[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 23 (Friday, February 4, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6014-6015]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-2175]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-1366-N]


Medicare Program; Meeting of the Practicing Physicians Advisory 
Council--March 7, 2005

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 Monday, March 7, 2005, from 8:30 
a.m. until 5 p.m. e.s.t.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in Room 705A 7th 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 P. 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 to enter the Hubert H. 
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 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

[[Page 6015]]

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 no later 
than December 31st 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 
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 the swearing-in of three Council 
members. The Council's Executive Director will give a status report and 
the CMS responses to the recommendations made by the Council at the 
November 22, 2004 meeting and prior meeting recommendations. 
Additionally, updates will be provided on the CMS Report to the 
Congress on Contractor Reform, and the Physician Regulatory Issues 
Team. In accordance with the Council charter, CMS is requesting 
assistance with the following agenda topics:
     Pay for Performance Initiatives.
     Competitive Bidding on Drugs.
     Physician Regulation Proposed Rule; and
     Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit: CMS' Physician 
Education Plan.
    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 (e.s.t.) on February 18, 2005, 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 P. Lanigan, 
Designated Federal Official (DFO), no later than 12 noon (e.s.t) on 
February 18, 2005, 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 DFO for distribution at 
the same times as listed for oral presentations. 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 P. 
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: January 31, 2005.
Mark B. McClellan,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 05-2175 Filed 2-3-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P