[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 125 (Friday, June 27, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36529-36531]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-13828]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-1394-N]


Medicare Program; Second Semi-Annual Meeting of the Advisory 
Panel on Ambulatory Payment Classification Groups--August 27-29, 2008

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health 
and Human Services.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with section 10(a) of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2), this notice announces the 
second semi-annual meeting of the Advisory Panel on Ambulatory Payment 
Classification (APC) Groups (the Panel) for 2008. The purpose of the 
Panel is to review the APC groups and their associated weights and to 
advise the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services 
(DHHS) (the Secretary) and the Administrator of the Centers for 
Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) (the Administrator) concerning the 
clinical integrity of the APC groups and their associated weights. We 
will consider the Panel's advice as we prepare the final rule that 
updates the hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) for 
CY 2009.

DATES: Meeting Dates: We are scheduling the second semi-annual meeting 
in 2008 for the following dates and times:
     Wednesday, August 27, 2008, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. (e.d.t.) \1\
     Thursday, August 28, 2008, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (e.d.t.) \1\
     Friday, August 29, 2008, 8 a.m. to 12 noon (e.d.t.) \2\
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    \1\ The times listed in this notice are approximate times; 
consequently, the meetings may last longer than listed in this 
notice--but will not begin before the posted times.
    \2\ If the business of the Panel concludes on Thursday, August 
28, 2008, there will be no Friday (August 29, 2008) meeting.
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Deadlines

Deadline for Hardcopy Comments/Suggested Agenda Topics

5 p.m. (e.d.t.), Monday, August 4, 2008.

Deadline for Hardcopy Presentations

5 p.m. (e.d.t.), Monday, August 4, 2008.

Deadline for Attendance Registration

5 p.m. (e.d.t.), Wednesday, August 13, 2008.

Deadline for Special Accommodations

5 p.m. (e.d.t.), Wednesday, August 13, 2008.
    Submission of Materials to the Designated Federal Officer (DFO): 
Because of staffing and resource limitations, we cannot accept written 
comments and presentations by FAX, nor can we print written comments 
and presentations received electronically for dissemination at the 
meeting.
    Only hardcopy comments and presentations can be reproduced for 
public dissemination. All hardcopy presentations must be accompanied by 
Form CMS-20017 (revised 01/07). The form is now available through the 
CMS Forms Web site. The Uniform Resource Locator (URL) for linking to 
this form is as follows: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/cmsforms/downloads/cms20017.pdf.
    Presenters must use the most recent copy of CMS-20017 (updated 01/
07) at the above URL. Additionally, presenters must clearly explain the 
action(s) that they are requesting CMS to take in the appropriate 
section of the form. They must also clarify their relationship to the 
organization that they represent in the presentation.


[[Page 36530]]


    Note: Issues that are vague, or that are outside the scope of 
the APC Panel's purpose, will not be considered for presentations 
and comments. There will be no exceptions to this rule. We 
appreciate your cooperation on this matter.

    We are also requiring electronic versions of the written comments 
and presentations, in addition to the hardcopies, to be sent 
electronically to the Panel members for their review before the 
meeting.
    In summary, presenters and/or commenters must do the following:
     Send both electronic and hardcopy versions of their 
presentations and written comments by the prescribed deadlines.
     Send electronic transmissions to the e-mail address below.
     Do not send pictures of patients in any of the documents 
unless their faces have been blocked out.
     Do not send documents electronically that have been 
archived.
     Mail (or send by courier) to the DFO all hardcopies, 
accompanied by Form CMS-20017 (revised 01/07), if they are presenting, 
as specified in the FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice.
     Commenters are not required to send Form CMS-20017 with 
their written comments.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the Auditorium, CMS Central 
Office, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shirl Ackerman-Ross, DFO, CMS, CMM, 
HAPG, DOC, 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop C4-05-17, Baltimore, MD 
21244-1850. Phone: (410) 786-4474.

    Note: We recommend that you advise couriers of the following 
information: When delivering hardcopies of presentations to CMS, if 
no one answers at the above phone number, call (410) 786-4532 or 
(410) 786-9316.) E-mail address for comments, presentations, and 
registration requests is CMS [email protected].


    Note: There is NO underscore in this e-mail address; there is a 
SPACE between CMS and APCPanel.

    News media representatives must contact our Public Affairs Office 
at (202) 690-6145.
    Advisory Committees' Information Lines: The phone numbers for the 
CMS Federal Advisory Committee Hotline are 1-877-449-5659 (toll free) 
and (410) 786-9379 (local).
    Web Sites: The following information is available on the CMS Web 
site at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/FACA/05_AdvisoryPanelonAmbulatoryPaymentClassificationGroups.asp#TopOfPage.

    Note: There is an UNDERSCORE after FACA/05(like this--); there 
is no space.

     Additional information on the APC meeting agenda topics.
     Updates to the Panel's activities.
     Copies of the current Charter.
     Membership requirements.
    You may also search information about the APC Panel and its 
membership in the FACA database at the following URL: https://www.fido.gov/facadatabase/public.asp.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Secretary is required by section 1833(t)(9)(A) of the Social 
Security Act (the Act), as amended by section 201(h) of the Medicare, 
Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999 (BBRA) (Pub. 
L. 106-113), and re-designated by section 202(a)(2) of the BBRA to 
establish and consult with an expert outside advisory panel regarding 
the clinical integrity of the APC groups and weights that are 
components of the hospital OPPS.
    The APC Panel meets up to three times annually. The Charter 
requires that the Panel must be fairly balanced in its membership in 
terms of the points of view represented and the functions to be 
performed. The Panel consists of up to 15 members who are 
representatives of providers and a Chair.
    Each Panel member must be employed full-time by a hospital, 
hospital system, or other Medicare provider subject to payment under 
the OPPS. All Panel members must have technical expertise that enables 
them to participate fully in the work of the Panel. The expertise 
encompasses hospital payment systems, hospital medical-care delivery 
systems, provider billing systems, outpatient payment requirements, APC 
groups, Current Procedural Terminology codes, and the use and payment 
of drugs and medical devices in the outpatient setting, as well as 
other forms of relevant expertise. Details regarding membership 
requirements for the APC Panel are found on the FACA and CMS Web sites 
as listed above.
    The Panel presently consists of the following members:
     E.L. Hambrick, M.D., J.D., Chair.
     Gloryanne Bryant, B.S., R.H.I.A., R.H.I.T., C.C.S.
     Patrick Grusenmeyer, Sc.D.
     Hazel Kimmel, R.N., C.C.S., C.P.C.
     Michael Mills, Ph.D.
     Thomas Munger, M.D.
     Agatha Nolen, D.Ph., M.S.
     Beverly Khnie Philip, M.D.
     Louis Potters, M.D., F.A.C.R.
     Russ Ranallo, M.S.
     James V. Rawson, M.D.
     Michael Ross, M.D.
     Judie S. Snipes, R.N., M.B.A., F.A.C.H.E.
     Patricia Spencer-Cisek, M.S., APRN-BC, AOCN[supreg]
     Kim Allan Williams, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.A.B.C.
     Robert M. Zwolak, M.D., Ph.D. F.A.C.S.

II. Agenda

    The agenda for the August 2008 meeting will provide for discussion 
and comment on the following topics as designated in the Panel's 
Charter:
     Reconfiguring APCs (for example, splitting of APCs, moving 
Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes from one APC to 
another and moving HCPCS codes from new technology APCs to clinical 
APCs).
     Evaluating APC weights.
     Packaging device and drug costs into APCs: Methodology, 
effect on APCs, and need for reconfiguring APCs based upon device and 
drug packaging.
     Removing procedures from the inpatient list for payment 
under the OPPS.
     Using single and multiple procedure claims data.
     Addressing other APC structure technical issues.

    Note: The subject matter before the Panel will be limited to 
these and related topics. Issues related to calculation of the OPPS 
conversion factor, charge compression, pass-through payments, or 
wage adjustments are not within the scope of the Panel's purpose. 
Therefore, these issues will not be considered for presentations 
and/or comments. There will be no exceptions to this rule. We 
appreciate your cooperation on this matter.

    The Panel may use data collected or developed by entities and 
organizations, other than DHHS and CMS, in conducting its review. We 
recommend organizations to submit data for the Panel's and CMS staff's 
review.

III. Written Comments and Suggested Agenda Topics

    Send hardcopy and electronic written comments and suggested agenda 
topics to the DFO at the address indicated above. The DFO must receive 
these items by 5 p.m. (e.d.t.), Monday, August 4, 2008. There will be 
no exceptions. We appreciate your cooperation on this matter.
    The written comments and suggested agenda topics submitted for the 
August 2008 APC Panel meeting must fall within the subject categories 
outlined in the Panel's Charter and as listed in the Agenda section of 
this notice.

IV. Oral Presentations

    Individuals or organizations wishing to make 5-minute oral 
presentations must submit hardcopy and electronic versions of their 
presentations to the

[[Page 36531]]

DFO by 5 p.m. (e.d.t.), Monday, August 4, 2008, for consideration.
    The number of oral presentations may be limited by the time 
available. Oral presentations should not exceed 5 minutes in length for 
an individual or an organization.
    The Chair may further limit time allowed for presentations due to 
the number of oral presentations, if necessary.

V. Presenter and Presentation Information

    All presenters must submit Form CMS-20017 (revised 01/07). 
Hardcopies are required for oral presentations; however, electronic 
submissions of Form CMS-20017 are optional. The DFO must receive the 
following information from those wishing to make oral presentations:
     Form CMS-20017 completed with all pertinent information 
identified on the first page of the presentation.
     One hardcopy of presentation.
     Electronic copy of presentation.
     Personal registration information as described in the 
Meeting Attendance section below.
     Those persons wishing to submit comments only must send 
hardcopy and electronic versions of their comments, but they are not 
required to submit Form CMS-20017.

VI. Oral Comments

    In addition to formal oral presentations, there will be opportunity 
during the meeting for public oral comments, which will be limited to 1 
minute for each individual and a total of 3 minutes per organization.

VII. Meeting Attendance

    The meeting is open to the public; however, attendance is limited 
to space available. Attendance will be determined on a first-come, 
first-served basis.
    Persons wishing to attend this meeting, which is located on Federal 
property, must e-mail the DFO to register in advance no later than 5 
p.m. (e.d.t.), Wednesday, August 13, 2008. A confirmation will be sent 
to the requester(s) by return e-mail.
    The following personal information must be e-mailed to the DFO by 
the date and time above:
     Name(s) of attendee(s);
     Title(s);
     Organization;
     E-mail address(es); and
     Telephone number(s).

VIII. Security, Building, and Parking Guidelines

    Because this meeting will be located on Federal property, for 
security reasons, any persons wishing to attend this meeting must 
register by close of business on Wednesday, August 13, 2008. 
Individuals who have not registered in advance will not be allowed to 
enter the building to attend the meeting. Seating capacity is limited 
to the first 250 registrants.
    The on-site check-in for visitors will be held 30 to 45 minutes 
before the meeting start time each day. You should allow sufficient 
time to go through the security checkpoints. It is suggested that you 
arrive at 7500 Security Boulevard no later than 12:15 p.m. for the 1 
p.m. meeting on Wednesday, August 27, 2008. Plan to arrive at the 
building by 7:15 a.m. on Thursday, August 28, 2008 (and Friday, August 
29, 2008--if we have a meeting that day) to ensure that you are able to 
arrive promptly at the meeting by 8 a.m. All items brought to the 
building, whether personal or for the purpose of demonstration or to 
support a presentation, are subject to inspection.
    Security measures will include inspection of vehicles, inside and 
out, at the entrance to the grounds. In addition, all persons entering 
the building must pass through a metal detector. All items brought to 
CMS, including personal items such as desktops, cell phones, and palm 
pilots, are subject to physical inspection.
    The following are the security, building, and parking guidelines:
     Persons attending the meeting including presenters must be 
registered and on the attendance list by the prescribed date.
     Individuals who are not registered in advance will not be 
permitted to enter the building and will be unable to attend the 
meeting.
     Attendees must present photographic identification to the 
Federal Protective Service or Guard Service personnel before entering 
the building.
     Security measures include inspection of vehicles, inside 
and out, at the entrance to the grounds.
     The main-entrance guards will issue parking permits and 
instructions upon arrival at the building.
     The public may enter the building 30 to 45 minutes before 
the meeting convenes each day.
     All visitors must be escorted in areas other than the 
lower and first-floor levels in the Central Building.

IX. Special Accommodations

    Individuals requiring sign-language interpretation or other special 
accommodations must send a request for these services to the DFO by 5 
p.m. (e.d.t.), Wednesday, August 13, 2008.

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

    Dated: May 16, 2008.
Kerry Weems,
Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. E8-13828 Filed 6-26-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P