[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 82 (Friday, April 28, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25179-25180]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-6110]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-1319-N]


Medicare Program; Meeting of the Practicing Physicians Advisory 
Council, May 22, 2006

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 meet to 
discuss certain proposed changes in regulations and 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, May 22, 2006, 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.

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/home/regsguidance.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 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 (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

[[Page 25180]]

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 before 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. Section 1868(a)(3) of the Act provides for payment of 
expenses and per diem for Council members in the same manner as members 
of other advisory committees appointed by the Secretary. 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: Anthony Senagore, M.D., Chairperson; Jose Azocar, M.D.; M. 
Leroy Sprang, M.D.; Karen S. Williams, M.D.; Peter Grimm, D.O.; Carlos 
R. Hamilton, M.D.; Dennis K. Iglar, M.D.; Joe Johnson, D.C.; Vincent J. 
Bufalino, M.D.; Tye J. Ouzounian, M.D.; Geraldine O'Shea, D.O.; Laura 
B. Powers, M.D.; Gregory J. Przybylski, M.D.; Jeffrey A. Ross, DPM, 
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 March 6, 2006 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:
     Medically Unbelievable Edits.
     Methodology for Costing New Services Under Medicare 
Advantage, Medicare Fee-for-Service, and Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR).
     Swearing In of New Council Members.
     Disease Management.
     Update--Pay for Performance: Measurement Development.
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., May 5, 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.d.t., May 5, 2006, for distribution to 
Council members for review before the meeting. Physicians and medical 
organizations not scheduled to speak may also submit written comments 
to the DFO for distribution no later than 12 noon, e.d.t., May 5, 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 
email 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: April 6, 2006.
Mark B. McClellan
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
 [FR Doc. E6-6110 Filed 4-27-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P