[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 144 (Friday, July 25, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43451-43453]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-17057]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-1558-N]


Medicare Program; Request for Nominations and Meeting of the 
Practicing Physicians Advisory Council, August 18, 2008

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice invites all organizations representing physicians 
to submit nominations for consideration to fill two seats on the 
Practicing Physicians Advisory Council (the Council) that will be 
vacated by current Council members in 2009. This notice also announces 
a quarterly meeting of 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, August 18, 2008, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
e.d.t.
    Deadline for Registration Without Oral Presentation: Thursday, 
August 14, 2008, 12 noon, e.d.t.
    Deadline for Registration of Oral Presentations: Friday, August 1, 
2008, 12 noon, e.d.t.
    Deadline for Submission of Oral Remarks and Written Comments: 
Wednesday, August 6, 2008, 12 noon, e.d.t.
    Deadline for Requesting Special Accommodations: Monday, August 11, 
2008, 12 noon, e.d.t.
    Deadline for Submitting Nominations: Friday, September 12, 2008, 5 
p.m. e.d.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 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].
    Submission of Nominations: Mail or deliver nominations to the 
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Center for Medicare 
Management, Division of Provider Relations and Evaluations, Attention: 
Kelly Buchanan, Designated Federal Official, Practicing Physicians 
Advisory Council, 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop C4-13-07, 
Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850.

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-

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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.; Joseph A. Giaimo, D.O.; Jonathan E. 
Siff, M.D., MBA; John E. Arradondo, M.D., MPH; Fredrica E. Smith, M.D.; 
Pamela A. Howard, M.D.; Tye J. Ouzounian, M.D.; Christopher J. 
Standaert, M.D.; Arthur D. Snow, Jr., M.D.; Gregory J. Przybylski, 
M.D.; Jeffrey A. Ross, DPM, M.D.; Roger L. Jordan, O.D.; and Janice A. 
Kirsch, M.D.

II. Nomination Requirements

    Nominations must be submitted by medical organizations representing 
physicians. Nominees must have submitted at least 250 claims for 
physician services under the Medicare program in the previous year. 
Each nomination must state that the nominee has expressed a willingness 
to serve as a Council member and must be accompanied by a short resume 
or description of the nominee's experience. All candidates are advised 
to consider the time commitment of 1 full-day meeting, quarterly. If a 
candidate's current responsibilities preclude this level of commitment, 
we urge the individual to reconsider his or her nomination.
    To permit an evaluation of possible sources of conflicts of 
interest, potential candidates will be asked to provide detailed 
information concerning financial holdings, consultant positions, 
research grants, and contracts. Consideration will be given to each 
nominee with regard to his or her leadership credentials, geographic 
and demographic factors, and projected PPAC needs. Final selections 
will incorporate these criteria to maintain a committee membership that 
is fairly balanced in terms of points of view represented and the 
committee's function. Selections will be made by February 2009 with new 
members sworn in during the May 2009 meeting.
    Nominations to fill vacancies on the Council will be considered if 
received at the address listed in the ADDRESSES section of the notice, 
no later than the date listed in the DATES section of this notice. All 
nominating organizations will be notified in writing of those 
candidates selected for committee membership.

III. 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 May 19, 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:
     Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule
     Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) Update
     Demonstration Projects
     DME Update
     Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and 
Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Proposed Rules
     Medicare Contractor Provider Satisfaction Survey (MCPSS)
    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.

IV. 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 CMS Central Office, Federal security measures are applicable. In 
planning your arrival time, we recommend allowing additional time to 
clear security. 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

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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: July 8, 2008.
Kerry Weems,
Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. E8-17057 Filed 7-24-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P