[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 41 (Friday, February 29, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11120-11121]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-3829]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-3196-N]


Medicare Program; Town Hall Meeting of the Medicare Evidence 
Development and Coverage Advisory Committee--April 30, 2008

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

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces a public meeting of the Medicare 
Evidence Development & Coverage Advisory Committee (MedCAC) 
(``Committee''). We are soliciting comments from the scientific 
community and the public on prioritizing research topics of importance 
to the Medicare population. This meeting is a follow up to the CMS 
Evidentiary Priorities MedCAC meeting, which was held on October 22, 
2007 to establish a list of evidentiary priorities for research to 
improve the health of Medicare beneficiaries.
    The Committee generally 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.
    Notice of this meeting is given under the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. 2, section 10(a)).

DATES: Meeting Date: The public meeting will be held on Wednesday, 
April 30, 2008 from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., e.s.t.
    Deadline for Written Comments: Written comments must be received at 
the address specified in the ADDRESSES section of this notice by April 
2, 2008, 5 p.m., e.s.t. Once submitted, comments are final. The meeting 
will not include PowerPoint presentations.
    Deadline for Meeting Registration: Individuals may register by 
phone or e-mail by contacting the contact listed in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice by close of business on 
Monday April 21, 2008.
    Deadline for Submitting Request for Special Accommodations: Persons 
attending the meeting who are hearing or visually impaired, or have a 
condition that requires special assistance or accommodations, are asked 
to contact the Executive Secretary as specified in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice no later than April 23, 
2008.

ADDRESSES: Meeting Location: The meeting will be held in the main 
auditorium of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 7500 
Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21244.
    Submission of Presentations and Comments: Written comments and 
those that will be presented verbally at the meeting must be submitted 
by e-mail to [email protected] or by regular mail to the 
contact listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this 
notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maria Ellis, Executive Secretary for 
MedCAC, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Office of Clinical 
Standards and Quality, Coverage and Analysis Group, C1-09-06, 7500 
Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244 or contact Ms. Ellis via phone 
(410-786-0309) or e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    On December 14, 1998, we published a notice in the Federal Register 
(63 FR 68780) to describe the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee 
(MCAC), now known as the MedCAC, which provides advice and 
recommendations to CMS about clinical issues.
    The purpose of the MedCAC meeting is to discuss the priorities for 
research topics that are important for the Medicare program and the 
Medicare population and to make recommendations to CMS. This public 
discussion may also provide useful information for researchers in the 
scientific community who are interested in developing research projects 
concerning Medicare beneficiaries. This meeting is a follow up to the 
CMS Evidentiary Priorities MedCAC meeting which was held on October 22, 
2007. The purpose of the October 22, 2007 meeting was to establish a 
list of evidentiary priorities for research to improve the health of 
Medicare beneficiaries. Details on the October 22, 2007 meeting and the 
CMS Evidentiary Priorities can be found at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/mcd/viewmcac.asp?where=index∣=41.
    The Committee generally provides advice and recommendations about 
whether scientific evidence is adequate to determine whether certain 
medical items and services are reasonable and necessary and thus 
eligible for coverage under the Medicare statute.

II. Meeting Format

    This meeting is open to the public. The Committee will hear oral 
presentations from the public for approximately 30 minutes. The 
Committee may limit the number and

[[Page 11121]]

duration of oral presentations to the time available. Your comments 
should consider the list of topics that we have proposed to the 
Committee and should focus on issues specific to those topics. The list 
of research topics to be discussed at the meeting will be available on 
the following Web site prior to the meeting: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/mcd/index_list.asp?list_type=mcac. We require that you declare at the 
meeting whether you have any financial involvement with manufacturers 
of any items or services being discussed (or with their competitors).
    The Committee will deliberate openly on the topics under 
consideration. Interested persons may 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 topics under consideration. At the conclusion of 
the day, the members will vote and the Committee will make its 
recommendation(s) to CMS.

III. Registration Instructions

    The Coverage and Analysis Group is coordinating meeting 
registration. While there is no registration fee, individuals must 
register to attend. You may register by contacting the person listed in 
the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice by the 
deadline listed in the DATES section of this notice. Please provide 
your full name (as it appears on your state issued driver's license), 
address, organization, telephone, fax number(s), and e-mail 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 the date as specified in the DATES section of this notice.

IV. 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 that you arrive reasonably early to allow 
additional time to clear security. Security measures include the 
following:
     Presentation of government-issued photographic 
identification to the Federal Protective Service or Guard Service 
personnel.
     Interior and exterior inspection of vehicles (this 
includes engine and trunk inspection) at the entrance to the grounds. 
Parking permits and instructions will be issued after the vehicle 
inspection.
     Passing through a metal detector and inspection of items 
brought into the building. We note that all items brought to CMS, 
whether personal or for the purpose of presentation or to support a 
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 presentation or to support a presentation.

    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 prior to 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).

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.773, 
Medicare--Hospital Insurance; and Program No. 93.774, Medicare--
Supplementary Medical Insurance Program).

    Dated: February 14, 2008.
Barry M. Straube,
Chief Medical Officer and Director, Office of Clinical Standards and 
Quality, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
 [FR Doc. E8-3829 Filed 2-28-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P