[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 249 (Friday, December 27, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 79109]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-32653]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-3104-N]


Medicare Program; Renewal and Amendment of the Charter of the 
Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee (MCAC)

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the renewal and amendment of the Charter 
of the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee (the Committee). The 
Committee advises the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human 
Services (the Secretary) and the Administrator of the Centers for 
Medicare & Medicaid Services on whether adequate evidence exists to 
determine whether specific medical items and services are reasonable 
and necessary under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Atkinson, Office of Clinical 
Standards and Quality, CMS, 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop C1-09-
06, Baltimore, MD 21244, (410) 786-2881, or e-mail 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    On December 14, 1998, we published a notice in the Federal Register 
(63 FR 68780) announcing establishment of the Medicare Coverage 
Advisory Committee (MCAC). The Secretary signed the initial charter for 
the MCAC on November 24, 1998.
    The MCAC, chartered under 42 U.S.C. 217(a), section 222 of the 
Public Health Service Act, as amended, is governed by the provisions of 
the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (Pub. L. 92-463 as amended (5 
U.S.C. Appendix 2)), which sets forth standards for the formulation and 
use of advisory committees.
    The Committee consists of a maximum of 100 appointed members from 
authorities in clinical and administrative medicine, biologic and 
physical sciences, public health administration, health care data and 
information management and analysis, the economics of health care, 
medical ethics, and other related professions. Each Committee meeting 
will deal with one or more specific clinical topics, and will generally 
include 13 to 15 Committee members. A roster will be developed and 
published in advance for each Committee meeting. Members will be chosen 
to serve on the roster for each Committee meeting as to their expertise 
and topic to be discussed.
    The Committee reviews and evaluates medical literature, reviews 
technical assessments, and examines data and information on the 
effectiveness and appropriateness of medical items and services that 
are covered or eligible for coverage under Medicare. The Committee 
works from an agenda provided by the Designated Federal Official that 
lists specific issues, and develops technical advice in order to assist 
us in determining reasonable and necessary applications of medical 
services and technology.

II. Provision of This Notice

    This notice announces the signing of the MCAC Charter Amendment on 
October 30, 2002 and the renewal by the Secretary on November 22, 2002. 
The Charter will terminate on November 22, 2004, unless renewed by the 
Secretary.

III. Copies of the Charter

    You may obtain a copy of the Secretary's Charter for the MCAC by 
submitting a request to Maria Ellis, Office of Clinical Standards and 
Quality, CMS, 7500 Security Blvd., Mail Stop S3-02-01, Baltimore, MD 
21244, 410-786-0309, or e-mail the request to [email protected].

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. App. 2, section 10(a)(1) and (a)(2).

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.774, 
Medicare--Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)
    Dated: December 17, 2002.
Robert A. Streimer,
Acting Director, Office of Clinical Standards and , Quality, Centers 
for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 02-32653 Filed 12-26-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P