[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 208 (Friday, October 27, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63023-63024]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-17386]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-1381-N]


Medicare Program; Meeting of the Practicing Physicians Advisory 
Council, December 4, 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: Meeting Date: Monday, December 4, 2006, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
e.s.t.
    Deadline for Registration without Oral Presentation: Friday, 
December 1, 2006, 12 noon, e.s.t.
    Deadline for Registration of Oral Presentations: Friday, November 
17, 2006, 12 noon, e.s.t.
    Deadline for Submission of Oral Remarks and Written Comments: 
Wednesday, November 22, 2006, 12 noon, e.s.t.
    Deadline for Requesting Special Accommodations: Monday, November 
27, 2006, 12 noon, e.s.t.

ADDRESSES: Meeting Location: The meeting will be held in the Multi-
purpose Room, 1st floor, at the CMS Central Office, 7500 Security 
Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland, 21244.
    Submission of Presentations: Presentations should be mailed to 
Kelly Buchanan, DFO, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 7500 
Security Boulevard, Mail stop C4-13-07, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850, or 
contact the DFO via e-mail at [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kelly Buchanan, the Designated Federal 
Official (DFO), (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:

I. Background

    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 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.

II. Meeting Format and Agenda

    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 August 28, 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:
     Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Update;
     Physician Fee Schedule: Final Rule with Comment;
     Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS)/ Ambulatory 
Surgical Center (ASC): Final Rule;
     Medicare Contractor Provider Satisfaction Survey (MCPSS) 
Update-2006 Results;
     Pay for Voluntary Reporting Update; and
     Transparency Initiative.
    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 register with the DFO by the date listed in the 
DATES section of this notice. 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 the DFO for distribution to Council members for review 
before the meeting by the date listed in the DATES section of this 
notice.

[[Page 63024]]

Physicians and medical organizations not scheduled to speak may also 
submit written comments to the DFO for distribution by the date listed 
in the DATES section of this notice.

III. Meeting Registration and Security Information

    The meeting is open to the public, but attendance is limited to the 
space available. Persons wishing to attend this meeting must register 
by contacting DFO at the address listed in the ADDRESSES section of 
this notice or by telephone at (410)786-6132 by the date specified in 
the DATES section of this notice.
    Since this meeting will be held in a Federal Government Building, 
CMS Central Office, Federal security measures are applicable. As noted 
above, in planning your arrival time, we recommend allowing additional 
time to clear security. In order to gain access to the building, 
participants will be required to show a government-issued photo 
identification (for example, driver's license, or passport), and must 
be listed on an approved security list before persons are permitted 
entrance. Persons not registered in advance will not be permitted into 
the CMS Central Office and will not be permitted to attend the Council 
meeting.
    All persons entering the building must pass through a metal 
detector. In addition, all items brought to the CMS Central Office, 
whether personal or for the purpose of presentation, 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 the purpose of 
presentation.
    Individuals requiring sign language interpretation or other special 
accommodation must contact the DFO via the contact information 
specified in the FOR FUTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice 
by the date listed in the DATES section of this notice.

    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: October 5, 2006.
Mark B. McClellan,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. E6-17386 Filed 10-26-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P