[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 81 (Friday, April 26, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20803-20804]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-10203]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-1215-N]


Medicare Program; June 3, 2002, Meeting of the Practicing 
Physicians Advisory Council

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), 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 (the Council). The Council will be meeting 
to discuss certain proposed changes in regulations and carrier manual 
instructions related to physicians' services, as identified by the 
Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (the 
Secretary). These meetings are open to the public.

DATES: The meeting is scheduled for June 3, 2002, from 8:30 a.m. until 
5 p.m. e.s.t.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the Multipurpose Room, at CMS 
Headquarters, 7500 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.

Meeting Registration: Persons wishing to attend this meeting must 
contact Diana Motsiopoulos, The Council Administrative Coordinator, at 
[email protected] or (410) 786-3379, at least 72 hours in 
advance to register. Persons not registered in advance will not be 
permitted into the building and will not be permitted to attend the 
meeting. Persons attending the meeting will be required to show a 
photographic identification, preferably a valid driver's license, 
before entering the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Rudolf, M.D., J.D., Executive 
Director, Practicing Physicians Advisory Council, 7500 Security Blvd., 
Mail Stop C5-17-14, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850, 410-786-3379. News media 
representatives should contact the CMS Press Office, (202) 690-6145. 
Please refer to the CMS Advisory Committees Information Line (1-877-
449-5659 toll free)/(410-786-9379 local) or the Internet at http://www.hcfa.gov/medicare/ppacsite.htm for additional information and 
updates on committee activities.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Secretary is mandated by section 1868 of the Social Security 
Act (the Act) to appoint a Practicing Physicians Advisory 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 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services not later 
than December 31 of each year.
    The Council consists of fifteen physicians, each of whom must have 
submitted at least two hundred fifty claims for physicians' services 
under Title XVIII in the previous year. Members shall include both 
participating and nonparticipating physicians and physicians practicing 
in rural and underserved urban areas. At least eleven members of the 
Council shall be physicians as described in section 1861(r)(1) of the 
Act (that is, M.D.s or D.O.s). The remaining four members may include 
dentists, podiatrists, optometrists, and chiropractors. Members serve 
for overlapping 4-year terms; terms of more than 2 years are contingent 
upon the renewal of the Council by appropriate action prior to its 
termination. Section 1868(a) of the Act provides that nominations to 
the Secretary for Council membership must be made by medical 
organizations representing physicians.
    The Council held its first meeting on May 11, 1992. The current 
members are: James Bergeron, M.D.; Richard Bronfman, D.P.M.; Ronald 
Castallanos, M.D.; Rebecca Gaughan, M.D.; Joseph Heyman, M.D.; Stephen 
A. Imbeau, M.D.; Joe Johnson, D.O.; Christopher Leggett, M.D.; Dale 
Lervick, O.D.; Barbara McAneny, M.D.; Angelyn L.

[[Page 20804]]

Moultrie-Lizana, D.O.; Michael T. Rapp, M.D.; Amilu Rothhammer, M.D.; 
Victor Vela, M.D.; and Douglas L. Wood, M.D.
    The meeting will commence with a Council update on the status of 
prior recommendations, followed by discussion and comment on the 
following agenda topics:

 Physician's Regulatory Issues Team (PRIT) update
 Medicaid Overview
 Evaluation and Management Guidelines
 Update Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act 
(HIPAA) Privacy Rule
 Claims Processing
 Beneficiary Access
 Physician Fee Schedule

    For additional information and clarification on these topics, 
contact the Executive Director, listed under the For Further 
Information Contact section of this notice. Individual physicians or 
medical organizations that represent physicians wishing to make a 5-
minute oral presentation on agenda issues should contact the Executive 
Director by 12 noon, May 24, 2002, to be scheduled. Testimony is 
limited to agenda topics only. The number of oral presentations may be 
limited by the time available. A written copy of the presenter's oral 
remarks must be submitted to Diana Motsiopoulos, Administrative 
Coordinator no later than 12 noon, May 24, 2002, for distribution to 
Council members for review prior to the meeting. Physicians and medical 
organizations not scheduled to speak may also submit written comments 
to the Administrative Coordinator for distribution. 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 Diana 
Motsiopoulos at [email protected] or (410) 786-3379 at least 10 
days before the meeting.

    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: April 17, 2002.
Thomas A. Scully,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 02-10203 Filed 4-25-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P