[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 247 (Wednesday, December 24, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 74622-74623]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-31044]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-1247-N]


Medicare Program; Town Hall Meeting in Calendar Year 2004 for 
Ambulance Condition Codes

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

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces a town hall meeting to provide a forum 
for all interested individuals to discuss and/or submit written 
comments on the establishment and implementation of Ambulance Condition 
Codes. Ambulance Condition Codes would be included in Chapter 15 of the 
CMS Manual System. Development of new ICD-9-CM codes for those 
Ambulance Condition Codes that do not currently have a satisfactory 
corresponding ICD-9-CM code will be a separate process that the 
ambulance industry must address with the National Center for Health 
Statistics (NCHS).

DATES: The town hall meeting announced in this notice will be held on 
Wednesday, February 4, 2004, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., e.s.t.

ADDRESSES: The town hall meeting will be held in the auditorium at the 
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), 7500 Security 
Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anne Tayloe, (410) 786-4546.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    On December 21, 2000, the Congress passed the Medicare, Medicaid, 
and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 (the BIPA) 
(Pub. L. 106-554). Section 1833(h) of the Social Security Act (the Act) 
and section 531(b) of the BIPA mandated procedures that permit public 
consultation on clinical laboratory services and durable medical 
equipment (DME) payment policy issues. We are applying this public 
consultation procedure to ambulance service policy issues for the 
purpose of this town hall meeting. This town hall meeting is intended 
to provide a forum for all interested parties to comment on and discuss 
the Ambulance Condition Codes. The Ambulance Condition Code information 
may be reviewed prior to the public meeting by accessing http://www.cms.hhs.gov/paymentsystems on the Internet. This information will 
be available for review beginning January 5, 2003.

II. Presentations

    Registered persons from the public may discuss and make 
recommendations concerning the Ambulance Condition Codes. Individuals 
who wish to make formal presentations must include that information 
when registering. Presentations must be brief, and three written copies 
must be submitted to accompany the oral presentation. Presenters may 
also make copies available for approximately 50 meeting participants.

III. Registration Instructions

    Beginning January 5, 2004, you may complete your registration on-
line at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/paymentsystems. Please submit the 
following information when registering: name, company name, address, 
telephone number, and e-mail address and an indication of whether you 
wish to make a formal presentation. A confirmation will be sent upon 
receipt of the registration.
    Because this meeting will be located on Federal property, for 
security reasons, any persons wishing to attend this meeting must 
register by close of business on January 23, 2004. In order to gain 
access to the building and grounds, participants must show to the 
Federal Protective Service or Guard Service personnel a government-
issued photo identification and a copy of their registration 
confirmation. Individuals who have not registered in advance will not 
be allowed to enter the building to attend the meeting. Seating 
capacity is limited to the first 250 registrants.
    The on-site check-in for visitors will be held from 9 a.m. until 10 
a.m., followed by opening remarks. Please allow sufficient time to 
arrive to go through the security checkpoints. It is

[[Page 74623]]

suggested that you arrive at 7500 Security Boulevard no later than 8:40 
a.m. so that you will be able to arrive promptly at the meeting by 9 
a.m. All items brought to CMS, whether personal or for the purpose of 
demonstration or to support a presentation, are subject to inspection.
    Individuals requiring sign language interpretation for the hearing 
impaired or other special accommodations must provide that information 
upon registering for the meeting.

    Authority: Sections 1102 and 1871 of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 1302 and 1395hh)

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

    Dated: December 9, 2003.
Thomas A. Scully,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 03-31044 Filed 12-23-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P