[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 1 (Monday, January 4, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 170-171]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-34739]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration
[HCFA-3889-N]


Medicare Program; Open Town Hall Meeting to Discuss the Positron 
Emission Tomography

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

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces a meeting to present and discuss the 
current medical and scientific evidence regarding the clinical use of 
positron emission tomography scans for cancers of the head and neck, 
colorectal malignancy, melanoma, lymphoma, and brain tumors. We will 
discuss the clinical comparability of dedicated positron emission 
tomography scanners compared to coincident imaging cameras. This 
meeting represents an aspect of the evolving process for making our 
coverage reviews more open and responsive to the public.

DATES: The meeting is scheduled for January 20, 1999 from 8:00 a.m. 
until 5:00 p.m., E.S.T. and January 21, 1999 from 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 
p.m., E.S.T.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the HCFA headquarters 
auditorium, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mitchell I. Burken, M.D., (410) 786-
6861.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Currently, Medicare covers positron emission tomography (PET) 
scanning for the diagnostic evaluation of solitary pulmonary nodules 
and for staging of primary lung cancer. The purpose of the PET Scan 
Town Hall Meeting is to convene dialogue on PET scanning for the 
evaluation and management of head and neck, brain, and colorectal 
cancers; melanoma; and lymphoma. We anticipate participation by 
national professional medical organizations; medical equipment 
manufacturers; experts in technology assessment, health policy, and 
clinical research; other federal agencies; managed care organizations; 
national cancer organizations; and other members of the public with an 
interest in future oncology applications of PET.
    The format of the meeting will include short (10-20 minutes) public 
presentations on PET scanning for the above oncology applications. It 
is our intent for invited panelists to stimulate further discussion 
based on the presentations. This discussion will be free-flowing and 
will not result in a set of advisory recommendations, or consensus 
statements.
    The PET Scan Town Hall Meeting will assist us in reviewing the 
state of evidence for PET scanning in malignancies, as well as 
understanding the viewpoints of stakeholders with an interest in PET 
coverage policy.
    The meeting will conclude with a question-and-answer session during 
which the public may raise any issues related to the topics discussed. 
While the meeting is open to the public, attendance is limited to space 
available.

[[Page 171]]

Individuals must register in advance as described below.

Registration

    AFYA, Incorporated in Takoma Park, Maryland will handle 
registration for the meeting. Individuals may register by contacting 
Cathy Freeland at AFYA, Incorporated by mail or fax. Please provide 
your name, title, firm name, address, telephone number, fax number, and 
Internet electronic mail address (if applicable).
     For mail registration, the address is: AFYA, Incorporated, 
6930 Carroll Avenue, Suite 820, Takoma Park, Maryland 20912, Attention: 
Cathy Freeland.
     For fax registration, the number is (301) 270-3441.

AFYA, Inc. will provide all registrations with a confirmation packet 
and background papers before the meeting.
    Participants who wish to display an exhibit or make a presentation 
at the meeting, must contact Maria Ellis at (410) 786-0309 or via E-
Mail at [email protected] or Mitchell I. Burken, M.D. at (410) 786-6881 
or via E-Mail at [email protected] no later than December 30, 1998.
    We will accept written questions, comments, or other materials, 
either before the meeting, or up to 14 days after the meeting. Address 
comments to: Health Care Financing Administration, ATTN: Mitchell I. 
Burken, M.D., Office of Clinical Standards and Quality/CAG, Room S3-02-
01,7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850, Telephone 
Number: (410) 786-6861, Fax Number: (410) 786-0169; E-Mail: 
[email protected].
    There is no special format for the materials; however, we request 
that commenters be clear about the issue or aspect of the proposed 
process on which they have a question, comment, or suggestion.

    Authority: Secs. 1102 and 1871 of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 1302 and 1395hh).

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 98.773, 
Medicate--Hospital Insurance; and Program No. 93.774, Medicate--
Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)

    Dated: December 18, 1998.
Nancy-Ann Min DeParle,
Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.
[FR Doc. 98-34739 Filed 12-31-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-M