[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 131 (Friday, July 7, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 42022]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-17136]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration

[HCFA-1140-N]


Medicare Program; Question and Answer Session on July 24, 2000 To 
Discuss Remaining Concerns About the Implementation of the Hospital 
Outpatient Prospective Payment System (PPS)

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

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces a public meeting to provide an 
opportunity for hospital administrators, hospital industry 
representatives, hospital professionals, community mental health 
centers, home health agencies, comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation 
facilities, beneficiary advocates and other interested parties, to have 
pre-submitted questions and issues answered regarding remaining 
concerns they may have about the August, 2000 implementation of the 
hospital outpatient prospective payment system. Appropriate HCFA staff 
will be present to ensure that those questions and concerns will be 
answered.

DATES: The meeting is scheduled for July 24, 2000 from 9:30 a.m. until 
4 p.m., E.D.T. The morning session (9:30 a.m. until 12) will be for 
hospital providers and the afternoon session (1:30 p.m. until 4 p.m.) 
will be for other providers; that is, community mental health centers 
(CMHCs, home health agencies (HHAs), and comprehensive outpatient 
rehabilitation facilities (CORFs).

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the HCFA Central Office Main 
Auditorium, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Judy Hunt, (410) 786-7874 or Mary 
Loane, (410) 786-1405 (for registration information and pre-submitted 
questions).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On April 7, 2000 a final rule with comment period on the hospital 
outpatient prospective payment system (PPS) was published. This new PPS 
will go into effect for hospital outpatient services designated by the 
Secretary, certain Part B services furnished to hospital inpatients who 
have no Part A coverage, and partial hospitalization services furnished 
by community mental health centers. This outpatient PPS was enacted as 
part of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. This meeting will provide a 
forum, for outpatient facilities, to receive answers to their pre-
submitted questions and issues concerning the August, 2000, 
implementation of hospital outpatient PPS.
    The format of the meeting will be a question and answer session. 
Appropriate HCFA staff will be present to ensure that questions and 
concerns will be answered.
    During this session, major provider organizations are invited to 
give a brief pre-scheduled statement on the coming implementation of 
the outpatient PPS. Those organizations wishing to take advantage of 
this opportunity should submit their statement in writing to HCFA not 
less than 3 working days prior to this meeting and make copies 
available to attendees on the day of the conference.
    While the meeting is open to the public, attendance is limited to 
space available. Individuals must register in advance as described 
below.

Registration

    Individuals may register by following the directions soon to be 
posted on the HCFA website, www.hcfa.gov. Once individuals are on this 
website, they will need to highlight the red bullet, in the lower right 
hand corner, titled ``Events, Meetings, and Workgroups.'' Individuals 
should also submit questions they would like to have answered, no later 
than July 14, 2000, by following the directions soon to be posted on 
the same HCFA website, www.hcfa.gov. The registration site will link 
you to the site for submission of questions.
    Each participant will be provided with a meeting agenda at the time 
of the meeting.
    If individuals have questions regarding registration; would like to 
register by phone; or would like to submit questions regarding hospital 
outpatient PPS issue, they should contact Judy Hunt (410) 786-7874 or 
Mary Loane (410) 786-1405.

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

    Dated: June 30, 2000.
Nancy-Ann Min DeParle,
Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.
[FR Doc. 00-17136 Filed 7-6-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P