[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 87 (Friday, May 4, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26553-26554]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-10702]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-8050-N]


Medicare Program; Meeting of the Medicare Economic Index 
Technical Advisory Panel--May 21, 2012

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

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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

SUMMARY: This notice announces that a public meeting of the Medicare 
Economic Index Technical Advisory Panel (``the Panel'') will be held on 
Monday, May 21, 2012. The purpose of the Panel is to review all aspects 
of the Medicare Economic Index (MEI). This first meeting will focus on 
MEI inputs and input weights. This meeting is open to the public in 
accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. 2, 
section 10(a)).

DATES: Meeting Date: The public meeting will be held on Monday, May 21, 
2012 from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
    Deadline for Submission of Written Comments: Written comments must 
be received at the mailing or email address specified in the section of 
this notice entitled, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, by 5 p.m. EDT, 
Monday, May 14, 2012. Once submitted, all comments are final.
    Deadlines for Speaker Registration and Presentation Materials: The 
deadline to register to be a speaker and to submit PowerPoint 
presentation materials and writings that will be used in support of an 
oral presentation is 5 p.m., EDT, Monday, May 14, 2012. Speakers may 
register by contacting Toya Via, HCD International, by phone at (301) 
552-8803 or via email at [email protected]. Materials that will be used 
in support of an oral presentation must be received at the mailing or 
email address specified in the section entitled, FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT, by 5 p.m., EDT, Monday, May 14, 2012.
    Deadline for All Other Attendees Registration: Individuals may 
register online at http://www.hcdi.com/mei/ or by phone by contacting 
Toya Via, HCD International, at (301) 552-8803 by 5 p.m. EDT, Monday, 
May 14, 2012.
    We will be broadcasting the meeting live via Webcast. Webcast 
details will be sent to registered attendees.
    Deadline for Submitting a Request for Special Accommodations: 
Persons attending the meeting who are hearing or visually impaired, or 
have a condition that requires special assistance or accommodations, 
are asked to contact the Designated Federal Officer as specified in the 
section entitled, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, by 5 p.m., EDT, 
Monday, May 14, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Meeting Location: The meeting will be held in Room C-114 of 
the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, 
Baltimore, MD 21244.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Poisal, Designated Federal 
Officer, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Office of the 
Actuary, Mail stop N3-02-02, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 
21244 or contact Mr. Poisal by phone at (410) 786-6397 or via email at 
[email protected]. Press inquiries are handled through the CMS 
Press Office at (202) 690-6145.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Medicare Economic Index Technical Advisory Panel (``the 
Panel'') was established by the Secretary to conduct a technical review 
of the Medicare Economic Index (MEI). The review will include the 
inputs, input weights, price-measurement proxies, and productivity 
adjustment. For more information on the Panel, see the October 7, 2011 
Federal Register (76 FR 62415). You may view and obtain a copy of the 
Secretary's charter for the Panel at https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/FACA/MEITAP.html. The members of the Panel are: 
Dr. Ernst Berndt, Dr. Robert Berenson, Dr. Zachary Dyckman, Dr. Kurt 
Gillis, and Ms. Kathryn Kobe.
    This notice announces the Wednesday, May 21, 2012 public meeting of 
the Panel. This meeting will focus on MEI inputs and input weights.

II. Meeting Format

    This meeting is open to the public. There will be up to 45 minutes 
allotted at this meeting for the Panel to hear oral presentations from 
the public. Time allotted for each presentation may be limited. If the 
number of registrants requesting to speak is greater than can be 
reasonably accommodated during the scheduled open public hearing 
session, we may conduct a lottery to determine the speakers for the 
scheduled open public hearing session. The contact person will notify 
interested persons regarding their request to speak by 5 p.m., EDT, 
Wednesday, May 16, 2012. Any presentations that are not selected based 
on the lottery will be forwarded to the panel for consideration. For 
this meeting, public comments should focus on the MEI inputs and input 
weights. We require that you declare at the meeting whether you have 
any financial involvement with manufacturers (or their competitors) of 
any items or services being discussed.
    The Panel will deliberate openly on the topics under consideration. 
Interested persons may observe the deliberations, but the Panel will 
not hear further comments during this time except at the request of the 
chairperson. The Panel will also allow up to 15 minutes for an 
unscheduled open public session for any attendee to address issues 
specific to the topics under consideration.

III. Registration Instructions

    HCD International is coordinating meeting registration. While there 
is no registration fee, individuals must register to attend. You may 
register online at http://www.hcdi.com/mei/or by phone by contacting 
Toya Via, HCD International, at (301) 552-8803, by 5 p.m. EDT, Monday, 
May 14, 2012. Please provide your full name (as it

[[Page 26554]]

appears on your government-issued photographic identification), 
address, organization, telephone, and email address. At the time of 
registration, you will be asked to designate if you plan to attend in 
person or via webinar. You will receive a registration confirmation 
with instructions for your arrival at the CMS complex or you will be 
notified that the seating capacity has been reached.

IV. Security, Building, and Parking Guidelines

    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 prior to 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 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 
prior to the convening of the meeting.
    All visitors must be escorted in areas other than the lower and 
first floor levels in the Central Building.

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. App. 2, section 10(a).

    Dated: April 27, 2012.
Marilyn B. Tavenner,
Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 2012-10702 Filed 5-3-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P