[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 124 (Friday, June 27, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38345-38346]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-16055]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-1257-N]


Medicare Program: Notice of the Practicing Physicians Advisory 
Council Rechartering

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the rechartering of Practicing 
Physicians Advisory Council (the Council). In accordance with the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. 2), this notice announces 
that as of June 12, 2003 the Practicing Physicians Advisory Council 
(the Council) has been rechartered for a 2-year period, through June 
12, 2005. The charter will terminate on June 12, 2005, unless the 
Council is rechartered by the Secretary.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diana Motsiopoulos, Administrative 
Coordinator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 Security 
Blvd., Mail Stop: C4-11-27, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850. Telephone 410-
786-3379, fax (410) 786-1710, E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (the 
Secretary) is mandated by section 1868(a) 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. To the extent feasible and consistent with 
statutory deadlines, the consultation must occur before the publication 
of the proposed changes. The Council submits its recommendations in an 
annual report to the Secretary and the Administrator of the Centers for 
Medicare & Medicaid Services no later than December 31 of each year.
    The Council consists of 15 physicians, each of whom has submitted 
at least 250 claims for physician services under Medicare in the 
previous year. At least 11 members of the Council must be physicians as 
described in Section 1861(r)(1) of the Act; that is, State-licensed 
doctors of medicine or osteopathy. The other 4 Council members may 
include dentists, podiatrists, optometrists and chiropractors. The 
Council includes both participating and nonparticipating physicians, as 
well as physicians practicing in rural and underserved urban areas. 
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.

I. Provisions of This Notice

    This notice announces the signing of the Practicing Physicians 
Advisory Council (PPAC) charter (recharter) by the Secretary. The 
charter will terminate on June 12, 2005, unless rechartered before the 
expiration date.

[[Page 38346]]

II. Copies of the Charter

    You may obtain a copy of the charter for the PPAC by submitting a 
request to Diana Motsiopoulos, Administrative Coordinator, Centers for 
Medicare & Medicaid, 7500 Security Blvd., Mail Stop: C4-11-27, 
Baltimore, MD 21244-1850, (410) 786-3379 or E-mail the request to 
[email protected]. A copy of the charter will also be available 
on the Internet at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/faca/ppac/default.asp.

    Authority: Section 1868 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
1395ee) and (5 U.S.C. App. 2)

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

    Dated: June 11, 2003.
Thomas A. Scully,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 03-16055 Filed 6-26-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P