[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 85 (Friday, May 2, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24120-24126]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-11437]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration


Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of 
Authority

    Part F of the Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations 
of Authority for the Department of Health and Human Services, Health 
Care Financing Administration (HCFA), (Federal Register, Vol. 59, No. 
60, pp. 14628-14662, dated Tuesday, March 29, 1994, and subsequent 
thereafter) is amended to reflect changes to the structure of HCFA.
    HCFA has reorganized the way it operates for the following reasons: 
Growth of managed care, changes in the Federal/State relationship, and 
movement to a Medicare Transaction System environment. The Centers/
Offices are functionally grouped to support beneficiaries and be more 
responsive to major changes in the health care market.

The specific amendments to Part F are described below:

 Section F.10.A.5. (Organization) is amended to read as 
follows:

1. Press Office (FAE)
2. Office of Legislation (FAF)
3. Office of Internal Customer Support (FAH)
4. Office of Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights (FAJ)
5. Office of Strategic Planning (FAK)
6. Office of Communications and Operations Support (FAL)
7. Office of Clinical Standards and Quality (FAM)
8. Office of Financial Management (FAN)
9. Office of Information Services (FAP)
10. Center for Beneficiary Services (FAQ)
11. Center for Health Plans and Providers (FAR)
12. Center for Medicaid and State Operations (FAS)
13. Consortium #1 (FAU)
14. Consortium #2 (FAV)
15. Consortium #3 (FAW)
16. Consortium #4 (FAX)

 Section F.20.A.5. (Functions) is amended to read as follows:

1. Press Office (FAE)
     Serves as the focal point for the Agency to the news 
media.
     Serves as senior counsel to the Administrator in all 
activities related to the media. Provides consultation, advice, and 
training to the Agency's senior staff with respect to relations with 
the news media.
     Develops and executes strategies to further the Agency's 
relationship and dealings with the media. Maintains a broad based 
knowledge of the Agency's structure, responsibilities, mission, goals, 
programs, and initiatives in order to provide or arrange for rapid and 
accurate response to news media needs.
     Prepares and edits appropriate materials about the Agency, 
its policies, actions and findings, and provides them to the public 
through the print and broadcast media. Develops and directs media 
relations' strategies for the Agency.
     Responds to inquiries from a broad variety of news media, 
including major newspapers, national television and radio networks, 
national news magazines, local newspapers and radio and television 
stations, publications directed toward the Agency's beneficiary 
populations, and newsletters serving the health care industry.
     Manages press inquiries, coordinates sensitive press 
issues, and develops policies and procedures for how press and media 
inquiries are handled.
     Arranges formal interviews for journalists with the 
Agency's Administrator or other appropriate senior Agency staff; 
identifies for interviewees the issues to be addressed, and prepares or 
obtains background materials as needed.
     For significant Agency initiatives, issues media 
advisories and arranges press conferences as appropriate; coordinates 
material and personnel as necessary.
     Serves as liaison with the Department of Health and Human 
Services and White House press offices.
2. Office of Legislation (FAF)
     Provides leadership and executive direction within the 
Agency for legislative planning to address the Administration's agenda.
     Tracks, evaluates and develops provisions of annual 
legislative proposals for Medicare, Medicaid, Clinical Laboratory 
Improvement Act (CLIA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability 
Act (HIPAA) and related statutes affecting health care financing

[[Page 24121]]

quality and access in concert with HCFA components, the Department and 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
     Advances the legislative policy process through analysis, 
review and development of health care initiatives and issues.
     Develops the long-range legislative plans for the Agency 
in collaboration with the HCFA Centers and Offices.
     Participates with other HCFA components in the development 
of Agency policy, including implementing regulations and administrative 
actions.
     Manages pro-actively the Agency's response in times of 
heightened congressional oversight of HCFA in collaboration with the 
Centers and Offices. Manages, coordinates and develops policies for 
responding to congressional inquiries.
     Coordinates activities with the Office of the Assistant 
Secretary for Legislation (ASL) and serves as the ASL's principal 
contact point on legislative and congressional relations.
     In collaboration with HCFA Centers and Offices, provides 
technical assistance, consultation and information services to 
congressional committees and individual members of Congress on the 
Medicare and Medicaid programs, new HCFA initiatives and pertinent 
legislation.
     In collaboration with the HCFA Centers and Offices, 
provides technical, analytical, advisory and information services to 
the Agency's components, the Department, the White House, OMB, other 
government agencies, private organizations and the general public on 
Agency legislation.
     Tracks and reports on legislation relating to HCFA 
programs and maintains legislative reference library.
     Coordinates the Agency's participation in congressional 
hearings, including preparation of testimony and briefing materials, 
and covers all other congressional hearings on matters of interest to 
the Agency except Appropriations Committee hearings specifically on the 
appropriation budget.
3. Office of Internal Customer Support (FAH)
     Serves as the focal point for providing the Agency's 
internal customers (employees) with support in human resource 
management, procurement management, logistics, and local area network 
(LAN) services. Includes planning, organizing, coordinating, and 
evaluating needed activities in each area.
     Manages and directs the Agency's human resources programs 
including: Human resources planning and development, position 
classification, organizational analysis and development, administrative 
and program delegations of authority, management support, labor 
relations, employee assistance, employee benefits, and performance 
management and awards.
     Leads the assessment of staff development and support 
requirements. Designs, develops and maintains staff development 
programs to meet theses needs. Activities focus on: Development of 
baseline information and an ongoing performance monitoring program of 
staff satisfaction and functional competencies; development of 
communications and feedback mechanisms within the Agency; and close 
collaboration with other Federal and private sector groups with shared 
interest in human resource management and development.
     Develops and implements the Agency's policies, rules and 
procedures related to effecting, managing and directing Agency 
procurements. Ensures that procurement meet all legal, ethical and 
financial requirements. Working with the project officer (technical 
representative) in the components, evaluates the performance of 
contractor/grantee, and ensures that required deliverables are produced 
within prescribed guidelines.
     Provides workstation, server, and local area network 
support for HCFA-wide activities. Works with customer components to 
develop requirements, needs and cost benefit analysis in support of the 
LAN infrastructure including hardware, software and office automation 
services.
     Provides policy direction, coordination and support for 
administrative services including space, property, records, printing 
and facilities' management, safety and security, and teleproduction, 
telecommunications and graphics services, and a centralized customer 
service desk.
     Serves as the organizational home of the Provider 
Reimbursement Review Board (PRRB). Furnishes administrative support to 
the PRRB and the Medicare Geographic Classification Review Board 
(MGCRB). On behalf of the Secretary or the Administrator conducts 
hearings that are not within the jurisdiction of the Departmental 
Appeals Board, the Social Security Administration's Office of Hearings 
and Appeals, PRRB, MGCRB, Medicare contractors, or the States.
     Provides administrative support functions for Executive 
Management Services.
     Develops and maintains administrative systems for 
personnel, property management, and related purposes.
4. Office of Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights (FAJ)
     Provides agency-wide leadership and advice on issues of 
diversity, civil right, and promotion of a supportive work environment 
for Agency employees.
     Develops, implements and manages affirmative employment 
programs. Provides principal advisory, advocacy, and liaison services 
for the Administrator to Agency leadership and employees concerning 
equality in employment related issues to ensure a diverse workforce.
     Develops Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and civil 
rights compliance policy for the Agency. Assesses the Agency's 
compliance with applicable civil rights statutes, executive orders, 
regulations, policies, and programs.
     Identifies policy and operational issues and proposes 
solutions for resolving these issues in partnership with management, 
Office of the General Counsel, and other organizational entities.
     Receives and evaluates complaints for procedural 
sufficiency; investigates, adjudicates and resolves such complaints.
     Promotes the representation of minority groups, women, and 
individuals with disabilities through community outreach and other 
activities.
     Resolves informal discrimination complaints by means of 
EEO counseling and/or Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
     Develops and analyzes data for internal and external 
reports reflecting the diversity of the Agency workforce and fairness 
in employment related actions. Makes recommendations to management on 
changes needed to ensure equal employment opportunity in every respect.
     Serves as the internal advocate for civil rights and 
related principles. Provides training, seminars, and technical guidance 
to Agency staff.
5. Office of Strategic Planning (FAK)
     Develops and manages the long-term strategic planning 
process for the Agency; responsible for the Agency's conformance with 
the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA).
     Provides analytic support and information to the 
Administrator and

[[Page 24122]]

the Executive Council needed to establish Agency goals and directions.
     Performs environmental scanning, identifying, evaluating, 
and reporting emerging trends in health care delivery and financing and 
their interactions with Agency programs.
     Manages strategic, crosscutting initiatives.
     Designs and conducts research and evaluations of health 
care programs, studying their impacts on beneficiaries, providers, 
plans, States and other partners and customers, designing and assessing 
potential improvements, and developing new measurement tools.
     Coordinates all Agency demonstration activities, including 
development of the research and demonstration annual plan, evaluation 
of all Agency demonstrations, and assistance to other components in the 
design of demonstrations and studies.
     Manages assigned demonstrations, including Federal review, 
approval, and oversight; coordinates and participates with departmental 
components in experimental health care delivery projects.
     Conducts the Agency's actuarial program. Evaluates the 
financial and actuarial status of HCFA programs for the annual Trustees 
Reports and Administration budget, and under proposed legislation. 
Develops macroeconomic analyses of health care financing issues; 
conducts actuarial, economic, and demographic studies and develops 
projections of health care costs.
     Provides actuarial and other technical advice and 
consultation to Agency components, governmental components, Congress, 
and outside organizations.
     Develops the official estimates of the Nation's health 
care spending.
     Develops actuarial, research, demonstration, and other 
publications and papers related to health care issues.
     Computes payment rates, indices, and copayments in support 
of program operations.
6. Office of Communications and Operations Support (FAL)
     Serves a neutral broker coordination role, including 
scheduling meetings and briefings for the Administrator and 
coordinating communications between and among central and regional 
office, in order to ensure that emerging issues are identified early, 
all concerned components are directly and fully involved in policy 
development/decision making and that all points of view are presented.
     Coordinates and monitors assigned Agency initiatives which 
are generally tactical, short-term and cross-component in nature (e.g., 
legislative implementation).
     Provides operational and analytical support to the 
Executive Council.
     Manages speaking and meeting requests for or on behalf of 
the Administrator and Deputy Administrator and researches and writes 
speeches.
     Coordinates agency-wide communication policies to insure 
that messages for external audiences appropriately incorporate Agency 
themes.
     Coordinates the preparation of manuals and other policy 
instructions to insure accurate and consistent implementation of the 
Agency's programs.
     Manages the Agency's system for developing, clearing and 
tracking regulations, setting regulation priorities and corresponding 
work agendas; coordinates the review of regulations received for 
concurrence from departmental and other government agencies and 
develops routine and special reports on the Agency's regulatory 
activities.
     Manages the agency-wide clearance system to insure 
appropriate involvement from Agency components and serves as a primary 
focal point for liaison with the Executive Secretariat in the Office of 
the Secretary.
     Operates the agency-wide correspondence tracking and 
control system and provides guidance and technical assistance on 
standards for content of correspondence and memoranda.
     Formulates strategies to advance overall communications 
goals and coordinates the design and publication process in electronic 
and other media for HCFA electronic information, publications and 
reports to ensure consistency with other information.
     Provides management and administrative support to the 
Office of the Attorney Advisor and staff.
7. Office of Clinical Standards and Quality
     Serves as the focal point for all quality, clinical and 
medical science issues and policies for the Agency's programs. Provides 
leadership and coordination for the development and implementation of a 
cohesive, agency-wide approach to measuring and promoting quality and 
leads the Agency's priority-setting process for clinical quality 
improvement. Coordinates quality-related activities with outside 
organizations. Monitors quality of Medicare, Medicaid, and CLIA. 
Evaluates the success of interventions.
     Identifies and develops best practices and techniques in 
quality improvement; implementation of these techniques will be 
overseen by appropriate components. Develops and collaborates on 
demonstration projects to test and promote quality measurement and 
improvement.
     Develops, tests and evaluates, adopts and supports 
performance measurement systems (quality indicators @) to evaluate care 
provided to HCFA beneficiaries except for demonstration projects 
residing in other components.
     Assures that the Agency's quality-related activities 
(survey and certification, technical assistance, beneficiary 
information, payment policies and provider/plan incentives) are fully 
and effectively integrated. Carries out the Health Care Quality 
Improvement Program (HCQIP) for the Medicare, Medicaid, and CLIA 
programs.
     Leads in the specification and operational refinement of 
an integrated HCFA quality information system, which includes tools for 
measuring the coordination of care between health care settings; 
analyzes data supplied by that system to identify opportunities to 
improve care and assess success of improvement interventions.
     Develops requirements of participation for providers and 
plans in the Medicare, Medicaid, and CLIA programs. Revises 
requirements based on statutory change and input from other components.
     Operates the Medicare Peer Review Organization and End 
Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Network program in conjunction with regional 
offices, providing policies and procedures, contract design, program 
coordination, and leadership in selected projects.
     Identifies, prioritizes and develops content for clinical 
and health related aspects of HCFA's Consumer Information Strategy; 
collaborates with other components to develop comparative provider and 
plan performance information for consumer choices.
     Prepares the scientific, clinical, and procedural basis 
for and recommends to the Administrator decisions regarding coverage of 
new and established technologies and services. Coordinates activities 
of the Agency's Technology Advisory Committee (TAC) and maintains 
liaison with other departmental components regarding the safety and 
effectiveness of technologies and services; prepares the scientific and

[[Page 24123]]

clinical basis for, and recommends approaches to, quality-related 
medical review activities of carriers and payment policies.
8. Office of Financial Management (FAN)
     Serves as the Chief Financial Officer and Comptroller for 
the Agency.
     Formulates, presents and executes all Agency budget 
accounts; develops outlay plans and tracks contract and grant award 
amounts; acts as liaison with the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) on 
budget estimates; reviews demonstration waivers (except 1115) for 
revenue neutrality. Is responsible for ensuring that the budget is 
formulated in accordance with the Agency's strategic plan and the GPRA 
goals and performance measures.
     Acts as liaison with ASMB, OMB, and the Congressional 
appropriations committees for all matters concerning the Agency's 
operating budget.
     Manages the Medicare financial management system, the 
Medicare contractors' budgets, Peer Review Organizations' budgets, 
research budgets, managed care payments, the issuance of State Medicaid 
grants, and the funding of the State survey/certification and the CLIA 
programs. Is responsible for all Agency disbursements.
     Performs cash management activities and establishes and 
maintains systems to control the obligation of funds and ensure that 
the Anti-Deficiency Act is not violated.
     Performs the Agency's debt management activities (e.g., 
accounts receivable, user fees, penalties, disallowances).
     Reconciles all Agency financial data and prepares external 
reports to other agencies such as HHS, Treasury, OMB, Internal Revenue 
Service, General Services Administration, related to the Agency's 
obligations, expenditures, prompt payment activities, debt and cash 
management, and other administrative functions.
     Has overall responsibility for the fiscal integrity of all 
Agency programs. Develops and performs all benefit integrity policy and 
operations in coordination with other Agency components. Manages the 
Medicare program integrity contractors authorized by the HIPAA and 
managed care financial audit and enforcement functions. In coordination 
with the Center for State Operations, develops Medicaid program 
integrity policy; and monitors Medicaid program integrity activities.
     Working with other HCFA components, develops Agency 
policies governing both Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) and Medicaid 
Third Party Liability.
     Develops and implements all civil money penalty policies 
in all programs.
     Acts as audit liaison with the General Accounting Office 
(GAO) and the HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG).
     Prepares financial statements for Federal Managers 
Financial Integrity Act (FMFIA) and GPRA.
9. Office of Information Services (FAP)
     Serves as the focal point for the responsibilities of the 
Agency's Chief Information Officer in planning, organizing, and 
coordinating the activities required to maintain an agency-wide 
Information Resources Management (IRM) program.
     Ensures the effective management of the Agency's 
information technology, and information systems and resources (e.g., 
implementation and administration of a change management process).
     Serves as the lead for developing and enforcing the 
Agency's information architecture, policies, standards, and practices 
in all areas of information technology.
     Develops and maintains enterprise-wide central databases, 
statistical files, and general access paths, ensuring the quality of 
information maintained in these data sources.
     Develops and implements the Medicare Transaction System 
(MTS).
     Directs Medicare claims payment systems activities, 
including CWF operation, as well as systems conversion activities.
     Develops ADP standards and policies for use by internal 
HCFA staff and contractor agents in such areas as applications 
development and use of the infrastructure resources.
     Manages and directs the operation of HCFA hardware 
infrastructure, including the Agency's Data Center, data communications 
networks, enterprise infrastructure, voice/data switch, audio 
conferencing and other data centers supporting HCFA programs.
     Leads the coordination, development, implementation and 
maintenance of health care information standards in the health care 
industry.
     Provides Medicare and Medicaid information to the public, 
within the parameters imposed by the Freedom of Information (FOIA) and 
Privacy Acts.
     Performs information collection analyses as necessary to 
satisfy the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act.
     Directs HCFA's ADP systems security program with respect 
to data, hardware, and software.
     Directs and advises the Administrator, senior staff, and 
components on the requirements, policies, and administration of the 
Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act.
10. Center for Beneficiary Services (FAQ)
     Serves as the focal point for all Agency interactions with 
beneficiaries, their families, care givers and other representatives 
concerning improving beneficiary ability to make informed decisions 
about their health and about program benefits administered by the 
Agency. These activities include strategic and implementation planning 
and evaluation, and communications.
     Assesses beneficiary and other consumer needs, develops 
and oversees interventions targeted to meet these needs, and documents 
and disseminates results of these interventions. These activities focus 
on Agency beneficiary service goals and objectives and include: 
Development of baseline and ongoing monitoring information concerning 
populations affected by Agency programs; development of performance 
measures and evaluation programs; design and implementation of 
beneficiary services initiatives; development of communications 
channels and feedback mechanisms within the Agency and between the 
Agency and its beneficiaries and their representatives; and close 
collaboration with other Federal and State agencies and other 
stakeholders with a shared interest in better serving our 
beneficiaries.
     Develops national Medicare eligibility, enrollment, 
entitlement, coordination of benefits, managed care enrollment and 
disenrollment and appeals process policies and procedures necessary to 
assure the effective administration of the Medicare program, including 
the development of related statutory proposals.
     Coordinates beneficiary-centered information, education 
and service initiatives.
     Develops and tests new and innovative methods to improve 
beneficiary aspects of health care delivery systems through Title XVIII 
and XIX demonstrations and other creative approaches to meeting the 
needs of Agency beneficiaries.
     Assures in coordination with other Centers and Offices, 
that the activities of Medicare contractors, including managed care 
plans, agents and State Agencies meet the Agency's

[[Page 24124]]

requirements on matters concerning beneficiaries and other consumers.
     Plans and administers the contracts and grants related to 
beneficiary and customer service, including the Information Counseling 
and Assistance grants.
     During the period of transition to the Medicare 
Transaction System, coordinates all aspects of program direction and 
contract management and oversight of the current Medicare fiscal 
intermediaries and carriers and MTSI contractors.
11. Center for Health Plans and Providers (FAR)
     Serves as the focal point for all Agency interactions with 
managed health care organizations and health care providers for issues 
relating to Agency programs' policy and operations.
     Develops purchasing strategies that will improve the 
quality of health care choices for beneficiaries.
     Develops national policies and procedures related to the 
development, qualification and compliance of health maintenance 
organizations, competitive medical plans and other health care delivery 
systems and purchasing arrangements (such as prospective pay, case 
management, differential payment, selective contracting, etc.) 
necessary to assure the effective administration of the Agency's 
programs, including the development of statutory proposals.
     Monitors providers', health plans' and other entities' 
conformance with: Quality standards (other than those directly related 
to survey and certification); policies related to scope of benefits; 
and other statutory, regulatory, and contractual provisions.
     Based on medical review data, develops payment mechanisms, 
administrative mechanisms, and regulations to ensure that HCFA is 
purchasing medically necessary services in both fee-for-service and 
managed care.
     Writes payment and benefit-related instructions for 
Medicare contractors.
     Handles all phases of contracts with managed health care 
organizations eligible to provide care to Medicare beneficiaries.
     Is the primary point of contact and liaison with other 
public and private purchasers, except the States, for the purposes of 
developing collaborative purchasing, management, quality assurance, 
oversight, and other strategies and projects.
     Defines the scope of Medicare benefits and develops 
national payment policies as necessary to assure the effective 
administration of the Agency's programs, including the development of 
related statutory proposals.
     Coordinates the administration of individual benefits to 
assure appropriate focus on long term care, where applicable, and 
assumes responsibility for the operational and demonstration efforts 
related to the payment aspects of long term care and post-acute care 
services.
     Designs and conducts payment, purchasing, and benefits 
demonstrations.
     Develops Agency medical coding policies related to 
payments.
     Provides administrative support to the Practicing 
Physician Advisory Council.
12. Center for Medicaid and State Operations (FAS)
     Serves as the focal point for all Agency interactions with 
States and local governments (including the Territories) and Native 
American and Alaskan Native tribes.
     Develops national Medicaid policies and procedures which 
support and assure effective State program administration and 
beneficiary protection. In partnership with the States, evaluates the 
success of State agencies in carrying out their responsibilities and, 
as necessary, assists the States in correcting problems and improving 
the quality of their operations.
     Develops, interprets, and applies specific laws, 
regulations, and policies that directly govern the financial operation 
and management of the Medicaid program and the related interactions 
with the States and regional offices.
     Develops national policies and procedures to support and 
assure appropriate State implementation of the rules and processes 
governing group and individual health insurance markets and the sale of 
health insurance policies that supplement Medicare coverage.
     In coordination with other components, develops, 
implements, evaluates and refines standardized provider performance 
measures used within provider certification programs. Supports States 
in their use of standardized measures for provider feedback and quality 
improvement activities. Develops, implements and supports the data 
collection and analysis systems needed by States to administer the 
certification program.
     Reviews, approves and conducts oversight of Medicaid 
managed care waiver programs. Provides assistance to States and 
external customers on all Medicaid managed care issues.
     Develops national policies and procedures on Medicaid 
automated claims/ encounter processing and information retrieval 
systems such as the Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS) and 
integrated eligibility determination systems.
     In coordination with the Office of Financial Management, 
directs, coordinates, and monitors program integrity efforts and 
activities by States and regions. Works with the Office of Financial 
Management to provide input in the development of program integrity 
policy.
     Through administration of the home and community based 
services program and policy collaboration with other Agency components 
and the States, promotes the appropriate choice and continuity of 
quality services available to frail elderly, disabled and chronically 
ill beneficiaries.
     Develops and tests new and innovative methods to improve 
the Medicaid program through demonstrations and best practices 
including managing review, approval, and oversight of the Section 1115 
demonstrations.
     Directs the planning, coordination, and implementation of 
the survey, certification, and enforcement programs for all Medicare 
and Medicaid providers and suppliers, and for laboratories under the 
auspices of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA). Reviews and 
approves applications by States for ``exemption'' from CLIA and 
applications from private accreditation organizations for deeming 
authority. Develops assessment techniques and protocols for 
periodically evaluating the performance of these entities. Monitors the 
performance of proficiency testing programs under the auspices of CLIA.
     Provides leadership for the Agency in the area of 
intergovernmental affairs. Advises the Administrator and other Agency 
components on program matters which affect other units and levels of 
government. Coordinates activities with the Office of the Secretary's 
intergovernmental affairs officials.
13. Northeastern Consortium (FAU)
     Directs the planning, coordination, and implementation of 
the programs under Titles XI, XVIII, and XIX of the Social Security Act 
and related statutes within the Agency's regional/field offices that 
comprise the Consortium.
     Provides executive leadership and direction to the 
Agency's Regional Administrator(s) in the Consortium.
     Assures that the Agency's programs are carried out in the 
most effective and efficient manner within the Consortium, and that 
they are coordinated both at the

[[Page 24125]]

consortium level and with the Agency's headquarters' offices.
     Provides a Consortium-wide perspective to the Agency's 
Administrator and other members of the Executive Council in such 
activities as strategic planning, determining the effectiveness of the 
Agency's programs and policies, budget formulation and execution, 
legislation, and administrative management.
     Assures that the Agency's national policies, programs and 
special initiatives are implemented effectively throughout the 
Consortium. Conducts local projects to improve the quality of medical 
care provided to beneficiaries and to control fraud, abuse and waste in 
the Agency's programs.
     Evaluates progress in the administration of the Agency's 
programs in the Consortium, ensuring that required actions are taken to 
direct or redirect efforts and/or resources to achieve program 
objectives.
     Working with the Regional Administrator(s) in the 
Consortium and the Agency's headquarters' leadership, assures that the 
information needs of the Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries are fully 
understood and met, to the maximum degree possible. In association with 
other Agency components, maintains an understanding of the health care 
market that is operating in the Consortium in order to allow the Agency 
to adapt to changes in that market when appropriate.
     Assures that the Regional Administrator(s) in the 
Consortium Fully coordinate the Agency's programs with other Health and 
Human Services' components, other Federal agencies, the Agency's 
contractors, State and local governments, professional associations, 
other interested groups, and the Agency's beneficiaries and/or 
representatives in their respective region.
     Working with the Agency's headquarters, manages the 
Consortium's administrative budget, to include the planning and 
allocation of resources to the regional offices comprising the 
Consortium.
14. Southern Consortium (FAV)
     Directs the planning, coordination, and implementation of 
the programs under Titles XI, XVIII, and XIX of the Social Security Act 
and related statutes within the Agency's regional/field offices that 
comprise the Consortium.
     Provides executive leadership and direction to the 
Agency's Regional Administrator(s) in the Consortium.
     Assures that the Agency's programs are carried out in the 
most effective and efficient manner within the Consortium, and that 
they are coordinated both at the consortium level and with the Agency's 
headquarters' offices.
     Provides a Consortium-wide perspective to the Agency's 
Administrator and other members of the Executive Council in such 
activities as strategic planning, determining the effectiveness of the 
Agency's programs and policies, budget formulation and execution, 
legislation, and administrative management.
     Assures that the Agency's national policies, programs and 
special initiatives are implemented effectively throughout the 
Consortium. Conducts local projects to improve the quality of medical 
care provided to beneficiaries and to control fraud, abuse and waste in 
the Agency's programs.
     Evaluates progress in the administration of the Agency's 
programs in the Consortium, ensuring that required actions are taken to 
direct or redirect efforts and/or resources to achieve program 
objectives.
     Working with the Regional Administrator(s) in the 
Consortium and the Agency's headquarters' leadership, assures that the 
information needs of the Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries are fully 
understood and met, to the maximum degree possible. In association with 
other Agency components, maintains an understanding of the health care 
market that is operating in the Consortium in order to allow the Agency 
to adapt to changes in that market when appropriate.
     Assures that the Regional Administrator(s) in the 
Consortium fully coordinate the Agency's programs with other Health and 
Human Services' components, other Federal agencies, the Agency's 
contractors, State and local governments, professional associations, 
other interested groups, and the Agency's beneficiaries and/or 
representatives in their respective region.
     Working with the Agency's headquarters, manages the 
Consortium's administrative budget, to include the planning and 
allocation of resources to the regional offices comprising the 
Consortium.
15. Midwestern Consortium (FAW)
     Directs the planning, coordination, and implementation of 
the programs under Titles XI, XVIII, and XIX of the Social Security Act 
and related statutes within the Agency's regional/field offices that 
comprise the Consortium.
     Provides executive leadership and direction to the 
Agency's Regional Administrator(s) in the Consortium.
     Assures that the Agency's programs are carried out in the 
most effective and efficient manner within the Consortium, and that 
they are coordinated both at the consortium level and with the Agency's 
headquarters' offices.
     Provides a Consortium-wide perspective to the Agency's 
Administrator and other members of the Executive Council in such 
activities as strategic planning, determining the effectiveness of the 
Agency's programs and policies, budget formulation and execution, 
legislation, and administrative management.
     Assures that the Agency's national policies, programs and 
special initiatives are implemented effectively throughout the 
Consortium. Conducts local projects to improve the quality of medical 
care provided to beneficiaries and to control fraud, abuse and waste in 
the Agency's programs.
     Evaluates progress in the administration of the Agency's 
programs in the Consortium, ensuring that required actions are taken to 
direct or redirect efforts and/or resources to achieve program 
objectives.
     Working with the Regional Administrator(s) in the 
Consortium and the Agency's headquarters' leadership, assures that the 
information needs of the Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries are fully 
understood and met, to the maximum degree possible. In association with 
other Agency components, maintains an understanding of the health care 
market that is operating in the Consortium in order to allow the Agency 
to adapt to changes in that market when appropriate.
     Assures that the Regional Administrator(s) in the 
Consortium fully coordinate the Agency's programs with other Health and 
Human Services' components, other Federal agencies, the Agency's 
contractors, State and local governments, professional associations, 
other interested groups, and the Agency's beneficiaries and/or 
representatives in their respective region.
     Working with the Agency's headquarters, manages the 
Consortium's administrative budget, to include the planning and 
allocation of resources to the regional offices comprising the 
Consortium.
16. Western Consortium (FAX)
     Directs the planning, coordination, and implementation of 
the programs under Titles XI, XVIII, and XIX of the Social Security Act 
and related statutes within the Agency's regional/field offices that 
comprise the Consortium.

[[Page 24126]]

     Provides executive leadership and direction to the 
Agency's Regional Administrator(s) in the Consortium.
     Assures that the Agency's programs are carried out in the 
most effective and efficient manner within the Consortium, and that 
they are coordinated both at the consortium level and with the Agency's 
headquarters' offices.
     Provides a Consortium-wide perspective to the Agency's 
Administrator and other members of the Executive Council in such 
activities as strategic planning, determining the effectiveness of the 
Agency's programs and policies, budget formulation and execution, 
legislation, and administrative management.
     Assures that the Agency's national policies, programs and 
special initiatives are implemented effectively throughout the 
Consortium. Conducts local projects to improve the quality of medical 
care provided to beneficiaries and to control fraud, abuse and waste in 
the Agency's programs.
     Evaluates progress in the administration of the Agency's 
programs in the Consortium, ensuring that required actions are taken to 
direct or redirect efforts and/or resources to achieve program 
objectives.
     Working with the Regional Administrator(s) in the 
Consortium and the Agency's headquarters' leadership, assures that the 
information needs of the Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries are fully 
understood and met, to the maximum degree possible. In association with 
other Agency components, maintains an understanding of the health care 
market that is operating in the Consortium in order to allow the Agency 
to adapt to changes in that market when appropriate.
     Assures that the Regional Administrator(s) in the 
Consortium fully coordinate the Agency's programs with other Health and 
Human Services' components, other Federal agencies, the Agency's 
contractors, State and local governments, professional associations, 
other interested groups, and the Agency's beneficiaries and/or 
representatives in their respective region.
     Working with the Agency's headquarters, manages the 
Consortium's administrative budget, to include the planning and 
allocation of resources to the regional offices comprising the 
Consortium.

    Dated: April 19, 1997.
Bruce Vladeck
Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.
[FR Doc. 97-11437 Filed 5-1-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P