[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 57 (Friday, March 24, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14901-14903]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-2568]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-3163-N]


Medicare Program; Request for Nominations for Members of the 
Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee and Notice of Meeting of the 
Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee--May 18, 2006

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice requests nominations for consideration for 
membership on 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 notice also announces a public meeting of the MCAC. The 
meeting will address the use of non-invasive imaging technologies 
versus cardiac catheterization in the diagnosis of coronary artery 
disease. Notice of this meeting is given under the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. 2, section 10(a)).
    Nominations: Deadline and Address: Nominations will be considered 
if postmarked by April 23, 2006 and mailed to the Executive Secretary 
(see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
    Secretary's Charter: Obtain a copy of the Secretary's Charter for 
the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee from Maria Ellis, Office of 
Clinical Standards and Quality, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid 
Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop: 1-09-06, Baltimore, MD 
21244; (410) 786-0309; [email protected]. This charter is also 
posted on the following Web site: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/FACA/downloads/mcaccharter.pdf.
    Meeting: Date and Location: The public meeting will be held in the 
main auditorium of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 
Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244, on Thursday, May 18, 2006, 
from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., e.d.t.
    Presentation 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 the Executive Secretary by 
mail or email (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
    Deadline for Written Comments and Presentations: Written comments 
and presentations for the public meeting must be received by April 24, 
2006, 5 p.m., e.d.t. The presentation that will be submitted must be 
your final presentation; no further changes will be accepted.
    Deadline for Registration to Attend Meeting: For security reasons, 
individuals wishing to attend this meeting must register by close of 
business on May 11, 2006.
    Special Accommodations: Persons attending the meeting who are 
hearing or visually impaired, or who have a condition that requires 
special assistance or accommodations, are asked to notify the Executive 
Secretary by May 11, 2006 (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
    Web site: You may access up-to-date information on this meeting at 
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/FACA/02_MCAC.asp#TopOfPage.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Atkinson, Executive 
Secretary, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Central Building 
01-09-06, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244; (410) 786-2881; 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

A. Nominations

    On December 14, 1998, we published a notice in the Federal Register 
(63 FR 68780) announcing the establishment of the Medicare Coverage 
Advisory Committee (MCAC). The Secretary signed the initial charter for 
the MCAC on November 24, 1998. The charter was renewed and will 
terminate on November 24, 2006, unless renewed again by the Secretary.
    The MCAC is governed by provisions of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463), as amended (5 U.S.C. App. 2), which 
sets forth standards for the formulation and use of advisory 
committees, and is authorized by section 222 of the Public Health 
Service Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 217A).
    The MCAC consists of a pool of 100 appointed members. Members are 
selected from among authorities in clinical medicine of all 
specialties, administrative medicine, public health, biologic and 
physical sciences, health care data and information management and 
analysis, patient advocacy, the economics of health care, medical 
ethics, and other related professions such as epidemiology and 
biostatistics, and methodology of trial design. A maximum of 88 members 
are standard

[[Page 14902]]

voting members, and 12 are nonvoting members (6 of which are 
representatives of consumer interests, and 6 of which are 
representatives of industry interests).
    The MCAC functions on a committee basis. The committee reviews and 
evaluates medical literature, reviews technology assessments, and 
examines data and information on the effectiveness and appropriateness 
of medical items and services that are covered or eligible for coverage 
under Medicare. The Committee works from an agenda provided by the 
Designated Federal Official that lists specific issues, and develops 
technical advice to assist us in determining reasonable and necessary 
applications of medical services and technology when we make national 
coverage decisions for Medicare.

B. Meeting

    On December 14, 1998, we published a notice in the Federal Register 
(63 FR 68780) to describe the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee 
(MCAC), which provides advice and recommendations to us about clinical 
issues. This notice announces a public meeting of the Committee.
    The Committee will discuss evidence and hear presentations and 
public comments regarding the use of non-invasive imaging technologies 
versus cardiac catheterization in the diagnosis of coronary artery 
disease.
    Background information about this topic, including panel materials, 
is available on the Internet at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/coverage/.

II. Provisions

A. Nominations

    As of December 2006, there will be 50 terms of membership expiring, 
3 of which are non-voting consumer representatives, and 4 of which are 
non-voting industry representatives. Accordingly, we are requesting 
nominations for both voting and non-voting members to serve on the 
MCAC. Nominees are selected based upon their individual qualifications, 
and not as representatives of professional associations or societies.
    We have a special interest in ensuring that women, minority groups, 
and physically challenged individuals are adequately represented on the 
MCAC. Therefore, we encourage nominations of qualified candidates from 
these groups.
    All nominations must be accompanied by curricula vitae. Nomination 
packages must be sent to the Executive Secretary (see FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT).
    Nominees for voting membership must have expertise and experience 
in one or more of the following fields: Clinical medicine of all 
specialties, administrative medicine, public health, patient advocacy, 
biologic and physical sciences, health care data and information 
management and analysis, the economics of health care, medical ethics, 
and other related professions such as epidemiology and biostatistics, 
and methodology of trial design.
    We are also seeking nominations for seven non-voting 
representatives, three of which are consumer representatives and four 
of which are industry representatives. Nominees for this position must 
possess appropriate qualifications to understand and contribute to the 
MCAC's work.
    The nomination letter must include a statement that the nominee is 
willing to serve as a member of the MCAC and appears to have no 
conflict of interest that would preclude membership. We are requesting 
that all curricula vitae include the following: Date of birth, place of 
birth, social security number, title and current position, professional 
affiliation, home and business address, telephone and fax numbers, e-
mail address, and list of areas of expertise. In the nominations 
letter, we are requesting that the nominee specify whether applying for 
a voting position, a consumer representative position, or an industry 
representative position. Potential candidates will be asked to provide 
detailed information concerning matters such as financial holdings, 
consultancies, and research grants or contracts in order to permit 
evaluation of possible sources of conflict of interest.
    Members are invited to serve for overlapping 2-year terms. A member 
can serve after the expiration of the member's term until a successor 
takes office. Any interested person can nominate one or more qualified 
persons. Self-nominations are also accepted.

B. Meeting

    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 Written 
Comments and Presentations date listed in the Meeting 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/FACA/02_MCAC.asp#TopOfPagemeetings. 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 can 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.
1. Registration Instructions
    The Coverage and Analysis Group is coordinating meeting 
registration. While there is no registration fee, individuals must 
register to attend: Register by contacting Maria Ellis, Coverage and 
Analysis Group, OCSQ; Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; 7500 
Security Blvd, Central Building C1-09-06, Baltimore, MD 21244; (410) 
786-0309; [email protected]. Please provide your name, address, 
organization, telephone and fax number, and email 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 May 11, 2006.
2. 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.

[[Page 14903]]

    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 before 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)(1) and (a)(2); 42 
U.S.C. 217(a), section 222 of the Public Health Service Act, as 
amended.

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


    Dated: February 23, 2006.
Barry M. Straube,
Director, Office of Clinical Standards and Quality, Centers for 
Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 06-2568 Filed 3-23-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-U