[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 48 (Friday, March 10, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13012-13013]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-5863]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration

[HCFA-1130-N]


Medicare Program; March 27, 2000, 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 March 27, 2000, from 8 a.m. until 5 
p.m., e.s.t.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the Multipurpose Room 800, 
Penthouse, Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20201.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Rudolf, M.D., J.D., 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. Please refer to the HCFA Advisory 
Committees Information Line (1-877-449-5659 toll free)/(410-786-9379 
local) or the Internet (http://www.hcfa.gov/fac) for additional 
information and updates on committee activities.

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.(pending re-
appointment); 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.; a new chair is to be appointed.
    New Council members and a new Chairperson will be sworn in during 
the meeting (schedule to be determined). A brief introduction and 
training program to familiarize the new members with their 
responsibilities and expectations as Council members will be conducted 
starting at 8 a.m. and ending at 10 a.m.
    Following this orientation session, the agenda will provide for 
discussion and comment on the following topics:
     Collection of outpatient encounter data for risk 
adjustment in Medicare+Choice;

-- Implementation issues for physicians; and

-- Educating physicians on data collection requirements;

     Changing roles of Carrier Advisory Committees:
    Issues concerning education of physicians;
     The design of Advance Beneficiary Notices; and
     Practicing physicians' issues concerning the Medicare 
Provider Enrollment Form.
    For additional information and clarification on the topics listed, 
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, March 13, 
2000, 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 presenter's oral remarks should be 
submitted to the Executive Director no later than 12 noon, March 20, 
2000, 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

[[Page 13013]]

to the public, but attendance is limited to the space available. 
Individuals requiring sign language interpretation for the hearing 
impaired or other special accommodation should contact John Lanigan at 
(202) 690-7418 at least 10 days before the meeting.

(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 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: March 6, 2000.
Nancy-Ann Min DeParle,
Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.
[FR Doc. 00-5863 Filed 3-9-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P