Council. This meeting is open to the public.

DATES: The meeting is scheduled for December 16, 1996, from 9 a.m. 
until 5 p.m. e.s.t. (The spring meeting is tentatively scheduled for 
March 17, l997, in Washington, D.C.)

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the Auditorium, 1st Floor, 
Health Care Financing Administration Building, 7500 Security Boulevard, 
Baltimore, Maryland 21244.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Samuel Shekar, M.D., Executive 
Director, Practicing Physicians Advisory Council, Room 425-H, Hubert H. 
Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20201, 
(202) 260-5463.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Secretary of the Department of Health 
and Human Services (the Secretary) is mandated by section 1868 of the 
Social Security Act to appoint a Practicing Physicians Advisory Council 
(the Council) based on nominations submitted by medical organizations 
representing physicians. The Council meets quarterly to discuss certain 
proposed changes in regulations and carrier manual instructions related 
to physicians' services, as identified by the

[[Page 58886]]

Secretary. To the extent feasible and consistent with statutory 
deadlines, the consultation must occur before publication of the 
proposed changes. The Council submits an annual report on its 
recommendations to the Secretary and the Administrator of the Health 
Care Financing Administration not later than December 31 of each year.
    The Council consists of 15 physicians, each of whom has submitted 
at least 250 claims for physicians' services under Medicare or Medicaid 
in the previous year. Members of the Council include both participating 
and nonparticipating physicians, and physicians practicing in rural and 
underserved urban areas. At least 11 members must be doctors of 
medicine or osteopathy authorized to practice medicine and surgery by 
the States in which they practice. Members have been invited to serve 
for overlapping 4-year terms. In accordance with section 14 of the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act, terms of more than 2 years are 
contingent upon the renewal of the Council by appropriate action before 
the end of the 2-year term.
    The Council held its first meeting on May 11, 1992.
    The current members are: Richard Bronfman, D.P.M.; Wayne R. 
Carlsen, D.O.; Gary C. Dennis, M.D.; Catalina E. Garcia, M.D.; Kenneth 
D. Hansen, M.D.; Mary T. Herald, M.D.; Ardis Hoven, M.D.; Sandral 
Hullett, M.D.; Jerilynn S. Kaibel, D.C.; Marie G. Kuffner, M.D.; Marc 
Lowe, M.D.; Katherine L. Markette, M.D.; Susan Schooley, M.D.; Maisie 
Tam, M.D.; and Kenneth M. Viste, Jr., M.D. The chairperson is Kenneth 
M. Viste, Jr., M.D.
    The next meeting of the Council will be held on December 16, 1996. 
The Council agenda will provide for discussion and comment on the 
following three items:
     Welfare reform: impact on the Medicaid program.
     Implications for the Medicare and Medicaid programs of the 
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 
104-191), enacted on August 21, 1996.
     Establishing a standard identifier for health care 
providers regulation.
    Council members will also receive practice expense, managed care, 
and Medicaid updates. Individuals or organizations who wish to make 5-
minute oral presentations on the above issues should contact the 
Executive Director by 12:00 noon, December 2, 1996, to be scheduled. 
The number of oral presentations may be limited by the time available. 
A written copy of the oral remarks should be submitted to the Executive 
Director no later than 12:00 noon, December 6, 1996.
    Anyone who is not scheduled to speak may submit written comments to 
the Executive Director by 12:00 noon, December 6, l996. The meeting is 
open to the public, but attendance is limited to the space available.

(Section 1868 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ee) and 
section 10(a) of Public Law 92-463 (5 U.S.C. App. 2, section 10(a)); 
45 CFR Part 11)

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.773, 
Medicare--Hospital Insurance; and Program No. 93.774, Medicare--
Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)

    Dated: November 8, 1996.
Bruce C. Vladeck,
Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.
[FR Doc. 96-29491 Filed 11-18-96; 8:45 am]
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