[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 187 (Tuesday, September 29, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50103-50104]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-22484]


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 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
 and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
 statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 187 / Tuesday, September 29, 2009 / 
Notices  

[[Page 50103]]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-1508-N]


Medicare Program; Town Hall Meeting on End-Stage Renal Disease 
Prospective Payment System

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the date, time, and location of the town 
hall meeting to discuss the Medicare End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) 
Prospective Payment System (PPS) proposed rule. This meeting provides a 
forum for interested parties including, but not limited to 
beneficiaries, caregivers, providers, and other industry 
representatives to make oral statements in response to the ESRD PPS 
proposed rule. The meeting is open to the public, but registration is 
required and attendance is limited to space available.

DATES: Meeting Date: The town hall meeting will be held on Wednesday, 
October 23, 2009, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., eastern daylight time 
(e.d.t.).
    Deadline for Registrations: Registrations must be received by 
October 2, 2009 by 5 p.m., e.d.t.
    Deadline for Special Accommodations: Special accommodations must be 
made by October 5, 2009. Special arrangements for medical equipment or 
medical devices must be made by October 9, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Meeting Location: The meeting will be held in the main 
auditorium at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 7500 
Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244.
    Meeting Registration: All individuals interested in attending the 
meeting must register at the following Web site: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/events/upcomingevents.asp?strOrderBy=1&type=3. 
Scroll down to the town hall meeting for the ESRD PPS Proposed Rule and 
select the register button to complete the required registration.
    Individuals interested in making oral presentations at the meeting 
must also register as attendees and register at the following Web site: 
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/esrdpayment/20_town_hall_speaker.asp. Scroll 
down to the town hall meeting for the ESRD PPS Proposed Rule and select 
the town hall speaker register URL link to complete the required 
registration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jean-Marie Moore or Brenda Hudson at 
410-786-8974.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 
(MIPPA) was enacted on July 15, 2008. Section 153(b) of MIPPA amended 
section 1881(b) of the Social Security Act to require the 
implementation of an end-stage renal disease (ESRD) bundled payment 
system effective January 1, 2011 (herein referred to as the ``ESRD 
PPS'').
    The ESRD PPS proposed rule, which appears elsewhere in this Federal 
Register, would implement a case-mix adjusted bundled prospective 
payment system (PPS) for Medicare outpatient ESRD dialysis facilities 
beginning January 1, 2011, in compliance with section 153(b) of MIPPA. 
The proposed ESRD PPS would replace the current basic case-mix adjusted 
composite payment system and the methodologies for the reimbursement of 
separately billable outpatient ESRD services.

II. Meeting Format

    The meeting will begin with a brief overview of the ESRD PPS 
proposed rule. The majority of the time allotted will be reserved for 
oral presentations from registered speakers.
    Individuals who wish to make an oral presentation must not only 
register to attend, but must also register to speak at the town hall 
meeting. In general, speaker registration will be accepted on a first 
come, first served basis. However, in the event, the number of speaker 
requests exceed the allotted timeframe for the town hall meeting, we 
reserve the right to select those speakers that will offer the broadest 
array of topics and viewpoints.
    The CMS meeting host will establish the sequencing order in which 
presentations will be delivered. All speakers will be working with a 
compact time limitation that will be enforced to permit as many 
presentations as possible. Registered speakers may not assign time to, 
or accept time from another speaker or attendee at the meeting. 
Speakers that choose to use handouts must bring 500 paper copies of any 
handout to the meeting.

III. Registration Instructions

    The Division of Chronic Care Management in the Center for Medicare 
Management is coordinating the town hall meeting registration. While 
there is no registration fee, for security purposes, individuals are 
required to register to attend. We note that prospective speakers are 
required to register separately as an attendee and speaker as specified 
in the ADDRESSES section of this notice by the date specified in the 
DATES section of this notice.
    Once seating capacity has been reached, individuals attempting to 
register will be notified that the meeting has reached capacity and 
given the option to listen to the proceedings by a toll-free phone line 
(as available slots permit).
    Registrants will receive separate confirmations regarding 
acceptance as an attendee and as a speaker. Speaker confirmations will 
also indicate the time allocations for speaking (anticipate 
approximately 5 minutes). In the event that a registered speaker 
becomes unable to attend, we request that the individual notify CMS as 
soon as possible using the contact listed in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice so that their time may be 
reallocated.

IV. Security, Building, and Parking Guidelines

    This meeting is being held in a Federal government facility; 
therefore, in planning your arrival, we recommend allowing additional 
time to clear security. In order to gain access to the building and 
grounds, participants must have with them a government issued photo 
identification (for example, driver's license or passport), and a copy 
of their written meeting registration

[[Page 50104]]

confirmation(s). In addition, participants must be listed on an 
approved security list before persons are permitted entrance. Persons 
without proper identification will be denied access.
    Individuals who are not registered in advance will not be permitted 
to enter the facility and will be unable to attend the meeting. 
Registered participants may not enter the building earlier than 7 a.m., 
e.d.t. on October 23, 2009. However, we encourage individuals to arrive 
no later than 8:15 a.m., e.d.t. to allow sufficient time to go through 
the security checkpoints at the gate to the compound, and to the 
Central Building lobby.
    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.
    CMS cannot assume responsibility for coordinating the receipt, 
transfer, transport, storage, set-up, safety, or timely arrival of any 
personal belongings or items used for demonstration or to support a 
presentation.
    Individuals requiring sign language interpretation or other special 
accommodation must contact the Designated Federal Office specified in 
the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice by the date 
specified in the DATES section of this notice.
    It is possible that requests made in advance of the public meeting 
may be denied because of unique safety, security or handling concerns.
    Parking permits and instructions are issued upon arrival by guards 
at the Security Boulevard main entrance.
    All visitors must be escorted in areas other than the lower level 
lobby, cafeteria, auditorium and first-floor lobby in the Central 
Building. All visitors are responsible for making their own travel 
arrangements for both arrival at and departure from the town hall 
meeting.

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

    Dated: September 3, 2009.
Charlene Frizzera,
Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. E9-22484 Filed 9-15-09; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P