[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 79 (Friday, April 23, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22083-22084]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-8831]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-1363-N]


Medicare Program; May 17, 2004, Meeting of the Practicing 
Physicians Advisory Council

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

ACTION: Notice.

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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). This meeting is open to the public.

DATES: The meeting is scheduled for May 17, 2004, from 8:30 a.m. until 
5 p.m. e.s.t.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in Room 705A, 7th floor, at the 
Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, 
DC 20201.
    Meeting Registration: Persons wishing to attend this meeting must 
contact John Lanigan, Council Coordinator, by e-mail at 
[email protected] or by telephone at (410) 786-2312, at least 72 
hours in advance to register. Persons not registered in advance will 
not be permitted into the Humphrey Building and will not be permitted 
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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth Simon, M.D., Executive 
Director, Practicing Physicians Advisory Council, 7500 Security Blvd., 
Mail Stop C4-11-27, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850, telephone (410) 786-2312, 
or e-mail [email protected]. News media representatives must contact 
the CMS Press Office, (202) 690-6145. 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.

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 must have 
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 as 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 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.
    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.; Dennis K. Iglar, M.D.; Joe 
Johnson, D.C.; Christopher Leggett, M.D.; Barbara McAneny, M.D.; Laura 
B. Powers, M.D.; Michael T. Rapp, M.D.; Robert L. Urata, M.D. Four new 
Council members will be sworn-in on May 17, 2004. The new nominees to 
be sworn-in are Jose Azocar, M.D.; Peter Grimm, D.O.; Geraldine O'Shea, 
D.O.; and Anthony Senagore, M.D.
    The meeting will commence with a status report and discussion on 
prior meeting recommendations. Additionally, updates will be provided 
on the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, Physicians 
Regulatory Issues Team, and Competitive Bidding. Council updates will 
be followed by discussion and comment on the following agenda topics:
     Enrollment and PECOS.
     Medical Care for Undocumented Aliens.
     SNF Consolidated Billing.
     Medicare Graduate Medical Education Payment.
    For additional information and clarification on these topics, 
contact the Executive Director, listed under the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice. Individual physicians or 
medical organizations that represent physicians wishing to make a 5-
minute oral presentation on agenda issues must contact the Executive 
Director by 12 noon, May 7, 2004, to be scheduled. Testimony is limited 
to agenda topics only. 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 John Lanigan, Council Coordinator, no later than 
12 noon, May 7, 2004, for distribution to Council members for review 
prior to the meeting. Physicians and medical organizations not 
scheduled to speak may also submit written comments to the 
Administrative Officer for distribution. The meeting is open to the 
public, but attendance is limited to the space available.
    Special Accommodations: Individuals requiring sign language 
interpretation or other special accommodation must

[[Page 22084]]

contact John Lanigan by e-mail at [email protected] or by telephone 
at (410) 786-2312 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 Pub. L. 92-463 (5 U.S.C. App. 2, 
section 10(a).)


(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.773, 
Medicare--Hospital Insurance; and Program No. 93.774, Medicare--
Supplementary Medical Insurance Program.)
    Dated: April 9, 2004.
Mark B. McClellan,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 04-8831 Filed 4-22-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P