[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