[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 146 (Friday, July 28, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46473-46474]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-19158]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration

[HCFA-1144-N]


Medicare Program; Announcement of a Series of Regional Training 
Sessions To Provide Training to Medicare+Choice Organization 
Physicians, Medicare+Choice Organization Non-Physician Practitioners, 
and Medicare+Choice Organization Medicare Directors, As Well As 
Physician Organizations and Billing Associations Involved in the Timely 
and Accurate Submission of Physician Encounter Data To Support a 
Comprehensive Risk Adjustment Model

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

ACTION: Notice of training sessions.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces a series of regional training sessions 
to provide an opportunity for Medicare+Choice Organization (M+CO) 
physicians, M+CO non-physician practitioners, and M+CO medical 
directors, as well as physician organizations, billing associations, 
and other interested parties, to obtain information on the requirements 
placed on M+COs for submission of physician encounter data collection. 
HCFA and the Restuccio Healthcare Group will provide the physician 
encounter data training.

Regional Training Dates & Cities

    The regional training sessions will be held as follows:

            Physician Encounter Data Training Schedule 2000
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                Date                               Location
------------------------------------------------------------------------
August 23, 2000, Palo Alto, CA.....  Hyatt Rickeys, 4219 El Camino Real,
                                      Palo Alto, CA 94306-4493, (650)
                                      493-8000.
August 29, 2000, Philadelphia, PA..  Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the
                                      Bellevue, Broad and Walnuts
                                      Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19102,
                                      (215) 893-1234.

[[Page 46474]]

 
September 7, 2000, Chicago, IL.....  Hyatt Regency Woodfield, 1800 East
                                      Golf Road, Schaumburg, IL 60173,
                                      (847) 605-1234.
September 13, 2000, Tampa, FL......  Hyatt Regency Westshore on Tampa
                                      Bay, 6200 Courtney Campbell
                                      Causeway, Tampa, FL 33607, (813)
                                      874-1234.
September 20, 2000, San Diego, CA..  San Diego Marriott Hotel and
                                      Marina, 333 West Harbor Drive, San
                                      Diego, CA 32101-7700, (619) 234-
                                      1500.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marcy Perkins, Restuccio Healthcare 
Group, Encounter Data Representative, (901) 385-0123 (telephone); (901) 
385-1821 (fax); or e-mail us with your questions at 
[email protected]. Information is also available on our 
homepage at http://www.hcfa.gov/events.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (BBA) (Public Law 105-33) 
established the Medicare+Choice (M+C) program. Under the BBA, we 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 M+C organizations (M+COs). Risk adjustment 
implementation began January 1, 2000.
    The BBA gives us 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. Pending OMB approval, 
M+COs must submit physician encounter data beginning October 1, 2000.
    The agenda for the half-day training sessions will include the 
following topics:
    ; Overview of comprehensive risk adjustment models and 
implementation timeline.
     Review of M+C National Standard Format (M+C NSF).
     Coding tips and resources for obtaining additional coding 
information.
     Data requirements for physician encounter data.
     Question-and-answer period.

Registration

    Registration for these training sessions is required and will be on 
a first-come, first-served basis, limited to two attendees per 
organization. A waiting list will be available for additional requests. 
Registration can be accomplished via the Internet at http://www.hcfa.gov/events or by completing a paper form available at the 
aforementioned Internet address. A confirmation notice will be sent to 
attendees upon finalization of registration.
    Attendees will be provided with training materials at the time of 
the training session. There will be two training sessions per day. The 
morning session will be from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; the afternoon 
session will be from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Individuals can attend only 
one session (either morning or afternoon).

    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; and Program No. 93.774, Medicare--
Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)

    Dated: July 25, 2000.
Nancy-Ann Min DeParle,
Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.
[FR Doc. 00-19158 Filed 7-27-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P