[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 149 (Thursday, August 2, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 40289]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-19328]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-1196-N]
RIN 0938-ZA18


Medicare Program: Notice of Practicing Physicians Advisory 
Council Rechartering and Request for Nominations

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with section 10(a) of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. 2), this notice announces that the 
Practicing Physicians Advisory Council (the Council) has been 
rechartered for a 2-year period, through June 12, 2003. This notice 
also invites all organizations representing physicians to submit 
nominees for membership on the Council. There are currently three 
vacancies on the Council.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Nominations will be considered if we receive them at 
the appropriate address, provided below, no later than 5 p.m., E.S.T., 
on August 13, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver nominations to the following address: 
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Center for Medicare 
Management, Office of Professional Relations, Attention: Paul Rudolf, 
MD, JD, Executive Director, Practicing Physicians Advisory Council, 
Room 435H, Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, SW, 
Washington, DC 20201

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Rudolf, MD, JD, Executive 
Director, Practicing Physicians Advisory Council, (202) 690-7418.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 4112 of the Omnibus Budget 
Reconciliation Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-508) added a new section 
1868 to the Social Security Act (the Act), which established the 
Practicing Physicians Advisory Council (the Council). The Council 
advises the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services 
(the Secretary) on proposed regulations and manual issuances related to 
physicians' services. An advisory committee created by the Congress, 
such as this one, is subject to the provisions of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. 2).
    Section 1868(a) of the Act requires that the Council consist of 15 
physicians, each of whom must have submitted at least 250 claims for 
physicians' services under Medicare in the previous year. At least 11 
Council members must be physicians as defined in section 1861(r)(1) of 
the Act; that is, State-licensed physicians of medicine or osteopathy. 
The other four Council members may include dentists, podiatrists, 
optometrists, and chiropractors.
    The Council must include both participating and nonparticipating 
physicians, as well as physicians practicing in rural and underserved 
urban areas. In addition, section 1868(a) of the Act provides that 
nominations to the Secretary for Council membership must be made by 
medical organizations representing physicians.
    This notice is an invitation to all organizations representing 
physicians to submit nominees for membership on the Council. Current 
members whose terms expired on February 28, 2001 will be considered for 
reappointment, if renominated, subject to the Department's 
administrative guidelines for advisory committee management. Candidates 
nominated in December 2000 are still being considered for the vacant 
Council seats. With the changes in Administration and the government-
wide freeze on new appointments it has been necessary to extend and 
reopen the nomination process to identify additional candidates for 
seats on the Council. Therefore, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid 
Services will be accepting additional nominees to the Council if they 
are received by the close of business August 13, 2001. The Secretary 
will appoint new members to the Council from among those candidates 
determined to have the expertise required to meet specific agency needs 
and in a manner to ensure appropriate balance of membership.
    Each nomination must state that the nominee has expressed a 
willingness to serve as a Council member and must be accompanied by a 
short resume or description of the nominee's experience. To permit an 
evaluation of possible sources of conflict of interest, potential 
candidates will be asked to provide detailed information concerning 
financial holdings, consultant positions, research grants, and 
contracts.
    Section 1868(b) of the Act provides that the Council meet once each 
calendar quarter, as requested by the Secretary, to discuss proposed 
changes in regulations and manual issuances that relate to physicians' 
services. Council members are expected to participate in all meetings. 
Section 1868(c) of the Act provides for payment of expenses and a per 
diem allowance for Council members at a rate equal to payment provided 
members of other advisory committees. In addition to making these 
payments, the Department of Health and Human Services provides 
management and support services to the Council.

    Authority: (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)).

    Dated: July 30, 2001.
Thomas A. Scully,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 01-19328 Filed 8-1-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P