[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 141 (Friday, July 23, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44035-44036]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-16526]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-1364-N]


Medicare Program; August 30, 2004, Meeting of the Practicing 
Physicians Advisory Council and Request for Nominations

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) 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, 2005. 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 Monday, August 30, 2004, from 8:30 
a.m. until 5 p.m. e.d.t.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in Room 800, 8th floor, in the 
Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, 
DC 20201.
    Meeting Registration: Persons wishing to attend this meeting must 
contact John Lanigan, the Designated Federal Official (DFO) by e-mail 
at [email protected] or by telephone at (410) 786-2312, at least 72 
hours in advance of the meeting to register. Persons not registered in 
advance will not be permitted into the Humphrey Building and will not 
be permitted to attend the Council meeting. Persons attending the 
meeting will be required to show a photographic identification, 
preferably a valid driver's license, before entering the building.
    Nominations: Nominations to fill vacancies on the Council will be 
considered if received at the appropriate address, no later than 5 p.m. 
e.d.t., September 15, 2004. Mail or deliver nominations to the 
following address: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Center for 
Medicare Management, Division of Provider Relations and Evaluations, 
Attention: John Lanigan, Designated Federal Official, Practicing 
Physicians Advisory Council, 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop C4-10-
07, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth Simon, M.D., Executive 
Director, Practicing Physicians Advisory Council, 7500 Security Blvd., 
Mail Stop C4-10-07, 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 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, 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)(1) of the

[[Page 44036]]

Act provides that nominations for Council membership must be made to 
the Secretary by medical organizations representing physicians.
    The Council held its first meeting on May 11, 1992. The current 
members are: Jose Azocar, M.D.; James Bergeron, M.D.; Ronald 
Castellanos, M.D.; Rebecca Gaughan, M.D.; Peter Grimm, D.O.; Carlos R. 
Hamilton, M.D.; Dennis K. Iglar, M.D.; Joe Johnson, D.C.; Christopher 
Leggett, M.D.; Barbara McAneny, M.D.; Geraldine O'Shea, D.O.; Laura B. 
Powers, M.D.; Michael T. Rapp, M.D. (Chairperson); Anthony Senagore, 
M.D.; and Robert L. Urata, M.D.
    The meeting will commence with a status report and our response to 
recommendations made by the Council at the May 17, 2004 meeting and 
prior meeting recommendations. Additionally, updates will be provided 
on the Physician Fee Schedule, Evaluation and Management (E & M) 
Documentation Guidelines, Medical Economics Index and Proxy Indicators, 
2005 Medicare Modernization Act issues and activities, Average Sales 
Price, and Physician Regulatory Issues Team. In accordance with the 
Council charter we are requesting assistance with the following agenda 
topics:
     Enrollment and Pecos.
     Chronic Care Improvement Program.
     Efforts to Improve the Accuracy of Call Center 
Information.
    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, August 17, 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, Designated Federal Official, 
no later than 12 noon, August 17, 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 Designated Federal 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 contact John Lanigan 
by e-mail at [email protected] or by telephone at (410) 786-2312 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(a)(2) 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(a)(3) 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, we provide 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: (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: July 15, 2004.
Mark McClellan,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 04-16526 Filed 7-22-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P