[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 93 (Friday, May 14, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26426-26427]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-12235]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration
[HCFA-1072-N]


Medicare Program; June 14, 1999, Meeting of the Practicing 
Physicians Advisory Council

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

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with section 10(a) of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act, this notice announces a meeting of the Practicing 
Physicians Advisory Council. This meeting is open to the public.

DATES: The meeting is scheduled for June 14, 1999, from 8:30 a.m. until 
5 p.m., e.s.t.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the Multipurpose Room/
Auditorium, 1st Floor, Health Care Financing Administration Building, 
7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244.

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, 
D.C. 20201, (202) 690-7874. News media representatives should contact 
the HCFA Press Office, (202) 690-6145.

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 the Health Care Financing Administration not 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, and 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 Council held its first meeting on May 11, 1992.
    The current members are--Jerold M. Aronson, M.D.; Richard Bronfman, 
D.P.M.; Wayne R. Carlsen, D.O.; Mary T. Herald, M.D.; Sandral Hullett, 
M.D.; Stephen A. Imbeau, M.D.; Jerilynn S. Kaibel, D.C.; Marie G. 
Kuffner, M.D.; Derrick K. Latos, M.D.; Dale Lervick, O.D.; Sandra B. 
Reed, M.D.; Susan Schooley, M.D.; Maisie Tam, M.D.; Victor Vela, M.D.; 
and Kenneth M. Viste, Jr., M.D. The Council chairperson is Marie G. 
Kuffner, M.D.
    Council members will be updated on the following subjects--The 
acquisition of Provider Identification Numbers; Quality Improvement 
Activities as they relate to the Peer Review Organization Sixth Scope 
of Work; Managed Care Provider Protections under Medicare+Choice; 
Negotiated Rulemaking for Laboratories, and items and recommendations 
made at previous meetings.
    The agenda will provide for discussion and comment on the following 
topics:

     Doctors' Readiness for Y2K.
    (How can HCFA reach and encourage practicing physicians to test 
their systems and equipment to be sure of their Y2K readiness?)
     HCFA's New Coverage Process.
     Requirements for Lead Screening.

    Individual physicians or medical organizations that represent 
physicians that wish to make 5-minute oral presentations on the agenda 
issues should contact the Executive Director by 12 noon, May 21, 1999, 
to be scheduled. The number of oral presentations may be limited by the 
time available. A written copy of the presenter's oral remarks should 
be submitted to the Executive Director no later than 12 noon, May 28, 
1999, for distribution to Council members for review prior to the 
meeting. Physicians and organizations not scheduled to speak may also 
submit

[[Page 26427]]

written comments to the Executive Director and Council members. The 
meeting is open to the public, but attendance is limited to the space 
available.

(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 C.F.R. 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: May 10, 1999.
Nancy-Ann Min DeParle,
Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.
[FR Doc. 99-12235 Filed 5-13-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-U