[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 209 (Friday, October 29, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 58419]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-28400]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration
[HCFA-3026-N]


Medicare Program; Open Town Hall Meeting To Discuss Transplant 
Center Criteria

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

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces a meeting to convene all parties 
interested in providing input to our Medicare coverage policy 
pertaining to criteria for approving organ transplant facilities. This 
meeting represents one aspect of the evolving process for making the 
coverage reviews more open and responsive to the public.

DATES: The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 1, 1999 from 
8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., eastern standard time.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the Health Care Financing 
Administration Main Auditorium, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, 
Maryland 21244.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jacqueline Sheridan, (410) 786-4635.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Medicare currently covers heart, liver, and lung transplants only 
in facilities that meet the following specified criteria, which are 
similar for the three organ types: Patient selection criteria, patient 
management protocols, commitment of resources and planning, facility 
resources, experience and survival, agreement to maintain data, 
agreement with organ procurement organizations, and laboratory 
services. (We published three notices in the Federal Register related 
to our criteria for Medicare coverage of heart, liver, and lung 
transplants, respectively, as follows: April 6, 1987 (52 FR 10935); 
April 12, 1991 (56 FR 15006); and February 2, 1995 (60 FR 6537).) These 
criteria have been in place for many years and need to be reevaluated 
because of advancements in the area of organ transplants.
    The purpose of the Town Hall meeting is to convene dialogue on 
criteria for Medicare coverage of facilities to perform organ 
transplants, including the possibility of additional rulemaking. 
Discussion of other controversial transplant-related issues, such as 
organ allocation policies, organ donation policies, or standards for 
organ procurement organizations, will not be permitted at this meeting 
due to time constraints. We anticipate attendance by national 
professional medical organizations; staff of hospitals that currently 
perform transplants; experts in technology assessment, health policy, 
and clinical research; other Federal agencies; managed care 
organizations; transplant recipients and their families; and other 
members of the public with an interest in transplants.
    The format for the meeting will be four subject-related panel 
presentations followed by an opportunity for comments from the 
audience. The panel topics will include (1) aspects of center 
performance that should be considered in determining coverage; (2) 
methodology for outcome measures; (3) data; and (4) target thresholds. 
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 consensus statements or a set of advisory 
recommendations.
    The meeting is open to the public, but attendance is limited to 
space available. We encourage individuals to register early to secure 
availability and allow time for receipt of background materials. 
Individuals must register in advance as described below.

Registration

    Casals and Associates, Incorporated in Alexandria, Virginia will 
handle registration for the meeting. Individuals may register by 
contacting Alison Holder at Casals and Associates, Incorporated by FAX 
at (703) 920-5750, or by mail at Casals and Associates, Incorporated, 
1199 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314. Registrants must 
provide their name, title, firm name, address, telephone number, FAX 
number, and Internet electronic mail address (if applicable).
    Casals and Associates, Incorporated will provide all registrants 
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 Connie Conrad at (410) 786-4631 or via e-
mail at [email protected], or Jacqueline Sheridan at (410) 786-4635 or 
via e-mail at [email protected], no later than November 15, 1999.
    We will accept written questions, comments, or other materials from 
individuals or individual organizations either before the meeting, or 
up to 14 days after the meeting. Individuals who wish to submit 
comments must do so by mail to the Health Care Financing 
Administration, Attention: Jacqueline Sheridan, Office of Clinical 
Standards and Quality/CAG, Room S3-02-01, 7500 Security Boulevard, 
Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850; or by FAX at (410) 786-9286; or by e-
mail at [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.
    Individuals may access information regarding the agenda and 
schedule of presentations on our home page (www.hcfa.gov/quality/
8b.htm).

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

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.773, 
Medicare--Hospital Insurance; and Program No.93.774, Medicare--
Supplementary Medical Insurance)

    Dated: October 13, 1999.
Michael M. Hash,
Deputy Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.
[FR Doc. 99-28400 Filed 10-28-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P