[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 217 (Tuesday, November 10, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63068-63069]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30103]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration
[HCFA-1048-N]
RIN 0938-AJ27


Medicare Program; Request for Nominations for the Practicing 
Physicians Advisory Council

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice requests nominations from medical organizations 
representing physicians for individuals to serve on the Practicing 
Physicians Advisory Council (the Council).
    Section 4112 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 
established the Council to advise the Secretary of the Department of 
Health and Human Services on proposed regulations and manual issuances 
related to physicians' services. Four council members' terms of service 
are scheduled to expire on February 28, 1999.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Nominations will be considered if we receive them at 
the appropriate address, provided below, no later than 5 p.m. on 
November 30, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver nominations to the following address: Health 
Care Financing Administration, Center for Health Plans and Providers, 
Office of Professional Relations, Attention: Aron Primack, M.D., 
Executive Director, Practicing Physicians Advisory Council, Room 435H, 
Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, 
DC 20201.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Aron Primack, M.D., Executive 
Director, Practicing Physicians Advisory Council, (202) 690-7418.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 4112 of the Omnibus Budget 
Reconciliation Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-508), added a new section 
1868 to the Social Security Act (the Act), which established the 
Practicing Physicians Advisory Council (the Council). The Council 
advises the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services 
(the Secretary) on proposed regulations and manual issuances related to 
physicians' services. An advisory committee created by the Congress, 
such as this one, is subject to the provisions of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. 2).
    Section 1868(a) of the Act requires that the Council consist of 15 
physicians, each of whom must have submitted at least 250 claims for 
physicians' services under Medicare in the previous year. At least 11 
Council members must be physicians as defined in section 1861(r)(1) of 
the Act; that is, State-licensed physicians of medicine or osteopathy. 
The other four Council members may include dentists, podiatrists, 
optometrists, and chiropractors.
    The Council must include both participating and nonparticipating 
physicians, as well as physicians practicing in rural and underserved 
urban areas. In addition, section 1868(a) of the Act provides that 
nominations to the Secretary for Council membership must be made by 
medical organizations representing physicians.
    This notice is an invitation to all organizations representing 
physicians to submit nominees for membership on the Council. Current 
members whose terms expire in 1999 will be considered for 
reappointment, if renominated, subject to the Federal Advisory 
Committee Management Handbook. The Secretary will appoint new members 
to the Council from among those candidates determined to have the 
expertise required to meet specific agency needs and in a manner to 
ensure appropriate balance of membership.
    Each nomination must state that the nominee has expressed a 
willingness to serve as a Council member and must be accompanied by a 
short resume or description of the nominee's experience. To permit an 
evaluation of possible sources of conflict of interest, potential 
candidates will be asked to provide detailed information concerning 
financial holdings, consultant positions, research grants, and 
contracts.
    Section 1868(b) of the Act provides that the Council meet once each 
calendar quarter, as requested by the Secretary, to discuss proposed 
changes in regulations and manual issuances that relate to physicians' 
services. Council members are expected to participate in all meetings.
    Section 1868(c) of the Act provides for payment of expenses and a 
per diem allowance for Council members at a rate equal to payment 
provided members of other advisory committees. In addition to making 
these payments, the Department of Health and Human Services provides 
management and support services to the Council.


[[Page 63069]]


    Authority: Section 1868 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
1395ee); 5 U.S.C. App. 2; and 45 CFR part 11.

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

    Dated: October 30, 1998.
Nancy-Ann Min DeParle,
Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.
[FR Doc. 98-30103 Filed 11-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P