[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 37 (Thursday, February 25, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9483-9485]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04091]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-7040-N]


Health Insurance Marketplace\SM\, Medicare, Medicaid, and the 
Children's Health Insurance Program; Meeting of the Advisory Panel on 
Outreach and Education (APOE)

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

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the new meeting of the Advisory Panel on 
Outreach and Education (APOE) (the Panel) in accordance with the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act. The Panel advises and makes 
recommendations to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and 
Human Services (HHS) and the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare 
& Medicaid Services (CMS) on opportunities to enhance the effectiveness 
of Health Insurance Marketplace\SM\,\1\ Medicare, Medicaid, and 
Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) consumer education 
strategies. This meeting is open to the public.
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    \1\ Health Insurance Marketplace\SM\ and Marketplace\SM\ are 
service marks of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

DATES: 
    Meeting Date: Wednesday, March 23, 2016, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 
eastern daylight time (e.d.t.).
    Deadline for Meeting Registration, Presentations, Special 
Accommodations and Comments: Wednesday, March 9, 2016, 5:00 p.m., 
eastern standard time (e.s.t.).

ADDRESSES: 
    Meeting Location: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 
Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue SW., Room 425A, 
Conference Room, Washington, DC 20201.
    Presentations and Written Comments: Presentations and written 
comments should be submitted to: Abigail Huffman, Designated Federal 
Official (DFO), Division of Forum and Conference Development, Office of 
Communications, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 Security 
Boulevard, Mailstop S1 05-06, Baltimore, MD 21244 1850 or via email at 
[email protected].
    Registration: The meeting is open to the public, but attendance is 
limited to the space available. Persons wishing to attend this meeting 
must register at the Web site https://www.regonline.com/apoemar2016meeting or by contacting the DFO as listed in the FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice, by the date listed 
in the DATES section of this notice. Individuals requiring sign 
language interpretation or other special accommodations should contact 
the DFO at the address listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice 
by the date listed in the DATES section of this notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Abigail Huffman, Designated Federal 
Official, Office of Communications, CMS, 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail 
Stop S1-05-06, Baltimore, MD 21244, 410-786-0897, email 
[email protected]. Additional information about the APOE is 
available on the Internet at: http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/FACA/APOE.html. Press inquiries are handled through 
the CMS Press Office at (202) 690-6145.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Advisory Panel for Outreach and Education (APOE) (the Panel) is 
governed by the provisions of Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) 
(Pub. L. 92-463), as amended (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2), which sets forth 
standards for the formation and use of federal advisory committees. The 
Panel is authorized by section 1114(f) of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 1314(f)) and section 222 of the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 217a).
    The Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 
(HHS) (the Secretary) signed the charter establishing the Citizen's 
Advisory Panel on Medicare Education \2\ (the predecessor to the APOE) 
on January 21, 1999 (64 FR 7899, February 17, 1999) to advise and make 
recommendations to the Secretary and the Administrator of the Centers 
for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on the effective implementation 
of national Medicare education programs, including with respect to the 
Medicare+Choice (M+C) program added by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 
(Pub. L. 105-33).
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    \2\ We note that the Citizens' Advisory Panel on Medicare 
Education is also referred to as the Advisory Panel on Medicare 
Education (65 FR 4617). The name was updated in the Second Amended 
Charter approved on July 24, 2000.
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    The Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) (Pub. L. 108-173) 
expanded the existing health plan options and benefits available under 
the M+C program and renamed it the Medicare Advantage (MA) program. We 
have had substantial responsibilities to provide information to 
Medicare beneficiaries about the range of health plan options available 
and better tools to evaluate these options. The successful MA program 
implementation required CMS to consider the views and policy input from 
a variety of private sector constituents and to develop a broad range 
of public-private partnerships.
    In addition, Title I of the MMA authorized the Secretary and the 
Administrator of CMS (by delegation) to establish the Medicare 
prescription drug benefit. The drug benefit allows beneficiaries to 
obtain qualified prescription drug coverage. In order to effectively 
administer the MA program and the Medicare prescription drug benefit, 
we have substantial responsibilities to provide information to Medicare 
beneficiaries about the range of health plan options and benefits 
available, and to develop better tools to evaluate these plans and 
benefits.
    The Affordable Care Act (Patient Protection and Affordable Care 
Act, Pub. L. 111-148, and Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act 
of 2010, Pub. L. 111-152) expanded the availability of other options 
for health care coverage and enacted a number of changes to Medicare as 
well as to Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). 
Qualified individuals and qualified employers are

[[Page 9484]]

now able to purchase private health insurance coverage through 
competitive marketplaces, called Affordable Insurance Exchanges (we 
also call an Exchange a Health Insurance Marketplace\SM\ or 
Marketplace\SM\). In order to effectively implement and administer 
these changes, we must provide information to consumers, providers, and 
other stakeholders through education and outreach programs regarding 
how existing programs will change and the expanded range of health 
coverage options available, including private health insurance coverage 
through a Marketplace\SM\. The APOE (the Panel) allows us to consider a 
broad range of views and information from interested audiences in 
connection with this effort and to identify opportunities to enhance 
the effectiveness of education strategies concerning the Affordable 
Care Act.
    The scope of this panel also includes advising on issues pertaining 
to the education of providers and stakeholders with respect to the 
Affordable Care Act and certain provisions of the Health Information 
Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act enacted as 
part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
    On January 21, 2011, the Panel's charter was renewed and the Panel 
was renamed the Advisory Panel for Outreach and Education. The Panel's 
charter was most recently renewed on January 21, 2015, and will 
terminate on January 21, 2017 unless renewed by appropriate action.
    Under the current charter, the APOE will advise the Secretary and 
the Administrator on optimal strategies for the following:
     Developing and implementing education and outreach 
programs for individuals enrolled in, or eligible for, Medicare, 
Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or 
coverage available through a Health Insurance Marketplace\SM\.
     Enhancing the federal government's effectiveness in 
informing Health Insurance Marketplace\SM\, Medicare, Medicaid, and 
CHIP consumers, issuers, providers, and stakeholders, through education 
and outreach programs, on issues regarding these programs, including 
the appropriate use of public-private partnerships to leverage the 
resources of the private sector in educating beneficiaries, providers, 
and stakeholders.
     Expanding outreach to vulnerable and underserved 
communities, including racial and ethnic minorities, in the context of 
Health Insurance Marketplace\SM\, Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP 
education programs.
     Assembling and sharing an information base of ``best 
practices'' for helping consumers evaluate health coverage options.
     Building and leveraging existing community infrastructures 
for information, counseling, and assistance.
     Drawing the program link between outreach and education, 
promoting consumer understanding of health care coverage choices, and 
facilitating consumer selection/enrollment, which in turn support the 
overarching goal of improved access to quality care, including 
prevention services, envisioned under the Affordable Care Act.
    The current members of the Panel are: Kellan Baker, Associate 
Director, Center for American Progress; Robert Blancato, President, 
Matz, Blancato & Associates; Dale Blasier, Professor of Orthopedic 
Surgery, Department of Orthopedics, Arkansas Children's Hospital; 
Deborah Britt, Executive Director of Community & Public Relations, 
Piedmont Fayette Hospital; Deena Chisolm, Associate Professor of 
Pediatrics & Public Health, The Ohio State University, Nationwide 
Children's Hospital; Josephine DeLeon, Director, Anti-Poverty 
Initiatives, Catholic Charities of California; Robert Espinoza, Vice 
President of Policy, Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute; Jennifer 
Gross, Manager of Political Field Operations, Planned Parenthood of 
Montana; Louise Scherer Knight, Director, The Sidney Kimmel 
Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins; Miriam Mobley-Smith, 
Director of Strategic Alliances, Pharmacy Technician Certification 
Board; Roanne Osborne-Gaskin, M.D., Senior Medical Director, MDWise, 
Inc.; Cathy Phan, Outreach and Education Coordinator, Asian American 
Health Coalition DBA HOPE Clinic; Kamilah Pickett, Litigation Support, 
Independent Contractor; Brendan Riley, Outreach and Enrollment 
Coordinator, NC Community Health Center Association; Jeanne Ryer, 
Director, New Hampshire Citizens Health Initiative, University of New 
Hampshire; Alvia Siddiqi, Medicaid Managed Care Community Network 
(MCCN) Medical Director, Advocate Physician Partners, Carla Smith, 
Executive Vice President, Healthcare Information and Management Systems 
Society (HIMSS); Tobin Van Ostern, Vice President and Co-Founder, Young 
Invincible Advisors; and Paula Villescaz, Senior Consultant, Assembly 
Health Committee, California State Legislature.

II. Meeting Agenda

    In accordance with section 10(a) of the FACA, this notice announces 
a meeting of the APOE. The agenda for the March 23, 2016 meeting will 
include the following:

 Welcome and listening session with CMS leadership
 Recap of the previous (January 13, 2016) meeting
 Affordable Care Act initiatives
 An opportunity for public comment
 Meeting summary, review of recommendations, and next steps

    Individuals or organizations that wish to make a 5-minute oral 
presentation on an agenda topic should submit a written copy of the 
oral presentation to the DFO at the address listed in the ADDRESSES 
section of this notice by the date listed in the DATES section of this 
notice. The number of oral presentations may be limited by the time 
available. Individuals not wishing to make a presentation may submit 
written comments to the DFO at the address listed in the ADDRESSES 
section of this notice by the date listed in the DATES section of this 
notice.

III. Security, Building, and Parking Guidelines

    This meeting will be held in a federal government building; 
therefore, federal security measures are applicable. The Real ID Act, 
enacted in 2005, establishes minimum standards for the issuance of 
state-issued driver's licenses and identification (ID) cards. It 
prohibits Federal agencies from accepting an official driver's license 
or ID card from a state unless the Department of Homeland Security 
determines that the state meets these standards. Beginning October 
2015, photo IDs (such as a valid driver's license) issued by a state or 
territory not in compliance with the Real ID Act will not be accepted 
as identification to enter Federal buildings. Visitors from these 
states/territories will need to provide alternative proof of 
identification (such as a valid passport) to gain entrance into CMS 
buildings. The current list of states from which a Federal agency may 
accept driver's licenses for an official purpose is found at http://www.dhs.gov/real-id-enforcement-brief. 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.

[[Page 9485]]

     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:  Sec. 222 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
217a) and sec. 10(a) of Pub. L. 92-463 (5 U.S.C. App. 2, sec. 10(a) 
and 41 CFR 102-3).

    Dated: February 18, 2016.
Andrew M. Slavitt,
Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 2016-04091 Filed 2-24-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4120-01-P