[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 204 (Friday, October 22, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62056-62057]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-23442]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-1484-N]


Medicare Program; November 22, 2004, Meeting of the Practicing 
Physicians Advisory Council

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

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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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 Monday, November 22, 2004, from 
8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. e.s.t.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in Room 505A, 5th 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.

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 
Committee's 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 (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) 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--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 August 30, 2004 meeting and 
prior meeting recommendations. Additionally, an update will be provided 
on the Physicians Regulatory Issues Team and Part ``D'' Benefits.
    In accordance with the Council charter we are requesting assistance 
with the following agenda topics:
     Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule;
     Outpatient Final Rule;
     Medicare Coverage Process;
     Medicare Preventive Benefits & Welcome to Medicare Exam 
Visit; and
     Quality Initiative Projects: Doctor Office Quality--
Information Technology Project (DOQ-IT).
    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

[[Page 62057]]

noon, November 1, 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, by e-mail at 
[email protected] no later than 12 noon, November 1, 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.

    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: October 7, 2004.
Mark B. McClellan,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 04-23442 Filed 10-21-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P