[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 81 (Friday, April 25, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22421-22423]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-8231]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-1557-N]


Medicare Program; Meeting of the Practicing Physicians Advisory 
Council, May 19, 2008

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, May 19, 2008, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
d.s.t.

[[Page 22422]]

    Deadline for Registration without Oral Presentation: Thursday, May 
8, 2008, 12 noon, d.s.t.
    Deadline for Registration with Oral Presentations: Monday, May 5, 
2008, 12 noon, d.s.t.
    Deadline for Submission of Oral Remarks and Written Comments: 
Wednesday, May 7, 2008, 12 noon, d.s.t.
    Deadline for Requesting Special Accommodations: Monday, May 12, 
2008, 12 noon, d.s.t.

ADDRESSES: Meeting Location: The meeting will be held in Room 705A in 
the Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20201.
    Submission of Testimony: Testimonies should be mailed to Kelly 
Buchanan, Designated Federal Official (DFO), Centers for Medicare & 
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, 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 physician 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.
    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: Vincent J. Bufalino, M.D., Chairperson; M. Leroy Sprang, 
M.D.; Karen S. Williams, M.D.; Jonathon E. Siff, M.D., MBA; John E. 
Arradondo, M.D., MPH; Tye J. Ouzounian, M.D.; Arthur D. Snow, Jr., 
M.D.; Gregory J. Przybylski, M.D.; Jeffrey A. Ross, DPM, M.D.; and 
Roger L. Jordan, O.D. Four new members to be sworn on May 19th include: 
Joseph Giaimo, D.O; Pamela Howard, M.D.; Fredrica Smith, M.D.; and 
Christopher Standaert, 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 March 3, 2008 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:
     Recovery Audit Contractors (RAC) Update.
     National Provider Indentifier (NPI) Update.
     CMS Quality Agenda, which includes the following:
     9th Scope of Work.
     Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) Update.
     Quality Measures: Hospital Compare; Nursing Home Compare.
    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 present a 5-minute oral testimony 
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 testimonies 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. 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 the 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, 
the Hubert H. Humphrey Building, Federal security measures are 
applicable. In planning your arrival time, we recommend allowing 
additional time to accommodate security procedures. 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 Hubert H. Humphrey Building and will not be 
permitted to attend the Council meeting.
    All persons entering the building are subject to inspection via 
metal detector or other means applicable. In addition, all items 
brought to the Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 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

[[Page 22423]]

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 FURTHER 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: April 4, 2008.
Kerry Weems,
Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. E8-8231 Filed 4-24-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P