[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 207 (Friday, October 24, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63486-63487]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-24898]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-1559-N]


Medicare Program; Meeting of the Practicing Physicians Advisory 
Council, December 8, 2008

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

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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. This meeting is open to the public.

DATES: Meeting Date: Monday, December 8, 2008, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
e.s.t.
    Deadline for Registration without Oral Presentation: Thursday, 
December 4, 2008, 12 noon, e.s.t.
    Deadline for Registration of Oral Presentations: Friday, November 
21, 2008, 12 noon, e.s.t.
    Deadline for Submission of Oral Remarks and Written Comments: 
Wednesday, November 26, 2008, 12 noon, e.s.t.
    Deadline for Requesting Special Accommodations: Monday, December 1, 
2008, 12 noon, e.s.t.

ADDRESSES: Meeting Location: The meeting will be held in Room 505A, 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 of Health and 
Human Services (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

[[Page 63487]]

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. 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 August 18, 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 Final Rule.
     Outpatient Prospective Payment System, (OPPS)/Ambulatory 
Surgical Center (ASC) Fee Schedule Final Rule.
     Stark Reform.
     Value Based Purchasing-Efficiency Measures.
     CMS-FDA Collaboration.
     Medically Unlikely Edits (MUE) Update.
    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 the number listed in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice 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 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 Hubert H. Humphrey Building 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 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 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: October 9, 2008.
Kerry Weems,
Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
 [FR Doc. E8-24898 Filed 10-23-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P