[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 15 (Friday, January 23, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3371-3372]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-1150]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-1362-N]


Medicare Program; February 23-24, 2004, Meeting of the Practicing 
Physicians Advisory Council

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). 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 the 
Council Administrative Officer, Cheryl Slay, at [email protected] or 
(410)-786-7054. 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 February 23, and February 24, 2004 
from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. e.s.t.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in Room 800, at the Hubert H. 
Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20201.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth Simon, M.D., Executive 
Director, Practicing Physicians Advisory Council, 7500 Security 
Boulevard, Mail Stop C4-11-27, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850, (410) 786-
3377. Please refer to the CMS Advisory Committees Information Line: (1-
877-449-5659 toll free)/(410-786-9379 local) or the Internet at http://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 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 must 
be physicians described in section 1861(r)(1) of the Act; that is, 
State-licensed doctors of medicine or osteopathy. The remaining 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 Castellanos, M.D.; Rebecca 
Gaughan, M.D.; Carlos R. Hamilton, M.D.; Joseph Heyman, M.D.; Dennis K. 
Iglar, M.D.; Joe Johnson, D.O.; Christopher Leggett, M.D.; Barbara 
McAneny, M.D.; Angelyn L. Moultrie-Lizana, D.O.; Laura B. Powers, M.D.; 
Michael T. Rapp, M.D. (Council Chair); 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. The agenda will provide for discussion and comment on the 
following topics:
    [sbull] 2004 Physician Fee Schedule.
    [sbull] Physicians Regulatory Issues Team Update.

[[Page 3372]]

    [sbull] Sustainable Growth Rate.
    [sbull] Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization 
Act of 2003.
    [sbull] Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act.
    [sbull] End Stage Renal Disease Quality Initiative.
    [sbull] Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Codes and Evaluation & 
Management.
    [sbull] Adjusted Wholesale Pricing.
    [sbull] Outcome and Assessment Information Set and Home Care 
Benefits.
    [sbull] Medical Malpractice Premiums.
    [sbull] Wheelchair Billing Brochure.
    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 
must contact the Executive Director by 12 noon, Friday, February 13, 
2004, 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 must be submitted to 
Cheryl Slay at [email protected] no later than 12 noon, Friday, 
February 13, 2004, 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 or other special accommodation must contact Cheryl Slay 
at [email protected] or (410) 786-7054 at least 10 days before the 
meeting.

    Authority: (Section 1868 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
1395ee) and section 10(a) of Public Law 92-463 (5 U.S.C. App. 2, 
section 10(a)); 45 C.F.R. Part 11) (Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance Program No. 93.773, Medicare--Hospital Insurance; and 
Program No. 93.774, Medicare--Supplementary Medical Insurance 
Program)

    Dated: January 13, 2004.
Dennis G. Smith,
Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 04-1150 Filed 1-22-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P