[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 226 (Friday, November 22, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70444-70445]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-29362]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-1217-N]


Medicare Program; December 16, 2002, Meeting of the Practicing 
Physicians Advisory Council

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

ACTION: Notice.

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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 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. This meeting is 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

[[Page 70445]]

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 Monday, December 16, 2002 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.
    Website: You may access the Internet at http://cms.hhs.gov/faca/ppac/default.asp for additional information and updates on committee 
activities.
    CMS 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 shall 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 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 are invited to serve for overlapping 4-year 
terms contingent upon the renewal of the Council's term. Section 14 of 
the Federal Advisory Committee Act requires that the 2-year term of 
advisory committees, such as the Council, be renewed by appropriate 
action prior to its termination. Section 1868(a) of the Act provides 
that appointments for Council membership shall be based upon 
nominations to the Secretary 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. 
The agenda will provide for discussion and comment on the following 
topics:
    [sbull] Program Integrity Customer Service Initiative.
    [sbull] Is Immunoassay Fecal Occult Blood Testing an appropriate 
substitution for Guiac Fecal Occult Blood Testing in the screening for 
Colon and Rectal Cancer?
    [sbull] Educational preparation for February PPAC meeting regarding 
Physician Fee Schedule.
    [sbull] Physicians Regulatory Issues Team Update.
    [sbull] Doctor's Office Quality Project: A Physician Level 
Measurement and Improvement Initiative.
    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, 
December 6, 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, December 6, 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.

(Sec. 1868 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ee) and sec. 
10(a) of Pub. L. 92-463 (5 U.S.C. App. 2, sect. 10(a)).

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.773, 
Medicare--Hospital Insurance; and Program No. 93.774, Medicare--
Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)

    Dated: November 12, 2002.
Thomas A. Scully,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 02-29362 Filed 11-21-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P