[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 163 (Friday, August 22, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50794-50795]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-21442]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-1236-N]


Medicare Program; September 15 and 16, 2003, 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 (the 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, 2004. 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.
    Meeting Registration: Persons wishing to attend this meeting must 
register for the meeting at least 72 hours in advance by contacting one 
of the Designated Federal Officials (DFO): Diana Motsiopoulos, by e-
mail at [email protected], or by telephone at (410) 786-3379; 
or Keri Boston, by e-mail at [email protected], or by telephone at 
410-786-6631. Persons who are not registered in advance will not be 
permitted into the Humphrey Building, 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 15, 2003 from 8:30 a.m. 
until 5 p.m. e.d.t. and September 16, 2003 from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. 
e.d.t.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in Room 800, at the Hubert H. 
Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20201.
    Nominations: Nominations will be considered if received at the 
appropriate address, no later than 5 p.m. e.d.t., September 30, 2003. 
Mail or deliver nominations to the following address: Centers for 
Medicare & Medicaid Services, Center for Medicare Management, Division 
of Provider Relations and Evaluations, Attention: Diana Motsiopoulos, 
Designated Federal Official, Practicing Physicians Advisory Council, 
7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop C4-11-27, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth Simon, M.D., Executive 
Director, Practicing Physicians Advisory Council, 7500 Security 
Boulevard, Mail Stop C4-10-07, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850, (410) 786-
3379. 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.cms.hhs.gov/faca/ppac/default.asp for additional information and 
updates on committee activities. 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 50795]]

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 members of the Council must be 
physicians described in section 1861(r)(1) of the Act; that is, State-
licensed doctors of medicine or osteopathy. The remaining 4 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.; Ronald Castallanos, M.D.; Rebecca 
Gaughan, M.D.; Carlos R. Hamilton, M.D.; Joseph Heyman, M.D.; Dennis K. 
Iglar, M.D.; Christopher Leggett, M.D.; Joe Johnson, D.O.; Barbara 
McAneny, M.D.; Angelyn L. Moultrie-Lizana, D.O.; Laura B. Powers, M.D.; 
Michael T. Rapp, M.D.; Amilu Rothhammer, M.D.; Robert L. Urata, 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:
    [sbull] Physician's Regulatory Issues Team (PRIT) update.
    [sbull] Physicians Group Practice Demonstrations and proposals for 
future demonstrations.
    [sbull] Lowering Medicare Costs: Regions or Beneficiaries?
    [sbull] Provider Enrollment.
    [sbull] Authority for Policies on Coverage Procedures and Devices 
Results in Inequities.
    [sbull] Practice Patterns for Physicians.
    [sbull] Doctors' Office Quality Update.
    [sbull] Overview Prescription Drug Benefit.
    [sbull] Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
    [sbull] Limited English Proficiency Requirement.
    [sbull] Revisions to the Average Wholesale Price Methodology 
Regulation.
    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 one of the Designated Federal Officials by 12 noon, 
Friday, September 5, 2003, 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 Diana Motsiopoulos at [email protected] no 
later than 12 noon, September 5, 2003, 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 to discuss certain proposed changes in regulations and manual 
issuances that relate to physicians' services, identified by the 
Secretary. 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 the Council's membership.

    Authority: (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, sects. 
10(a) and 14).

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

    Dated: August 7, 2003.
Thomas A. Scully,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 03-21442 Filed 8-21-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P