[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 164 (Friday, August 23, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54660-54661]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-21371]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-1216-N]


Medicare Program; September 23 and 24, 2002, Meeting of the 
Practicing Physicians Advisory Council and Request for Nominations

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with section 10(a) of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act, this notice announces a meeting of the Practicing 
Physicians Advisory Council and invites all organizations representing 
physicians to submit nominees for membership on the Council. There will 
be several vacancies on the Council as of February 28, 2003. The 
meetings are open to the public.
    Meeting Registration: Persons wishing to attend this meeting must 
contact the meeting coordinator Diana Motsiopoulos at 
[email protected] or (410) 786-3379 at least 72 hours in 
advance to register. Persons who are not registered in advance will not 
be permitted into the CMS Headquarters and thus will not be able 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.

DATES: The meeting is scheduled for September 23, 2002 from 8:30 a.m. 
until 5 p.m. e.s.t. and September 24, 2002 from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. 
e.s.t.
    Nominations: Nominations will be considered if receive at the 
appropriate address, provided below no later than 5 p.m. e.s.t., 
September 30, 2002.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at CMS Headquarters' Multipurpose 
Room, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21224-1750.
    Nominations: Mail or deliver nominations to the following address: 
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Center for Medicare 
Management, Office of Professional Relations, Attention: Paul Rudolf, 
M.D. J.D., Executive Director, Practicing Physicians Advisory Council, 
7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop C4-10-07, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.
    Website: You may access the Internet at http://www.hcfa.gov/medicare/ppacsite.htm for additional information and updates on 
committee activities.
    Advisory Committees Information Line: (1-877-449-5659 toll free)/
(410-786-9379 local).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Rudolf, M.D., J.D., Executive 
Director, Practicing Physicians Advisory Council, 7500 Security 
Boulevard., Mail Stop C4-10-07, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850, (410) 786-
3379. News media representatives should contact the CMS Press Office, 
(202) 690-6145.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Secretary of the Department of Health 
and Human Services (the Secretary) is mandated by section 1868 of the 
Social Security Act (the 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 Centers 
for

[[Page 54661]]

Medicare & Medicaid Services 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 of the members of the Council 
shall be physicians described in section 1861(r)(1) of the Act. The 
remaining 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 before 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 
Castellanos, 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.; Angelyn L. Moultrie-Lizana, D.O.; Barbara McAneny, M.D.; 
Michael T. Rapp, M.D. (Chairman); Amilu Rothhammer, M.D.; Victor Vela, 
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 following topics:
     Physician's Regulatory Issues Team (PRIT) update.
     Update on the Physician Fee Schedule.
     Beneficiary access.
     Funding for provider education.
     Medicaid access provision.
     Evaluation and management guidelines.
     Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
     Local medical review policy-variation.
     Self-administered drug policy.
     Preventative services.
    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, 
Friday, September 13, 2002, to be scheduled. Testimony is limited to 
agenda topics. 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 meeting coordinator at [email protected] no 
later than 12 noon, September 13, 2002, for distribution to Council 
members for review before 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 Diana Motsiopoulos at 
[email protected] or (410) 786-3379 at least 10 days before the 
meeting.
    This notice also serves as an invitation to all organizations 
representing physicians to submit nominees for membership on the 
Council. 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 conflicts 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 
quarterly, 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/Centers for 
Medicare & Medicaid Services provides management and support services 
to the Council. 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.

(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: August 16, 2002.
Thomas A. Scully,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 02-21371 Filed 8-22-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P