[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 18 (Friday, January 27, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4591-4592]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-702]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

[CMS-1318-N]


Medicare Program; Meeting of the Practicing Physicians Advisory 
Council, March 6, 2006

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare and 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 meet to 
discuss certain proposed changes in regulations and carrier manual 
instructions related to physicians' services, as identified by the 
Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary). This meeting is 
open to the public.

DATES: The Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 6, 2006, from 
8 a.m. until 5 p.m. e.s.t.

ADDRESS: 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.

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 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 and Medicaid Services (CMS) 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

[[Page 4592]]

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 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 Council's Executive Director 
providing a status report and the CMS responses to the recommendations 
made by the Council at the December 5, 2005 meeting as well as 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:
     Moving Towards Pay for Performance.
     Update on Implementation of Part D Drug Program.
     Medicare Contractor Reform.
     Medicare Health Support.
    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.s.t., February 17, 
2006, 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.s.t., February 17, 2006, 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.s.t., February 17, 2006. 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: January 5, 2006.
Mark B. McClellan,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. E6-702 Filed 1-26-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P