[Federal Register: November 22, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 226)]
[Notices]
[Page 70444-70445]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22no02-88]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
[CMS-1217-N]
Medicare Program; December 16, 2002, Meeting of the Practicing
Physicians Advisory Council
AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with section 10(a) of the Federal Advisory
Committee Act, this notice announces a meeting of the Practicing
Physicians Advisory Council. The Council will be meeting to discuss
certain proposed changes in regulations and carrier manual instructions
related to physicians' services, as identified by the Secretary of the
Department of Health and Human Services. This meeting is open to the
public.
Meeting Registration: Persons wishing to attend this meeting must
contact the meeting coordinator Diana Motsiopoulos at
dmotsiopoulos@cms.hhs.gov or (410)-786-3379 at least 72 hours in
advance to register. Persons who are not registered in advance will not
be permitted into the CMS Headquarters and thus will not be able to
attend the
[[Page 70445]]
meeting. Persons attending the meeting will be required to show a
photographic identification, preferably a valid driver's license,
before entering the building.
DATES: The meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 16, 2002 from 8:30
a.m. until 5 p.m. e.s.t.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in Room 800, 8th Floor, Hubert H.
Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20201.
Website: You may access the Internet at http://cms.hhs.gov/faca/
ppac/default.asp for additional information and updates on committee
activities.
CMS Advisory Committees Information Line: (1-877-449-5659 toll
free)/(410-786-9379 local).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Rudolf, M.D., J.D., Executive
Director, Practicing Physicians Advisory Council, 7500 Security
Boulevard., Mail Stop C4-10-07, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850, (410) 786-
3379. News media representatives should contact the CMS Press Office,
(202) 690-6145.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Secretary of the Department of Health
and Human Services (the Secretary) is mandated by section 1868 of the
Social Security Act (the Act) to appoint a Practicing Physicians
Advisory Council (the Council) based on nominations submitted by
medical organizations representing physicians. The Council meets
quarterly to discuss certain proposed changes in regulations and
carrier manual instructions related to physicians' services, as
identified by the Secretary. To the extent feasible and consistent with
statutory deadlines, the consultation shall occur before publication of
the proposed changes. The Council submits an annual report on its
recommendations to the Secretary and the Administrator of the Centers
for Medicare & Medicaid Services not later than December 31 of each
year.
The Council consists of 15 physicians, each of whom has submitted
at least 250 claims for physicians' services under Medicare in the
previous year. Members of the Council include both participating and
nonparticipating physicians, and physicians practicing in rural and
underserved urban areas. At least 11 of the members of the Council
shall be physicians described in section 1861(r)(1) of the Act. The
remaining members may include dentists, podiatrists, optometrists, and
chiropractors. Members are invited to serve for overlapping 4-year
terms contingent upon the renewal of the Council's term. Section 14 of
the Federal Advisory Committee Act requires that the 2-year term of
advisory committees, such as the Council, be renewed by appropriate
action prior to its termination. Section 1868(a) of the Act provides
that appointments for Council membership shall be based upon
nominations to the Secretary made by medical organizations representing
physicians.
The Council held its first meeting on May 11, 1992. The current
members are: James Bergeron, M.D.; Richard Bronfman, D.P.M.; Ronald
Castellanos, M.D.: Rebecca Gaughan, M.D.; Joseph Heyman, M.D.; Stephen
A. Imbeau, M.D.; Joe Johnson, D.O.; Christopher Leggett, M.D.; Dale
Lervick, O.D.; Angelyn L. Moultrie-Lizana, D.O.; Barbara McAneny, M.D.;
Michael T. Rapp, M.D. (Chairman); Amilu Rothhammer, M.D.; Victor Vela,
M.D.; and Douglas L. Wood, M.D.
Council members will be updated on the status of recommendations.
The agenda will provide for discussion and comment on the following
topics:
[sbull] Program Integrity Customer Service Initiative.
[sbull] Is Immunoassay Fecal Occult Blood Testing an appropriate
substitution for Guiac Fecal Occult Blood Testing in the screening for
Colon and Rectal Cancer?
[sbull] Educational preparation for February PPAC meeting regarding
Physician Fee Schedule.
[sbull] Physicians Regulatory Issues Team Update.
[sbull] Doctor's Office Quality Project: A Physician Level
Measurement and Improvement Initiative.
For additional information and clarification on the topics listed,
call the contact person in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section
of this notice. Individual physicians or medical organizations that
represent physicians wishing to make 5-minute oral presentations on
agenda issues should contact the Executive Director by 12 noon, Friday,
December 6, 2002, to be scheduled. Testimony is limited to agenda
topics. The number of oral presentations may be limited by the time
available. A written copy of the presenter's oral remarks should be
submitted to the meeting coordinator at dmotsiopoulos@cms.hhs.gov no
later than 12 noon, December 6, 2002, for distribution to Council
members for review before the meeting. Physicians and organizations not
scheduled to speak may also submit written comments to the Executive
Director and Council members. The meeting is open to the public, but
attendance is limited to the space available. Individuals requiring
sign language interpretation for the hearing impaired or other special
accommodation should contact Diana Motsiopoulos at
dmotsiopoulos@cms.hhs.gov or (410) 786-3379 at least 10 days before the
meeting.
(Sec. 1868 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ee) and sec.
10(a) of Pub. L. 92-463 (5 U.S.C. App. 2, sect. 10(a)).
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.773,
Medicare--Hospital Insurance; and Program No. 93.774, Medicare--
Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)
Dated: November 12, 2002.
Thomas A. Scully,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 02-29362 Filed 11-21-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P