[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 77 (Wednesday, April 22, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 19926]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-10883]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration
[HCFA-1040-N]


Medicare Program; May 7, 1998, Meeting of the Competitive Pricing 
Advisory Committee

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 Competitive 
Pricing Advisory Committee. This meeting is open to the public.

DATES: The meeting is scheduled for May 7, 1998 from 10:00 a.m. until 6 
p.m. E.D.S.T.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in Room 5051, Wilbur J. Cohen 
Building (entrance on ``C'' street), 300 Independence Avenue, S.W., 
Washington, DC 20201.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lu Zawistowich, Sc.D., Executive 
Director, Competitive Pricing Advisory Committee, Health Care Financing 
Administration, 7500 Security Boulevard S3-02-01, Baltimore, Maryland 
21244-1850, (410) 786-6451.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 4011 of the Balanced Budget Act of 
1997 (BBA) requires the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human 
Services (the Secretary) to establish a demonstration project under 
which payments to Medicare+Choice organizations in designated areas are 
determined in accordance with a competitive pricing methodology. 
Section 4012 of BBA requires the Secretary to appoint a Competitive 
Pricing Advisory Committee (CPAC). The CPAC will meet periodically to 
make recommendations to the Secretary concerning the designation of 
areas for inclusion in the project and appropriate research design for 
implementing the project.
    The CPAC is being assembled and will consist of individuals who are 
independent actuaries, experts in competitive pricing, and experts in 
the administration of the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program. In 
accordance with section 4012(a)(5) of the BBA, the CPAC shall terminate 
on December 31, 2004.
    The CPAC will be sworn in and hold its first meeting on May 7. The 
agenda will include discussion of background materials relevant to 
competitive pricing and the goals and objectives of the demonstrations. 
Members will be asked to develop and prioritize a list of important 
demonstration design issues and the information needed to study and 
address the issues. The CPAC will develop a schedule for decision 
making on each issue that can be addressed within the mandated time 
frame for implementation of the project. The CPAC will decide the 
number of additional meetings that are needed and a tentative agenda 
for each.
    Individuals or organizations that wish to make 5-minute oral 
presentations on the agenda issues should contact the Executive 
Director (listed above in this notice under For Further Information 
Contact) by 12 noon, April 28, 1998, 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 noon, May 4, 1998. Anyone who is not scheduled to speak 
may submit written comments to the Executive Director by 12:00 noon, 
May 4, 1998. The meeting is open to the public, but attendance is 
limited to the space available.

(Section 4012 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, Public Law 105-33 
(42 U.S.C 1395w-23 note) and section 10(a) of Public Law 92-463 (5 
U.S.C. App. 2, section 10(a))

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

    Dated: April 20, 1998.
Nancy-Ann Min DeParle,
Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.
[FR Doc. 98-10883 Filed 4-21-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P