[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 122 (Friday, June 24, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37121-37123]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-15903]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-1584-N]


Medicare Program; Second Semi-Annual Meeting of the Advisory 
Panel on Ambulatory Payment Classification Groups--August 10, 2011 
Through August 12, 2011

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health 
and Human Services.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the second semi-annual meeting of the 
Advisory Panel on Ambulatory Payment Classification (APC) Groups (the 
Panel) for 2011. The purpose of the Panel is to review the APC groups 
and their associated weights and to advise the Secretary of the 
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) (the Secretary) and the 
Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) 
(the Administrator) concerning the clinical integrity of the APC groups 
and their associated weights. We will consider the Panel's advice as we 
prepare the final rule that would update the hospital Outpatient 
Prospective Payment System (OPPS) for CY 2012.

DATES: Meeting Dates: We are scheduling the second semi-annual meeting 
in 2011 for the following dates and times:
     Wednesday, August 10, 2011, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. eastern 
standard time (e.s.t.) \1\
     Thursday, August 11, 2011, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (e.s.t.) \1\
     Friday, August 12, 2011, 8 a.m. to 12 Noon (e.s.t.) \2\

    Note: \1\ The times listed in this notice are approximate times; 
consequently, the meetings may last longer than listed in this 
notice, but will not begin before the posted times.
    \2\ If the Panel's business concludes on Thursday, August, 11, 
2011, there will be no meeting on Friday, August, 12, 2011.

Deadlines

    Deadline for Hardcopy Comments and electronic format suggested 
agenda topics--5 p.m. (e.s.t.), Friday, July 15, 2011.
    Deadline for Hardcopy Presentations, including the required 
electronic documents as discussed below--5 p.m. (e.s.t.), Friday, July 
15, 2011.
    Deadline for Attendance Registration--5 p.m. (e.s.t.), Wednesday, 
July 27, 2011.
    Deadline for Special Accommodations--5 p.m. (e.s.t.), Wednesday, 
July 27, 2011.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the Auditorium, the Centers for 
Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Central Office, 7500 Security 
Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paula Smith, Designated Federal 
Officer (DFO), CMS, CMM, HAPG, DOC, 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop 
C4-05-17, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850. Phone: (410) 786-3985.

    Note:  We recommend that you advise couriers of the following 
information: When

[[Page 37122]]

delivering hardcopies of presentations to CMS, if no one answers at 
the above phone number, please call (410) 786-4532 or (410) 786-
7267.

    The e-mail address for comments, presentations, and registration 
requests is [email protected].
    News media representatives must contact our Public Affairs Office 
at (202) 690-6145.
    Advisory Committees' Information Lines: The phone numbers for the 
CMS Federal Advisory Committee Hotline are 1-877-449-5659 (toll free) 
and (410) 786-9379 (local).
    Web Sites: For additional information on the APC Panel and updates 
to the Panel's activities, we refer readers to our Web site available 
at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/FACA/05_AdvisoryPanelonAmbulatoryPaymentClassificationGroups.asp#TopOfPage.

    Note:  There is an UNDERSCORE after FACA/05; there is no space 
between the underscore and the capital A. You may also search 
information about the APC Panel and its membership in the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act (FACA) database at the following URL: https://www.fido.gov/facadatabase/public.asp.

Submission of Materials to the Designated Federal Officer (DFO)

    We require electronic versions of the written comments and 
presentations, in addition to hardcopies. Because of staffing and 
resource limitations, we cannot accept written comments and 
presentations by FAX, nor can we print written comments and 
presentations received electronically for dissemination at the meeting. 
Only hardcopy comments and presentations can be reproduced for public 
dissemination. All hardcopy presentations must be accompanied by Form 
CMS-20017 (revised May 2011). The form is now available through the CMS 
Forms Web site. To download Form CMS-20017, visit the following Web 
site: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/cmsforms/downloads/cms20017.pdf. 
Additionally, presenters must clearly explain the action that they are 
requesting CMS to take in the appropriate section of the form. They 
must also state their relationship to the organization that they are 
representing in the presentation.

    Note:  Issues that are vague, or that are outside the scope of 
the APC Panel's purpose, will not be considered for presentations 
and comments. There will be no exceptions to this rule. We 
appreciate your cooperation on this matter.

    In summary, presenters and/or commenters must do the following:
     Send both electronic and hardcopy versions of their 
presentations and written comments by the prescribed deadlines.
     Send electronic transmissions to the e-mail address below.
     Mail (or send by courier) to the Designated Federal 
Officer (DFO) all hardcopies, accompanied by Form CMS-20017 (revised 
01/07), if they are presenting, as specified in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice.
     Commenters not presenting at the APC panel meeting are not 
required to send Form CMS-20017 with their written comments.
     Do not send images of patients in any of the documents 
unless their faces have been covered.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Secretary is required by section 1833(t)(9)(A) of the Social 
Security Act (the Act) to consult with an expert, outside advisory 
panel on the clinical integrity of the APC groups and weights 
established under the Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment 
System (OPPS).
    The APC Panel meets up to three times annually. The Panel consists 
of up to 15 members, who are representatives of providers, and a Chair.
    Each Panel member must be employed full-time by a hospital, 
hospital system, or other Medicare provider subject to payment under 
the OPPS. The Secretary or Administrator selects the Panel membership 
based upon either self-nominations or nominations submitted by Medicare 
providers and other interested organizations.
    All members must have technical expertise to enable them to 
participate fully in the Panel's work. The expertise encompasses 
hospital payment systems; hospital medical care delivery systems; 
provider billing systems; APC groups; Current Procedural Terminology 
(CPT) codes; and alpha-numeric Health Care Common Procedure Coding 
System (HCPCS) codes; and the use of, and payment for, drugs, medical 
devices, and other services in the outpatient setting, as well as other 
forms of relevant expertise. Details regarding membership requirements 
for the APC Panel are found on the FACA and CMS Web sites as listed 
above.
    The Panel presently consists of the following members: (Note: The 
asterisk [*] indicates the Panel members whose terms end on September 
30, 2011.)
     E. L. Hambrick, M.D., J.D., Chair, CMS Medical Officer.
     Ruth L. Bush, M.D., M.P.H.
     Kari S. Cornicelli, C.P.A., FHFMA.
     Dawn L. Francis, M.D., M.H.S.
     Kathleen Graham, R.N., M.S.H.A., C.P.H.Q., A.C.M.
     Patrick A. Grusenmeyer, Sc.D., F.A.C.H.E.*
     David Halsey, M.D.
     Brian D. Kavanagh, M.D., M.P.H.
     Judith T. Kelly, B.S.H.A., R.H.I.T., R.H.I.A., C.C.S.
     Scott Manaker, M.D., PhD
     John Marshall, CRA, RCC, RT.
     Agatha L. Nolen, PhD, M.S., F.A.S.H.P.*
     Randall A. Oyer, M.D.
     Daniel Pothen, M.S., R.H.I.A., C.P.H.I.M.S., C.C.S.P, 
C.H.C.
     Gregory Przybylski, M.D.
     Neville B. Sarkari, M.D., FACP.

II. Agenda

    The agenda for the August 2011 meeting will provide for discussion 
and comment on the following topics as designated in the Panel's 
Charter:
     Addressing whether procedures within an APC group are 
similar both clinically and in terms of resource use.
     Evaluating APC group weights.
     Reviewing packaging the cost of items and services, 
including drugs and devices, into procedures and services, including 
the methodology for packaging and the impact of packaging the cost of 
those items and services on APC group structure and payment.
     Removing procedures from the inpatient list for payment 
under the OPPS.
     Using claims and cost report data for CMS' determination 
of APC group weights.
     Addressing other technical issues concerning APC group 
structure.

    Note:  The subject matter before the Panel will be limited to 
these and related topics. Issues related to calculation of the OPPS 
conversion factor, charge compression, revisions to the cost report, 
pass-through payments, payment adjustments, or correct code usage 
are not within the scope of the Panel's purpose. Therefore, these 
issues will not be considered for presentations or comments. There 
will be no exceptions to this rule. We appreciate your cooperation 
on this matter.

    The Panel may use data collected or developed by entities and 
organizations other than the Department of Health and Human Services 
(DHHS) and CMS in conducting its review. We recommend that 
organizations submit data for the Panel's and CMS' review.

III. Written Comments and Suggested Agenda Topics

    Hardcopy and electronic written comments and suggested agenda 
topics should be sent to the DFO as specified

[[Page 37123]]

in the ADDRESSES section of this notice. The DFO must receive these 
items by 5 p.m. (e.s.t.), Friday, July 15, 2011. We appreciate your 
cooperation on this matter.

IV. Oral Presentations

    Individuals or organizations wishing to make 5-minute oral 
presentations must submit hardcopy and electronic versions of their 
presentations to the DFO by 5 p.m. (e.s.t.), Friday, July 15, 2011.
    The number of oral presentations may be limited by the time 
available. Oral presentations cannot exceed 5 minutes in length for an 
individual or an organization.
    The Chair may further limit time allowed for presentations due to 
the number of oral presentations, if necessary. Presentation times 
listed in the public agenda are approximate and presenters should be 
prepared to present earlier and later than indicated.

V. Presenter and Presentation Information

    All presenters must submit Form CMS-20017 (Revised 05/11) that is 
required for all oral presentations. The DFO must receive the following 
information from those wishing to make oral presentations:
     The Form CMS-20017 (Revised 05/11) with all pertinent 
information completed.
     One hardcopy of presentation.
     Electronic copy of presentation.
     Personal registration information as described in the 
``Meeting Attendance'' section below.
     Those persons wishing to submit written comments only (and 
not make a 5 minute oral presentation at the Panel meeting) must send 
hardcopy and electronic versions of their comments, but they are not 
required to submit the Form CMS-20017 (Revised 05/11).

VI. Oral Comments

    In addition to formal oral presentations, there will be opportunity 
during the meeting for public oral comments, which will be limited to 1 
minute for each individual and a total of 3 minutes per organization.

VII. Meeting Attendance

    The meeting is open to the public; however, attendance is limited 
to space available. Attendance will be determined on a first-come, 
first-served basis.
    Persons wishing to attend this meeting, which is located on Federal 
property, must e-mail the DFO to register in advance no later than 5 
p.m. (e.s.t.), Wednesday, July 27, 2011. A confirmation will be sent to 
the requester(s) by return e-mail.
    The following personal information must be e-mailed to the DFO by 
the date and time above:
     Name(s) of attendee(s).
     Title(s).
     Organization including address(es).
     E-mail address(es).
     Telephone number(s).

VIII. Security, Building, and Parking Guidelines

    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.
    This meeting will be held in a Federal government building; 
therefore, Federal security measures are applicable. We recommend that 
confirmed registrants arrive reasonably early, but no earlier than 45 
minutes before the start of the meeting, to allow additional time to 
clear security. Security measures include the following:
     Presentation of government-issued photographic 
identification to the Federal Protective Service or Guard Service 
personnel.
     Inspection of vehicle's interior and exterior (this 
includes engine and trunk inspection) at the entrance to the grounds. 
Parking permits and instructions will be issued after the vehicle 
inspection.
     Inspection, via metal detector or other applicable means 
of all persons brought entering the building. We note that all items 
brought into CMS, whether personal or for the purpose of presentation 
or to support a 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 presentation or to support a presentation.

    Note:  Individuals who are not registered in advance will not be 
permitted to enter the building and will be unable to attend the 
meeting. The public may not enter the building earlier than 45 
minutes before the convening of the meeting.
    All visitors must be escorted in areas other than the lower and 
first floor levels in the Central Building.

IX. Special Accommodations

    Individuals requiring sign-language interpretation or other special 
accommodations must send a request for these services to the DFO by 5 
p.m. (e.s.t.), Wednesday, July 27, 2011.

X. Panel Recommendations and Discussions

    The Panel's recommendations at any APC Panel meeting generally are 
not final until they have been reviewed and approved by the Panel on 
the last day before the final adjournment.

XI. Collection of Information Requirements

    This document does not impose information collection and 
recordkeeping requirements. Consequently, it need not be reviewed by 
the Office of Management and Budget under the authority of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35).

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


    Dated: June 15, 2011.
Donald M. Berwick,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 2011-15903 Filed 6-23-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P