[Federal Register: June 27, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 124)]
[Notices]
[Page 38345-38346]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27jn03-87]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
[CMS-1257-N]
Medicare Program: Notice of the Practicing Physicians Advisory
Council Rechartering
AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice announces the rechartering of Practicing
Physicians Advisory Council (the Council). In accordance with the
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. 2), this notice announces
that as of June 12, 2003 the Practicing Physicians Advisory Council
(the Council) has been rechartered for a 2-year period, through June
12, 2005. The charter will terminate on June 12, 2005, unless the
Council is rechartered by the Secretary.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diana Motsiopoulos, Administrative
Coordinator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 Security
Blvd., Mail Stop: C4-11-27, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850. Telephone 410-
786-3379, fax (410) 786-1710, E-mail: dmotsiopoulos@cms.hhs.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (the
Secretary) is mandated by section 1868(a) 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. To the extent feasible and consistent with
statutory deadlines, the consultation must occur before the publication
of the proposed changes. The Council submits its recommendations in an
annual report to the Secretary and the Administrator of the Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services no later than December 31 of each year.
The Council consists of 15 physicians, each of whom has submitted
at least 250 claims for physician services under Medicare in the
previous year. At least 11 members of the Council must be physicians as
described in Section 1861(r)(1) of the Act; that is, State-licensed
doctors of medicine or osteopathy. The other 4 Council members may
include dentists, podiatrists, optometrists and chiropractors. The
Council includes both participating and nonparticipating physicians, as
well as physicians practicing in rural and underserved urban areas.
Members serve for overlapping 4-year terms; terms of more than 2 years
are contingent upon the renewal of the Council by appropriate action
prior to its termination.
Section 1868(a) of the Act provides that nominations to the
Secretary for Council membership must be made by medical organizations
representing physicians.
I. Provisions of This Notice
This notice announces the signing of the Practicing Physicians
Advisory Council (PPAC) charter (recharter) by the Secretary. The
charter will terminate on June 12, 2005, unless rechartered before the
expiration date.
[[Page 38346]]
II. Copies of the Charter
You may obtain a copy of the charter for the PPAC by submitting a
request to Diana Motsiopoulos, Administrative Coordinator, Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid, 7500 Security Blvd., Mail Stop: C4-11-27,
Baltimore, MD 21244-1850, (410) 786-3379 or E-mail the request to
dmotsiopoulos@cms.hhs.gov. A copy of the charter will also be available
on the Internet at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/faca/ppac/default.asp.
Authority: Section 1868 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1395ee) and (5 U.S.C. App. 2)
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.773,
Medicare--Hospital Insurance; and Program No. 93.774, Medicare--
Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)
Dated: June 11, 2003.
Thomas A. Scully,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 03-16055 Filed 6-26-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P