[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 185 (Friday, September 24, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57304-57305]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-21200]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-3154-N]


Medicare Program; Request for Nominations for Members for the 
Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice requests nominations for consideration for 
membership on the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee (MCAC).

DATES: Nominations will be considered if received at the designated 
address, as provided below, no later than 5 p.m. on September 30, 2004.

ADDRESSES: You may mail nominations for membership to the following 
address: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Office of Clinical 
Standards and Quality, Attention: Michelle Atkinson, 7500 Security 
Blvd., Mail Stop: Central Building 1-09-06, Baltimore, MD 21244.
    A copy of the Secretary's Charter for the Medicare Coverage 
Advisory Committee can be obtained from Maria Ellis, Office of Clinical 
Standards and Quality, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 
Security Blvd., Mail Stop: Central Building 1-09-06, Baltimore, MD 
21244, or by e-mail to [email protected]. The charter is also posted 
on the web at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/mcac/8b1-1.asp.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Atkinson, 410-786-2881.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On December 14, 1998, we published a notice in the Federal Register 
(63 FR 68780) announcing establishment of the Medicare Coverage 
Advisory Committee (MCAC). The Secretary signed the initial charter for 
the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee on November 24, 1998. The 
charter was renewed by the Secretary and will terminate on November 24, 
2004, unless renewed again by the Secretary.
    The Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee is governed by provisions 
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Pub. L. 92-463, as amended (5 
U.S.C. App. 2), which sets forth standards for the formulation and use 
of advisory committees, and is authorized by section 222 of the Public 
Health Service Act as amended (42 U.S.C. 217A).
    The MCAC consists of a pool of 100 appointed members. Members are 
selected from among authorities in clinical medicine of all 
specialties, administrative medicine, public health, epidemiology and 
biostatistics, methodology of trial design, biologic and physical 
sciences, health care data and information management and analysis, the 
economics of health care, medical ethics, and other related 
professions. A maximum of 88 members are standard voting members, 12 
are nonvoting members, 6 of whom are representatives of consumer 
interests, and 6 of whom are representatives of industry interests.
    The MCAC functions on a committee basis. The committee reviews and 
evaluates medical literature, reviews technology assessments, and 
examines data and information on the effectiveness and appropriateness 
of medical items and services that are covered or eligible for coverage 
under Medicare. The Committee works from an agenda provided by the 
Designated Federal Official that lists specific issues, and develops 
technical advice to assist us in determining reasonable and necessary 
applications of medical services and technology when we make national 
coverage decisions for Medicare.
    A few vacancies exist on the current MCAC roster, and terms for 
some members currently serving will expire in 2004. Accordingly, we are 
requesting nominations for both voting and nonvoting members to serve 
on the MCAC. Nominees are selected based upon their individual 
qualifications and not as representatives of professional associations 
or societies. We have a

[[Page 57305]]

special interest in ensuring that women, minority groups, and 
physically challenged individuals are adequately represented on the 
MCAC. Therefore, we encourage nominations of qualified candidates from 
these groups.
    All nominations must be accompanied by curricula vitae. Nomination 
packages must be sent to Michelle Atkinson at the address listed in the 
Addresses section.

Criteria for Members

    Nominees for voting membership must have expertise and experience 
in one or more of the following fields: clinical medicine of all 
specialties, administrative medicine, public health, patient advocacy, 
epidemiology and biostatistics, methodology of trial design, biologic 
and physical sciences, health care data and information management and 
analysis, the economics of health care, medical ethics, and other 
related professions.
    We are also seeking nominations for nonvoting consumer and industry 
representatives. Nominees for these positions must possess appropriate 
qualifications to understand and contribute to the MCAC's work.
    The nomination letter must include a statement that the nominee is 
willing to serve as a member of the MCAC and appears to have no 
conflict of interest that would preclude membership. We are requesting 
that all curricula vitae include the following: Date of birth, place of 
birth, social security number, title and current position, professional 
affiliation, home and business address, telephone and fax numbers, e-
mail address, and list of areas of expertise. In the nominations 
letter, we are requesting that the nominee specify whether applying for 
voting member, Industry Representative, or Consumer Representative. 
Potential candidates will be asked to provide detailed information 
concerning such matters as financial holdings, consultancies, and 
research grants or contracts in order to permit evaluation of possible 
sources of conflict of interest.
    Members are invited to serve for overlapping 4-year terms. A member 
may serve after the expiration of the member's term until a successor 
takes office. Any interested person may nominate one or more qualified 
persons. Self-nominations are also accepted.

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. App. 2, section 10(a)(1) and (a)(2).

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


    Dated: September 14, 2004.
Sean R. Tunis,
Director, Office of Clinical Standards and Quality, Centers for 
Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 04-21200 Filed 9-23-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P