[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 47 (Friday, March 9, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14157-14158]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-6061]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration

[HCFA-1188-N]


Medicare Program; March 26, 2001, 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 26, 2001, from 8:30 a.m. 
until 5 p.m. e.s.t.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in Room 800, 8th Floor, 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,

[[Page 14158]]

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 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 or 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.; Joseph Heyman, M.D.; Sandral Hullett, M.D.; Stephen A. Imbeau, 
M.D.; Angelyn L. Moultrie, D.O.; Derrick K. Latos, M.D. (Pending re-
appointment); Dale Lervick, O.D.; Sandra B. Reed, M.D.; Amilu 
Rothhammer, M.D.; Victor Vela, M.D.; Kenneth M. Viste, Jr., M.D.; and 
Douglas L. Wood, M.D.
    Council members will be updated on the status of recommendations 
made during the past year.
    The agenda will provide for discussion and comment on the listed 
following topics:
     Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 (BIPA) 
provisions affecting payment to physicians.
     Risk adjustment update, and the uses of encounter data by 
physicians.
     Physician Regulatory Issues Team (the team will seek 
advice on physician issues and elicit suggestions for improving agency 
responsiveness).
    For additional information and clarification on the topics listed, 
call the contact person in the ``For Further Information Contact'' 
section of this notice.
    Individual physicians or medical organizations that represent 
physicians wishing to make 5-minute oral presentations on agenda issues 
should contact the Executive Director by 12 noon, March 19, 2001, to be 
scheduled. Presentations are 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 19, 2001, 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 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 7, 2001.
Michael McMullan,
Acting Deputy Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.
[FR Doc. 01-6061 Filed 3-8-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P