[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 163 (Tuesday, August 24, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46205-46206]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-21859]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration
[HCFA-1076-N]


Medicare Program; September 16, 1999, 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 (the CPAC) on September 16, 1999. 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. The BBA requires the Secretary to 
create the CPAC to make recommendations on demonstration area 
designation and appropriate research designs for the project. The CPAC 
meetings are open to the public.

DATES: The CPAC is scheduled to meet on September 16, 1999, from 9 a.m. 
until 4 p.m., e.d.s.t.


[[Page 46206]]


ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Crystal Gateway Marriott, 
1700 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Virginia 22202.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharon Arnold, Ph.D., Executive 
Director, Competitive Pricing Advisory Committee, Health Care Financing 
Administration, 7500 Security Boulevard, C4-14-17, Baltimore, MD 21244-
1850, (410) 786-6451.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Section 4011 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (BBA) (Public Law 
105-33), 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(a) of the BBA requires the Secretary to appoint a 
Competitive Pricing Advisory Committee (the CPAC) to meet periodically 
and make recommendations to the Secretary concerning the designation of 
areas for inclusion in the project and appropriate research designs for 
implementing the project. The CPAC has previously met on May 7, 1998, 
June 24 and 25, 1998, September 23 and 24, 1998, October 28, 1998, 
January 6, 1999, May 13, 1999, and July 22, 1999.
    The CPAC consists of 15 individuals who are independent actuaries, 
experts in competitive pricing and the administration of the Federal 
Employees Health Benefit Program, and representatives of health plans, 
insurers, employers, unions, and beneficiaries. The CPAC members are: 
James Cubbin, Executive Director, General Motors Health Care 
Initiative; Robert Berenson, M.D., Director, Center for Health Plans 
and Providers, Health Care Financing Administration; John Bertko, 
Actuary Principal, Reden & Anders, Ltd.; Dave Durenberger, Vice 
President, Public Policy Partners; Gary Goldstein, M.D., former CEO, 
The Oschner Clinic; Samuel Havens, Healthcare Consultant and Chairman 
of Health Scope/United; Margaret Jordan, President and CEO, The 
Margaret Jordan Group; Chip Kahn, President, The Health Insurance 
Association of America; Cleve Killingsworth, President, Health Alliance 
Plan; Nancy Kichak, Director, Office of Actuaries, Office of Personnel 
Management; Len Nichols, Principal Research Associate, The Urban 
Institute; Robert Reischauer, Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution; 
John Rother, Director, Legislation and Public Policy, American 
Association of Retired Persons; Andrew Stern, President, Service 
Employees International Union, AFL-CIO; and Jay Wolfson, Director, 
Florida Health Information Center, University of South Florida. The 
chairperson of the CPAC is James Cubbin and the co-chairperson is 
Robert Berenson, M.D. In accordance with section 4012(a)(5) of the BBA, 
the CPAC will terminate on December 31, 2004.
    The agenda for the September 16, 1999, meeting will include the 
following:
     A review of the competitive pricing demonstration design.
     A discussion on how to minimize disruption for 
beneficiaries in the demonstration sites.
     A discussion on the process for review of plan bids.
     A revision of the implementation timeline for the Kansas 
City, MO Metropolitan Area and Maricopa County, AZ demonstration sites.
    Individuals or organizations that wish to make 5-minute oral 
presentations on the CPAC agenda issues should contact Sharon Arnold, 
CPAC Executive Director, by 12 noon, September 9, 1999, 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, September 9, 1999. Anyone 
who is not scheduled to speak may submit written comments to the 
Executive Director, by 12 noon, September 13, 1999.
    This meeting is open to the public, but attendance is limited to 
the space available.

(Sec. 4012 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, Pub. L. 105-33 (42 
U.S.C. 1395w-23 note) and sec. 10(a) of Pub. L. 92-463 (5 U.S.C. 
App. 2, sec. 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: August 18, 1999.
Michael M. Hash,
Deputy Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.
[FR Doc. 99-21859 Filed 8-23-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P