[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 172 (Tuesday, September 7, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 48661]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-23121]



[[Page 48661]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration
[HCFA-1078-N]


Medicare Program; September 27 and 28, 1999, Meeting of the 
Practicing Physicians Advisory Council

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 Practicing 
Physicians Advisory Council. This meeting is open to the public.

DATES: The meeting is scheduled for September 27, 1999, from 8:30 a.m. 
until 5 p.m., and September 28, 1999, from 8:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., 
e.d.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 on the 27th and in 
the 1st Floor Media Room on the 28th.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Aron Primack, MD, MA, FACP, 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.

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 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, 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, DC; 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 Managed Care Provider 
Protections under Medicare+Choice, Documentation Guidelines, Program 
Fraud and Abuse, Physicians Regulatory Issues Team (PRIT), and Medicare 
Reform Packet Summary Information.
    The agenda will provide for discussion and comment on the following 
topics:
     Practice Expense and Medicare Fee Schedule Changes for 
2,000
     Rural Health Clinic Issues
     Carrier Advisory Committees and Provider Input
     Nursing Home Quality of Care Initiatives
     Insurance Plan Conflicts Regarding Co-payments
    For additional information and clarification on the aforementioned 
topics call the contact person listed above.
    Individual physicians or medical organizations that represent 
physicians that wish to make 5-minute oral presentations on agenda 
issues should contact the Executive Director by 12 noon, September 8, 
1999, to be scheduled. Testimony is limited to listed agenda issues 
only. 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, September 
15, 1999 for distribution to Council members for review prior to the 
meeting. Physicians and organizations not scheduled to speak may also 
submit 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 Pub. L. 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: August 30, 1999.
Michael M. Hash,
Deputy Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.
[FR Doc. 99-23121 Filed 9-3-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P