[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 29 (Friday, February 12, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7198-7199]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-3558]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration
[HCFA-1064-N]
RIN 0938-AJ38


Medicare Program; March 15, 1999, Meeting of the Practicing 
Physicians Advisory Council

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

ACTION: Notice of a 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 (the Council) on March 15, 1999. This 
meeting is open to the public.
    The Council is mandated by section 1868 of the Social Security Act 
and meets quarterly to discuss certain proposed changes in regulations 
and carrier manual instructions related to physicians' services.

DATES: The meeting is scheduled for March 15, 1999, from 8:30 a.m. 
until 5 p.m., e.s.t.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in Room 800, 8th Floor, Hubert H. 
Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, D.C. 
20201.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Aron Primack, M.D., M.A., F.A.C.P., 
Executive Director, Practicing Physicians Advisory Council, Room 435-H, 
Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, 
DC, 20201, (202) 690-7874. News media representatives should contact 
the HCFA Press Office (202) 690-6145.


[[Page 7199]]


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 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 
HCFA no 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, as well as 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 current members are: Jerold M. Aronson, M.D.; Richard Bronfman, 
D.P.M. (renominated--pending selection); Wayne R. Carlsen, D.O.; Gary 
C. Dennis, M.D.; Mary T. Herald, M.D.; Ardis D. Hoven, M.D.; Sandral 
Hullett, M.D.; Jerilynn S. Kaibel, D.C.; Marie G. Kuffner, M.D.; Marc 
Lowe, M.D. (renominated--pending selection); Derrick K. Latos, M.D.; 
Sandra B. Reed, 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 vice chairperson is Marie G. Kuffner, M.D.
    The next meeting of the Council is scheduled for March 15, 1999, 
from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., e.s.t. This meeting is open to the public 
and will be held in Room 800, 8th Floor, Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 
200 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington DC, 20201. The meeting is open 
to the public, but attendance is limited to the space available.
    At this meeting the Council members will be updated on the status 
of items discussed at previous meetings. In addition, new members will 
be sworn in to serve on the Council. The agenda will provide for 
discussion and comment on the following topic:
    Physicians Regulatory Issues Team (PRIT) Testimony is requested 
from physicians and medical organizations representing physicians 
regarding the regulatory requirements placed on practicing physicians. 
Testimony should address methods of improving a physician's 
administrative process, while maintaining the integrity of Federal 
administrative systems.
    Individual physicians or medical organizations that represent 
physicians that wish to make 5-minute oral presentations on the agenda 
issue should contact the Executive Director by 12 noon, February 19, 
1999, to be scheduled. The number of oral presentations may be limited 
by the time available. A written copy of the presenters' oral remarks 
should be submitted to the Executive Director no later than 12 noon, 
February 26, 1999, for distribution to the Council members.
    Any interested member of the public may submit written comments to 
the Executive Director and Council members for review. Comments should 
be received by the Executive Director by 12 noon, February 26, 1999, 
for distribution.

(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: February 1, 1999.
Nancy-Ann Min DeParle,
Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.
[FR Doc. 99-3558 Filed 2-11-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P