[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 164 (Friday, August 22, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49683-49684]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-19564]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-1405-N]


Medicare Program; Medicare Provider Feedback Group Town Hall 
Meeting--September 22, 2008

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

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the annual Medicare Provider Feedback 
Group (MPFG) Town Hall meeting. This meeting is open to all Medicare 
fee-for-service (FFS) providers and suppliers that participate in the 
Medicare program, including physicians, hospitals, home health 
agencies, third-party billers, and interested parties, to present their 
individual views and opinions on selected FFS Medicare topics. In 
addition, we will be soliciting input on how we can improve 
communications to better serve the Medicare providers and suppliers.

DATES: Meeting Date: The Town Hall meeting announced in this notice 
will be held on Monday, September 22, 2008 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. EDT.

ADDRESSES: Meeting Location: The Town Hall meeting will be held in the 
main auditorium of the central building of the Centers for Medicare and 
Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244. The 
meeting will also be available by teleconference.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colette Shatto, (410) 786-6932. You 
may also send inquiries about this meeting via e-mail to 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    Since 2005, CMS has held four Medicare Provider Feedback Group 
(MPFG) Town Hall meetings. The purpose of these meetings is to capture 
individual provider and supplier feedback on relevant Fee-For-Service 
(FFS) Medicare policy and operational issues. These meetings allow us 
to further advance our efforts to strengthen the Medicare program and 
enhance our relationship with providers and suppliers. The meetings 
also provide a venue to allow us to continue a process of communication 
with individual providers and suppliers through the following year.

II. Meeting Format and Agenda

    The meeting will begin with an overview of the goals and objectives 
of the MPFG efforts to gather feedback from individual Medicare 
providers and suppliers. This meeting will be held on-site at CMS and 
by teleconference. The meeting agenda and discussion materials will be 
available to download by September 19, 2008. These materials can be 
located at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/center/provider.asp.
    The feedback provided during this meeting will assist us as we 
evaluate FFS Medicare policy, operational issues, and CMS' provider and 
supplier communication activities. Topics to be discussed include, but 
are not limited to, 5010 (possible next version of HIPAA standards for 
claims and other transactions), Medicare Administrative Contract 
Transitions, and Recovery Auditing.
    There will be a question and answer session that offers meeting 
participants an opportunity to provide feedback on how CMS services 
physicians, providers and suppliers, as well as make suggestions on how 
this process can be improved. Time for participants to ask questions or 
provide feedback will be limited according to the number of registered 
participants; however, written submissions will be accepted. 
Individuals who wish to provide written feedback should e-mail that 
feedback to Colette Shatto at [email protected]. Written feedback will be 
accepted through September 30, 2008.
    Consideration will be given to feedback received on the topics 
discussed at the meeting, but written responses will not be provided. 
The meeting is open to the public, but on-site attendance is limited to 
space available. Registered participants from the meeting will be 
included in the MPFG and may be contacted throughout the year for 
follow-up meetings to solicit additional opinions or clarify any issues 
that may arise from the September 22, 2008 meeting.

III. Registration Instructions

    The Division of Provider Relations and Evaluations, Provider 
Communications Group, Center for Medicare Management is coordinating 
the meeting registration. While there is no registration fee, 
individuals, providers, and suppliers must register to participate both 
on-site and by teleconference. Individuals must complete the on-line 
registration located at http://registration.intercall.com/go/cms2.
    The on-line registration system will capture contact information 
and practice characteristics (for example, names, e-mail addresses, and 
provider, and supplier types). Registration will be open beginning 
August 29, 2008 and will close on September 17, 2008. Registration 
after 5 p.m. EDT on September 17, 2008 will not be accepted.
    The on-line registration system will generate a confirmation page 
to indicate the completion of your registration. Participants should 
print this page as his or her registration receipt. Teleconference 
instructions will be issued as part of the confirmation page once 
participants have registered through the on-line registration 
instrument. If seating capacity has been reached for on-site 
participants, notification will be sent that the meeting has reached 
capacity; however, those wishing to participate may still do so by 
teleconference.

IV. 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 5 p.m. EDT on September 17, 2008. Individuals who have not 
registered by the registration deadline will not be allowed to enter 
the building to attend the meeting or attend the meeting by 
teleconference. Seating capacity is limited to the first 250 
registrants.
    The on-site check-in for visitors will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 
1:30 p.m. EDT. Participants should allow sufficient time to go through 
the security checkpoints. It is suggested that participants arrive at 
7500 Security Boulevard no later than 1:30 p.m. EDT in order to arrive 
promptly at the meeting by 2 p.m.
    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 
the building, whether personal or for the purpose of demonstration or 
to support a presentation, are subject to inspection. 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

[[Page 49684]]

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 building and will not be permitted to 
attend the meeting.
    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 Designated Federal Officer specified in 
the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice by September 
17, 2008.

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

    Dated: August 19, 2008.
Kerry Weems,
Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
 [FR Doc. E8-19564 Filed 8-21-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P