[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 140 (Friday, July 22, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42330-42331]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-14154]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-1315-N]


Medicare Program; August 22, 2005, 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: This notice announces a quarterly 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. In addition, this 
notice invites all organizations representing physicians to submit 
nominations for consideration to fill four seats that will be vacated 
by current Council members in 2006.

DATES: The Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 22, 2005, 
from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. e.d.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 
register by contacting Kelly Buchanan, the Designated Federal Official 
(DFO) by e-mail at [email protected] or by telephone at (410) 786-6132, 
at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. This meeting will be held 
in a Federal Government Building, Hubert H. Humphrey Building, and 
persons attending the meeting will be required to show a photographic 
identification, preferably a valid driver's license, and will be listed 
on an approved security list before persons are permitted entrance. 
Persons not registered in advance will not be permitted into the Hubert 
H. Humphrey Building and will not be permitted to attend the Council 
meeting.
    Nomination Requirements: 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 16, 2005. Mail or deliver 
nominations to the following address: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid 
Services, Center for Medicare Management, Division of Provider 
Relations and Evaluations, Attention: Kelly Buchanan, Designated 
Federal Official Practicing Physicians Advisory Council, 7500 Security 
Boulevard, Mail Stop C4-11-07, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.
    Nominations must be submitted by medical organizations representing 
physicians. Nominees must have submitted at least 250 claims for 
physician services under the Medicare program in the previous year. 
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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kelly Buchanan, (410) 786-6132, 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: In accordance with section 10(a) of the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act, this notice announces the quarterly 
meeting of the Practicing Physicians Advisory Council (the Council). 
The Secretary is mandated by section 1868(a)(1) 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 Council's 
consultation must occur before Federal Register 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, including the Chair. 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)(2) of the Act provides that the Council meet 
quarterly to discuss certain proposed changes in regulations and manual 
issuances that

[[Page 42331]]

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, the 
Department of Health and Human Services and CMS 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 in a manner to ensure 
appropriate balance of the Council's membership.
    The Council held its first meeting on May 11, 1992. The current 
members are: Ronald Castellanos, M.D. Chairperson; Jose Azocar, M.D.; 
M. Leroy Sprang, 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.; Gregory J. Przybylski, M.D.; Anthony 
Senagore, M.D.; and Robert L. Urata, M.D.
    The meeting will commence with the swearing-in of one Council 
member. The Council's Executive Director will give a status report and 
the CMS responses to the recommendations made by the Council at the May 
23, 2005 meeting and prior meeting recommendations. Additionally, an 
update will be provided on the Physician Regulatory Issues Team. In 
accordance with the Council charter, we are requesting assistance with 
the following agenda topics:
     Competitive Acquisition for Drugs.
     Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule.
     Part D Prescription Drug Program.
     Outpatient Proposed Rule.
     Surgical Care Improvement Partnership Program.
     Alliance for Cardiac Care Excellence Program.
     NPI-Outreach and Implementation.
    For additional information and clarification on these topics, 
contact the DFO as provided in 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 DFO by 12 noon, e.d.t., August 5, 
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 Kelly 
Buchanan, DFO, no later than 12 noon, e.d.t., August 5, 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 no later than noon, 
e.d.t., August 5, 2005. 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 the DFO by 
e-mail at [email protected] or by telephone at (410) 786-6132 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).)

    Dated: July 11, 2005.
Mark McClellan,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 05-14154 Filed 7-21-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P