[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 40 (Tuesday, February 29, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 10812]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-4670]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration

[HCFA-1127-N]


Medicare Program; Open Public Meeting on March 15, 2000 To 
Provide an Overview of Data Requirements for Collection of Physician 
and Hospital Outpatient Encounter Data From Medicare+Choice 
Organizations for Risk Adjustment

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

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces a public meeting to provide 
Medicare+Choice organizations, providers, practitioners, and other 
interested parties an overview of data requirements for physician and 
hospital outpatient encounter data. The meeting will address the 
following topics:
     Basic data requirements for physician encounter data.
     Basic data requirements for hospital outpatient encounter 
data.
     Update on training and customer support services.

DATES: The meeting is scheduled for March 15, 2000 from 9 a.m. until 4 
p.m., e.s.t.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the HCFA Auditorium, 7500 
Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland, 21244-1850.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ann Barcome, (301) 519-6700, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (BBA) (Pub. L. 105-33) established 
the Medicare+Choice program. Under the BBA, HCFA must implement a risk 
adjustment methodology that accounts for variations in per capita costs 
based on health status and other demographic factors for payment to 
Medicare+Choice organizations (M+COs). Risk adjustment implementation 
must start no later than January 1, 2000.
    The BBA also gives HCFA the authority to collect inpatient hospital 
data for discharges on or after July 1, 1997, and additional data for 
services occurring on or after July 1, 1998. The schedule for physician 
and hospital outpatient encounter data submission is as follows:
     October 1, 2000: Submission of physician data begins.
     January 1, 2001: Submission of hospital outpatient data 
begins with dates of services retroactive to October 1, 2000.
    This notice announces a public meeting to provide an opportunity 
for M+COs, providers, practitioners, and other interested parties to 
obtain basic information on the data requirements for the collection of 
physician and hospital outpatient encounter data. HCFA intends to 
provide additional information on our data collection efforts, systems 
processes, training approach, and customer services. HCFA will also 
follow-up this meeting with intensive training in the areas of 
physician and hospital outpatient encounter data that will occur in 
June and September, respectively.
    HCFA is announcing this public meeting to provide an overview of 
physician and hospital outpatient data and to allow for individuals and 
organizations familiar with issues related to physician and hospital 
outpatient data collection to raise questions that can be answered in 
subsequent training. The agenda will include short presentations by 
HCFA staff and Aspen Systems Corporation, the encounter data training 
contractor, on related topics and will conclude with a question-and-
answer session.

Registration

    Registration for this public meeting is required and will be on a 
first-come, first-serve basis, limited to two attendees per 
organization. A waiting list will be available for additional requests. 
Registration will be done via the Internet at www.hcfa.gov/events or by 
paper forms available at the aforementioned Internet address. A 
confirmation notice will be sent to attendees upon finalization of 
registration.
    Attendees will be provided with meeting materials at the time of 
the meeting. We will accept written questions or requests for meeting 
materials either before the meeting or up to 14 days after the meeting. 
Written submissions must be sent to: Aspen Systems Corporation, ATTN: 
Ann Barcome, 2277 Research Boulvevard, Rockville, Maryland 20850. You 
may contact Ann Barcome at: Telephone Number: (301) 519-6700, Fax 
Number: (301) 519-6360, E-mail: [email protected].

(Authority: Sections 1851 through 1859 of the Social Security Act 
(42 U.S.C. 1395w-21 through 1395w-28))

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

    Dated: February 18, 2000.
Nancy-Ann Min DeParle,
Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.
[FR Doc. 00-4670 Filed 2-28-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P