[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 36 (Friday, February 23, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8177-8179]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-3034]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-1544-N]


Program; Public Meetings in Calendar Year 2007 for All New Public 
Requests for Revisions to the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System 
(HCPCS) Coding and Payment Determinations

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the dates, time, and location of the 
Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) public meetings to be 
held in calendar year 2007 to discuss our preliminary coding and 
payment determinations for all new public requests for revisions to the 
HCPCS. These meetings provide a forum for interested parties to make 
oral presentations or to submit written comments in response to 
preliminary coding and payment determinations. Discussion will be 
directed toward responses to our specific preliminary recommendations 
and will include all items on the public meeting agenda.

DATES: Meeting Dates: The following are the 2007 HCPCS public meeting 
dates:
    1. Tuesday, May 1, 2007, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.s.t. (Supplies and 
Other)
    2. Wednesday, May 2, 2007, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.s.t. (Supplies and 
Other)
    3. Thursday, May 3, 2007, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.s.t. (Durable Medical 
Equipment (DME) and Accessories).
    4. Tuesday, May 15, 2007, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.s.t. (Drugs/
Biologicals/Radiopharmaceuticals/Radiologic Imaging Agents)
    5. Wednesday, May 16, 2007, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.s.t. (Drugs/
Biologicals/Radiopharmaceuticals/Radiologic Imaging Agents)
    6. Tuesday, May 22, 2007, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.s.t. (Orthotics and 
Prosthetics)
    7. Wednesday, May 23, 2007, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.s.t. (Orthotics and 
Prosthetics)
    The product category reported by the meeting participant may not be 
the same as that assigned by CMS. All meeting participants are advised 
to review the public meeting agenda at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medhcpcsgeninfo which identifies our category determinations, and the 
dates each item will be discussed. Draft agendas, including a summary 
of each request and CMS' preliminary decision will be posted on our 
HCPCS Web site at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medhcpcsgeninfo at least 1 
month before each meeting.
    Registration Deadlines: Individuals must register for each date 
they plan either to attend or to provide a presentation. For the May 1, 
2, and 3, 2007 public meeting dates, the deadline for registration is 
April 24, 2007; for the May 15 and 16, 2007 public meeting, the 
deadline for registration is May 8, 2007; for the May 22 and 23, 2007 
public meetings, the deadline for registration is May 15, 2007.
    Deadlines for Submission of Supporting Material: The deadline for 
submitting materials and writings that will be used in support of an 
oral presentation are: Public meetings held on May 1, 2, and 3, 2007, 
the deadline is April 17, 2007; public meetings held on May 15 and 16, 
2007, the deadline is May 1, 2007; public meeting held on May 22 and 
23, 2007, the deadline is May 8, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Meeting Location: The public meetings will be held in the 
main auditorium of the central building of the Centers for Medicare and 
Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850
    Registration and Special Accommodations: Individuals wishing to 
participate or who need special accommodations or both must register by 
completing the on-line registration located at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medhcpcsgeninfo; or by contacting Felicia Eggleston at (410)786-9287; 
[email protected] or Gloria Knight at (410)786-4598; 
[email protected], for the meetings for May 1, May 2, May 3, 
2007 meetings.
    For the May 15, May 16, May 22, and May 23, 2007 meetings, contact 
Jennifer Carver at (410)786-6610; [email protected] or Trish 
Brooks at (410)786-4561; [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Carver, 410-786-6610 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    On December 21, 2000, the Congress passed the Medicare, Medicaid, 
and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 (BIPA) (Pub. 
L. 106-554). Section 531(b) of BIPA mandated that we establish 
procedures that permit public consultation for coding and payment 
determinations for new durable medical equipment (DME) under Medicare 
Part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act (the Act). The 
procedures and public meetings announced in this notice for new DME are 
in response to the mandate of section 531(b) of BIPA.
    We published a notice in the November 23, 2001 Federal Register (66 
FR 58743) providing information regarding the establishment of the 
public meeting process for DME. It is our intent to distribute any 
materials submitted to CMS to the HCPCS workgroup members for their 
consideration. CMS and the HCPCS workgroup members require sufficient 
preparation time to review all relevant materials. For this reason, our 
HCPCS Public Meeting Coordinators will only accept and review 
presentation materials received by the deadline for each public 
meeting, as specified in the DATES section. Therefore, we are 
implementing a 10-page submission limit and firm deadlines for receipt 
of any materials and presentations the meeting participant wishes CMS 
to consider.
    The public meeting process provides an opportunity for the public 
to become aware of coding changes under consideration, as well as an 
opportunity for CMS to gather public input.

II. Meeting Registration

    The following information must be provided when registering: Name, 
company name and address, telephone and fax numbers, e-mail address, 
and special needs information. A CMS staff member will confirm your 
registration by mail, e-mail, or fax.

A. Registration Process for Primary Speakers

    Individuals must also indicate whether they are the ``primary 
speaker''

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for an agenda item. Primary speakers must be designated by the entity 
that submitted the HCPCS coding request. When registering, primary 
speakers must provide a brief written statement regarding the nature of 
the information they intend to provide, and advise the HCPCS Public 
Meeting Coordinator regarding needs for audio/visual support. To avoid 
disruption of the meeting and ensure compatibility with our systems, 
tapes and disk files are tested and arranged in speaker sequence well 
in advance of the meeting. We will accept tapes and disk files that are 
received by the ``Submission Deadline'' for each public meeting, as 
specified in the DATES section of this notice. The sum of all materials 
including presentation may not exceed 10 pages (each side of a page 
counts as 1 page). An exception will be made to the 10-page limit for 
relevant studies published between the application deadline and the 
public meeting date, in which case, we would like a copy of the 
complete publication as soon as possible.
    These materials may be delivered by regular mail or by e-mail to 
the respective HCPCS Public Meeting Coordinators as specified in the 
ADDRESSES section. Individuals will need to provide 35 copies if 
materials are delivered by mail.

B. Registration Process for 5-Minute Speakers

    In order to afford the same opportunity to all attendees, there is 
no pre-registration for 5-minute speakers. Attendees can sign up only 
on the day of the meeting to do a 5-minute presentation. They must 
provide their name, company name and address, contact information as 
specified on the sign-up sheet, and identify the specific agenda item 
that they will address.

C. Additional Registration Information

    Additional details regarding the public meeting process for all new 
public requests for revisions to the HCPCS, along with information on 
how to register and guidelines for an effective presentation, will be 
posted at least 1 month before the first meeting date on the HCPCS Web 
site: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medhcpcsgeninfo. Individuals who intend to 
provide a presentation at a public meeting need to familiarize 
themselves with the HCPCS Web site and the valuable information it 
provides to prospective registrants. The HCPCS Web site, also contains 
a document titled ``The Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System 
(HCPCS) Level II Coding Procedures,'' which is a description of the 
HCPCS coding process, including a detailed explanation of the 
procedures used to make coding and payment determinations for all the 
products, supplies, and services that are coded in the HCPCS. A summary 
of each public meeting will be posted on the HCPCS Web site by the end 
of August 2007.

III. Presentations and Comment Format

    We can only estimate the amount of meeting time that will be needed 
since it is difficult to anticipate the total number of speakers for 
each meeting. Meeting participants should arrive early since each 
meeting is anticipated to begin promptly at 9 a.m. Speakers need to 
arrive prepared and wait until it is their turn to speak. Meetings may 
end earlier than the stated ending time.

A. Oral Presentation Procedures

    Individuals who are planning to provide an oral presentation must 
register as provided under the section titled ``Meeting Registration.'' 
Materials and writings that will be used in support of an oral 
presentation should be submitted to the HCPCS Public Meeting 
Coordinators as specified in the DATES section.
    These materials may be delivered by regular mail (postmark date no 
later than deadline date) or by e-mail to the respective HCPCS Public 
Meeting Coordinators specified in the ADDRESSES section. Individuals 
will need to include 35 copies if materials are delivered by mail.

B. Primary Speaker Presentations

    The individual or entity requesting revisions to the HCPCS coding 
system for a particular agenda item may designate one ``primary 
speaker'' to make a presentation for a maximum of 15 minutes. Fifteen 
minutes is the total time interval for the presentation, and the 
presentation must incorporate the demonstration, set-up, and 
distribution of material. In establishing the public meeting agenda, we 
may group multiple, related requests under the same agenda item. In 
that case, we will decide whether additional time will be allotted, and 
may opt to increase the amount of time allotted to the speaker by 
increments of less than 15 minutes.
    We will post ``Guidelines for Participation in Public Meetings for 
All New Public Requests for Revisions to the Healthcare Common 
Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Coding and Payment Determinations'' on 
the official HCPCS Web site at least a month before the first public 
meeting in 2007 for all new public requests for revisions to the HCPCS. 
Individuals designated to be the primary speaker must register to 
attend the meeting using the registration procedures described under 
the section titled ``Meeting Registration'' and, at least 15 days 
before the meeting, contact the appropriate HCPCS Public Meeting 
Coordinators, specified in the ADDRESSES section.

C. ``5-Minute'' Speaker Presentations

    Meeting attendees can sign up at the meeting, on a first-come, 
first-served basis, to make 5-minute presentations on individual agenda 
items. Based on the number of items on the agenda and the progress of 
the meeting, a determination will be made at the meeting by the meeting 
coordinator and the meeting moderator regarding how many 5-minute 
speakers can be accommodated.

D. Speaker Declaration

    On the day of the meeting, before the end of the meeting, all 
primary speakers and 5-minute speakers must provide a brief written 
summary of their comments and conclusions to the HCPCS Public Meeting 
Coordinator.
    The primary speakers and the 5-minute speakers must declare in 
their presentations at the meeting, as well as in their written 
summaries, whether they have any financial involvement with the 
manufacturers or competitors of any items or services being discussed; 
this includes any payment, salary, remuneration, or benefit provided to 
that speaker by the manufacturer or the manufacturer's representatives.

E. Written Comments From Meeting Attendees

    Written comments can be submitted either the before or at the 
meeting via e-mail to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medhcpcsgeninfo or via 
regular mail to the HCPCS Public Meeting Coordinator, Centers for 
Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop C5-08-
27, Baltimore, MD 21244. Due to the close timing of the public 
meetings, subsequent workgroup reconsiderations, and final decisions, 
we are able to consider only those comments received in writing by the 
close of the public meeting at which the request is discussed. Written 
comments to this address are also accepted from the general public 
anytime up to the date of the public meeting at which a request is 
discussed.

IV. Security, Building, and Parking Guidelines

    The meetings are 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

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the building and grounds, participants must bring government-issued 
photo identification and a copy of your written meeting registration 
confirmation. Persons without proper identification will be denied 
access.
    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 45 minutes before the 
convening of the meeting each day.
    Security measures will also include inspection of vehicles, inside 
and outside, at the entrance to the grounds and buildings. In addition, 
all persons entering the building must pass through a metal detector. 
All items brought to CMS 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 presentation. Special 
arrangements and approvals are required in order to bring pieces of 
equipment or medical devices at least two weeks prior to each public 
meeting. These arrangements need to be made with the appropriate public 
meeting coordinator. It is possible that certain requests, made in 
advance, of the public meeting could be denied because of unique 
safety, security or handling issues related to the equipment. A minimum 
of two weeks is required for approvals and security procedures. Any 
request not submitted at least two weeks in advance of the public 
meeting will be denied.
    Parking permits and instructions are issued upon arrival by the 
guards at the main entrance.
    All visitors must be escorted in areas other than the lower and 
first-floor levels in the Central Building.

    Authority: Section 1102 and 1871 of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 1302 and 42 U.S.C. 1395hh).

    Dated: January 29, 2007.
Leslie V. Norwalk,
Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
 [FR Doc. E7-3034 Filed 2-22-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P