[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 90 (Wednesday, May 12, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26039-26042]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-10118]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-7062-N]


Request for Nominations and Announcement of the Advisory Panel on 
Outreach and Education (APOE) May 26, 2021 Virtual Meeting

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice invites all interested parties to submit 
nominations to fill vacancies on the Advisory Panel on Outreach and 
Education (APOE). This notice also announces the next meeting of the 
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) (the Secretary) and 
the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) 
on opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of consumer education 
strategies concerning the Health Insurance Marketplace[supreg], 
Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). 
This meeting is open to the public.

DATES: 
    Meeting Date: Wednesday, May 26, 2021 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. 
eastern daylight time (e.d.t).
    Deadline for Meeting Registration, Presentations, Special 
Accommodations, and Comments: Wednesday, May 19, 2021, 5:00 p.m. 
(e.d.t).
    Deadline for Submitting Nominations: Nominations will be considered 
if we receive them at the appropriate address,

[[Page 26040]]

provided in the ADDRESSES section of this notice, no later than 5 p.m., 
(e.d.t.) on June 11, 2021.

ADDRESSES: 
    Meeting Location: Virtual. All those who RSVP will receive the link 
to attend.
    Nominations, Presentations, and Written Comments: Nominations, 
presentations, and written comments should be submitted to: Lisa Carr, 
Designated Federal Official (DFO), Office of Communications, Centers 
for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 200 Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop 
325G HHH, Washington, DC 20201, 202-690-5742, 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 website https://www.eventbrite.com/e/apoe-may-26-2021-virtual-meeting-tickets-150209828641 or by contacting the DFO 
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: Lisa Carr, Designated Federal 
Official, Office of Communications, 200 Independence Avenue SW, 
Mailstop 325G HHH, Washington, DC 20201, 202-690-5742, or via email at 
[email protected].
    Additional information about the APOE is available at: https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/FACA/APOE. Press 
inquiries are handled through the CMS Press Office at (202) 690-6145.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background and Charter Renewal Information

A. Background

    The Advisory Panel for Outreach and Education (APOE) (the Panel) is 
governed by the provisions of the 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 (the 
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 \1\ (the predecessor to the APOE) 
on January 21, 1999 (64 FR 7899) 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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    \1\ We note that the Citizen's 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 Prescription Drug, Improvement, and 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. CMS has had substantial 
responsibilities to provide information to Medicare beneficiaries about 
the range of health plan options available and better tools to evaluate 
these options. 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 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Pub. L. 111-148) 
and Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Pub. L. 111-
152) (collectively referred to as the Affordable Care Act) expanded the 
availability of other options for health care coverage and enacted a 
number of changes to Medicare as well as to Medicaid and CHIP. 
Qualified individuals and qualified employers are now able to purchase 
private health insurance coverage through a competitive marketplace, 
called an Affordable Insurance Exchange (also called Health Insurance 
Marketplace[supreg], or Marketplace[supreg] \2\). 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 the 
Marketplace[supreg]. The APOE 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) (Pub. L. 111-5).
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    \2\ Health Insurance Marketplace[supreg]\SM\ and 
Marketplace[supreg]\SM\ are service marks of the U.S. Department of 
Health and Human Services.
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    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 19, 2021, and will 
terminate on January 19, 2023 unless renewed by appropriate action.

B. Charter Renewal and Copies of the Charter

    In accordance with the January 19, 2021, charter, the APOE will 
advise the HHS and CMS on developing and implementing education 
programs that support individuals who are enrolled in or eligible for 
Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, or coverage available through the Health 
Insurance Marketplace[supreg] and other CMS programs. The scope of this 
FACA group also includes advising on education of providers and 
stakeholders with respect to health care reform and certain provisions 
of the HITECH Act enacted as part of the ARRA.
    The charter will terminate on January 19, 2023, unless renewed by 
appropriate action. The APOE was chartered under 42 U.S.C. 217a, 
section 222 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended. The APOE is 
governed by provisions of Public Law 92-463, as amended (5 U.S.C. 
Appendix 2), which sets forth standards for the formation and use of 
advisory committees.
    In accordance with the renewed charter, the APOE will advise the 
Secretary and the CMS Administrator concerning optimal strategies for 
the following:
     Developing and implementing education and outreach 
programs for individuals enrolled in, or eligible for,

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Medicare, Medicaid, the CHIP, and coverage available through the Health 
Insurance Marketplace[supreg] and other CMS programs.
     Enhancing the federal government's effectiveness in 
informing Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, or the Health Insurance 
Marketplace[supreg] consumers, issuers, providers, and stakeholders, 
pursuant to education and outreach programs of issues regarding these 
programs, including the appropriate use of public-private partnerships 
to leverage the resources of the private sector in educating 
beneficiaries, providers, partners and stakeholders.
     Expanding outreach to vulnerable and underserved 
communities, including racial and ethnic minorities, in the context of 
Medicare, Medicaid, the CHIP and the Health Insurance 
Marketplace[supreg] education programs, and other CMS programs as 
designated.
     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 as of April 9, 2021, are: E. 
Lorraine Bell, Chief Officer, Population Health, Catholic Charities 
USA; Nazleen Bharmal, Medical Director of Community Partnerships, 
Cleveland Clinic; Julie Carter, Senior Federal Policy Associate, 
Medicare Rights Center; Scott Ferguson, Director of Care Transitions 
and Population Health, Mount Sinai St. Luke's Hospital; Leslie Fried, 
Senior Director, Center for Benefits Access, National Council on Aging; 
Jean-Venable Robertson Goode, Professor, Department of Pharmacotherapy 
and Outcomes Science, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth 
University; Ted Henson, Director of Health Center Performance and 
Innovation, National Association of Community Health Centers; Joan 
Ilardo, Director of Research Initiatives, Michigan State University, 
College of Human Medicine; Cheri Lattimer, Executive Director, National 
Transitions of Care Coalition; Cori McMahon, Vice President, Tridiuum; 
Alan Meade, Director of Rehab Services, Holston Medical group; Michael 
Minor, National Director, H.O.P.E. HHS Partnership, National Baptist 
Convention USA, Incorporated; Jina Ragland, Associate State Director of 
Advocacy and Outreach, AARP Nebraska; Morgan Reed, Executive Director, 
Association for Competitive Technology; Margot Savoy, Chair, Department 
of Family and Community Medicine, Temple University Physicians; 
Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz, President and CEO, Better Medicare 
Alliance; and; Tia Whitaker, Statewide Director, Outreach and 
Enrollment, Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers.
    The Secretary's Charter for the APOE is available on the CMS 
website at: https://www.facadatabase.gov/FACA/apex/FACAPublicCommittee?id=a10t0000001gzsCAAQ, or you may obtain a copy of 
the charter by submitting a request to the contact listed in the FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION section of this notice.

II. Request for Nominations

    The APOE shall consist of no more than 20 members. The Chair shall 
either be appointed from among the 20 members, or a Federal official 
will be designated to serve as the Chair. The charter requires that 
meetings shall be held up to four times per year. Members will be 
expected to attend all meetings. The members and the Chair shall be 
selected from authorities knowledgeable in one or more of the following 
fields:

 Senior citizen advocacy
 Outreach to minority and underserved communities
 Health communications
 Disease-related advocacy
 Disability policy and access
 Health economics research
 Health insurers and plans
 Health IT
 Direct patient care
 Matters of labor and retirement
Representatives of the general public may also serve on the APOE.

    This notice also requests nominations for three individuals to 
serve on the APOE to fill current vacancies and possible vacancies that 
may become available later in 2021. This notice is an invitation to 
interested organizations or individuals to submit their nominations for 
membership (no self-nominations will be accepted). The CMS 
Administrator will appoint new members to the APOE from among those 
candidates determined to have the expertise required to meet specific 
agency needs, and in a manner to ensure an appropriate balance of 
membership. We have an interest in ensuring that the interests of both 
women and men, members of all racial and ethnic groups, and disabled 
individuals are adequately represented on the APOE. Therefore, we 
encourage nominations of qualified candidates who can represent these 
interests. Any interested organization or person may nominate one or 
more qualified persons.
    Each nomination must include a letter stating that the nominee has 
expressed a willingness to serve as a Panel member and must be 
accompanied by a curricula vitae and a brief biographical summary of 
the nominee's experience.
    While we are looking for experts in a number of fields, our most 
specific needs are for experts in outreach to minority and underserved 
communities, health communications, disease-related advocacy, 
disability policy and access, health economics research, behavioral 
health, health insurers and plans, Health IT, social media, direct 
patient care, and matters of labor and retirement.
    We are requesting that all submitted curricula vitae include the 
following:

 Date of birth
 Place of birth
 Title and current position
 Professional affiliation
 Home and business address
 Telephone and fax numbers
 Email address
 Areas of expertise

Phone interviews of nominees may also be requested after review of the 
nominations.
    In order to permit an evaluation of possible sources of conflict of 
interest, potential candidates will be asked to provide detailed 
information concerning such matters as financial holdings, 
consultancies, and research grants or contracts.
    Members are invited to serve for 2-year terms, contingent upon the 
renewal of the APOE by appropriate action prior to its termination. A 
member may serve after the expiration of that member's term until a 
successor takes office. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy for an 
unexpired term shall be appointed for the remainder of that term.

III. Meeting Format and Agenda

    In accordance with section 10(a) of the FACA, this notice announces 
a meeting of the APOE. The agenda for the May 26, 2021 meeting will 
include the following:

 Welcome and listening session with CMS leadership
 Recap of the previous (March 31, 2021) meeting
 CMS programs, initiatives, and priorities
 An opportunity for public comment

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 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 an oral 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.

IV. Meeting Participation

    The meeting is open to the public, but attendance is limited to 
registered participants. Persons wishing to attend this meeting must 
register at the website https://www.eventbrite.com/e/apoe-may-26-2021-virtual-meeting-tickets-150209828641 or contact the DFO at the address 
or 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 virtually. Individuals who are not registered in 
advance will be unable to attend the meeting.

V. Collection of Information

    This document does not impose information collection requirements, 
that is, reporting, recordkeeping, or third-party disclosure 
requirements. Consequently, there is no need for review by the Office 
of Management and Budget under the authority of the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35).
    The Acting Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid 
Services (CMS), Elizabeth Richter, having reviewed and approved this 
document, authorizes Lynette Wilson, who is the Federal Register 
Liaison, to electronically sign this document for purposes of 
publication in the Federal Register.

    Dated: May 10, 2021.
Lynette Wilson,
Federal Register Liaison, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 2021-10118 Filed 5-11-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P