[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 184 (Friday, September 23, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55905-55906]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-18924]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-3159-N]


Medicare Program; Meeting of the Medicare Coverage Advisory 
Committee--November 29, 2005

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces a public meeting of the Medicare 
Coverage Advisory Committee (MCAC). The Committee provides advice and 
recommendations about whether scientific evidence is adequate to 
determine whether certain medical items and services are reasonable and 
necessary under the Medicare statute. This meeting concerns the 
treatments for age-related macular degeneration. Notice of this meeting 
is given under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. 2, 
section 10(a)).

DATES: The public meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 
from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. e.s.t.
    Deadlines: Deadline for Presentations and Comments: Written 
comments and presentations must be received by October 31, 2005, 5 
p.m., e.s.t.
    Deadline for Registration to Attend Meeting: For security reasons, 
individuals wishing to attend this meeting must register by close of 
business on November 22, 2005.
    Special Accommodations: Persons attending the meeting who are 
hearing or visually impaired, or have a condition that requires special 
assistance or accommodations, are asked to notify the Executive 
Secretary by November 22, 2005 (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the main auditorium of the 
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Blvd., 
Baltimore, MD 21244.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Atkinson, Executive 
Secretary, by telephone at 410-786-2881 or by e-mail at 
[email protected].
    Web Site: You may access up-to-date information on this meeting at 
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/mcac/default.asp#meetings.
    Presentations And Comments: Interested persons can present data, 
information, or views orally or in writing on issues pending before the 
Committee. Please submit written comments to Michelle Atkinson, by e-
mail at [email protected], or by mail to the Executive 
Secretary for MCAC, Coverage and Analysis Group, Office of Clinical 
Standards and Quality, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 
Security Boulevard, Mail Stop C1-09-06, Baltimore, MD 21244.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    On December 14, 1998, we published a notice in the Federal Register 
(63 FR 68780) to describe the Medicare

[[Page 55906]]

Coverage Advisory Committee (MCAC), which provides advice and 
recommendations to us about clinical issues. This notice announces a 
public meeting of the Committee.
    Meeting Topic: The Committee will discuss evidence and hear 
presentations and public comments regarding therapies and outcome 
measures for age-related macular degeneration.
    Background information about this topic, including panel materials, 
is available on the Internet at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/coverage/.

II. Procedure

    This meeting is open to the public. The Committee will hear oral 
presentations from the public for approximately 45 minutes. The 
Committee can limit the number and duration of oral presentations to 
the time available. If you wish to make formal presentations, you must 
notify the Executive Secretary named in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT section and submit the following by the Deadline for 
Presentations and Comments date listed in the DATES section of this 
notice: a brief statement of the general nature of the evidence or 
arguments you wish to present, the names and addresses of proposed 
participants, and a written copy of your presentation. Your 
presentation should consider the questions we have posed to the 
Committee and focus on the issues specific to the topic. The questions 
will be available on our Web site at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/mcac/default.asp meetings. We require that you declare at the meeting 
whether or not you have any financial involvement with manufacturers of 
any items or services being discussed (or with their competitors).
    After the public and CMS presentations, the Committee will 
deliberate openly on the topic. Interested persons may observe the 
deliberations, but the Committee will not hear further comments during 
this time except at the request of the chairperson. The Committee will 
also allow a 15 minute unscheduled open public session for any attendee 
to address issues specific to the topic. At the conclusion of the day, 
the members will vote, and the Committee will make its recommendation.

III. Registration Instructions

    The Coverage and Analysis Group is coordinating meeting 
registration. While there is no registration fee, individuals must 
register to attend. You may register by contacting Maria Ellis at 410-
786-0309, mailing address: Coverage and Analysis Group, OCSQ; Centers 
for Medicare & Medicaid Services; 7500 Security Blvd, Mailstop: C1-09-
06; Baltimore, MD 21244, or by e-mail at [email protected]. 
Please provide your name, address, organization, telephone and fax 
number, and e-mail address.
    You will receive a registration confirmation with instructions for 
your arrival at the CMS complex. You will be notified if the seating 
capacity has been reached.
    This meeting is located on Federal property; therefore, for 
security reasons, any individuals wishing to attend this meeting must 
register by close of business on November 22, 2005.

IV. Security, Building, and Parking Guidelines

    This meeting will be held in a Federal government building; 
therefore, Federal security measures are applicable. In planning your 
arrival time, we recommend allowing additional time to clear security.
    In order to gain access to the building and grounds, individuals 
must present photographic identification to the Federal Protective 
Service or Guard Service personnel before being allowed entrance.
    Security measures also include inspection of vehicles, inside and 
out, at the entrance to the grounds. In addition, all individuals 
entering the building must pass through a metal detector. All items 
brought to CMS, whether personal or for the purpose of demonstration or 
to support a demonstration, are subject to inspection. We cannot assume 
responsibility for coordinating the receipt, transfer, transport, 
storage, set-up, safety, or timely arrival of any personal belongings 
or items used for demonstration or to support a demonstration.
    Parking permits and instructions will be issued upon arrival.


    Note: Individuals who are not registered in advance will not be 
permitted to enter the building and will be unable to attend the 
meeting. The public may not enter the building earlier than 30 to 45 
minutes prior to the convening of the meeting.


    All visitors must be escorted in areas other than the lower and 
first floor levels in the Central Building.

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

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

    Dated: July 21, 2005.
Barry M. Straube,
Acting Chief Medical Officer and Acting Director, Office of Clinical 
Standards and Quality, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 05-18924 Filed 9-22-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P