[Federal Register: January 24, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 16)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 3482-3483]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24ja03-35]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
42 CFR Chapter IV
[CMS-6012-N4]
RIN 0938-AM40
Medicare Program; Negotiated Rulemaking Committee on Special
Payment Provisions and Requirements for Prosthetics and Certain Custom-
Fabricated Orthotics; Meeting Announcement
AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.
ACTION: Notice of meetings.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with section 10(a) of the Federal Advisory
Committee Act, this notice announces additional public meetings of the
Negotiated Rulemaking Committee on Special Payment Provisions and
Requirements for Prosthetics and Certain Custom-Fabricated Orthotics.
The Committee was mandated by section 427 of the Medicare, Medicaid,
and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 (BIPA).
DATES: The next two negotiated rulemaking committee meetings will be
held March 10 and 11, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. e.s.t. and April 7 and 8,
2003 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. e.s.t.
These meetings are open to the public, and subsequent meetings will
be announced in the Federal Register.
ADDRESSES: The Committee meetings will be held at the Hilton Pikesville
at 1726 Reisterstown Road, Baltimore, MD 21208 (Telephone 410-653-
1100). Any subsequent meetings will be held at locations to be
announced.
[[Page 3483]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Theresa Linkowich, (410) 786-9249
(General inquiries concerning prosthetics and custom-fabricated
orthotics), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), 7500
Security Blvd, Baltimore MD 21244; or Lynn Sylvester, 202-606-9140,
Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services, 2100 K Street, NW.,
Washington, DC 20427; or Ira Lobel, 518-431-0130, Federal Mediation and
Conciliation Services, Clinton Square, Room 952, Albany, NY 12207
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We published a document in the Federal
Register on July 26, 2002 (FR pages 48839-48840) announcing the
establishment of the negotiated rulemaking committee to advise us on
developing a proposed rule that would establish special payment
provisions and requirements for suppliers of prosthetics and certain
custom-fabricated orthotics under the Medicare program. The notice also
announced dates for the Committee's first two meetings on October 1-3,
2002 and October 29-31, 2002. On November 22, 2002 (FR page 70358), a
notice of meetings was published in the Federal Register announcing the
third meeting held January 6 and 7, 2003, and the fourth meeting which
will be held February 10 and 11, 2003.
Through face-to-face negotiations, these meetings will help the
Committee to reach consensus on the substance of the proposed rule. If
consensus is reached, the Committee will transmit to us a report
containing required information for developing a proposed rule and we
will use the report as the basis for the proposed rule. The Committee
is responsible for identifying the key issues, gauging their
importance, analyzing the information necessary to resolve the issues,
arriving at a consensus, and recommending the text and content of the
proposed regulation. Detailed information is available on the CMS
Internet Home Page: http://cms.hhs.gov/faca/prosthetics/ or by calling
the Federal Advisory Committee Hotline at (410) 786-9379.
The Agendas for the March 10 and 11 meeting and April 7 and 8
meeting will cover the following:
1. Review of the February 10 and 11 minutes. (March 10 and 11) and
review of the March 10 and 11 minutes (April 7 and 8).
2. Discussion of statutory terms to be further defined by
regulation.
3. Discussion on L codes.
4. Discussion on supplier and practitioner qualifications as set
forth in the statute.
5. Presentation of Computer Assisted Design (CAD)
6. Presentation by National Orthotic Manufacturers Association
(NOMA)
7. Oral comments from members of the public.
Public Participation
All interested parties are invited to attend these public meetings,
but attendance is limited to the space available. No advance
registration is required. Seating will be available on a first-come
first-served basis. Individuals requiring sign language interpretation
for the hearing impaired or other special accommodations should contact
Theresa Linkowich, tlinkowich@cms.hhs.gov or call (410) 786-9249 at
least 10 days before the meeting. The Committee has the authority to
decide to what extent oral presentations by members of the public may
be permitted at the meeting. Oral presentations will be limited to
statements of fact and views, and shall not include any questioning of
the Committee members or other participants unless the facilitators
have specifically approved these questions. The number of oral
presentations may be limited by the time available.
Interested parties can file statements with the Committee. Mail
written statements to the following address: Federal Mediation and
Conciliation Services, 2100 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20427,
Attention: Lynn Sylvester, or call Lynn Sylvester at (202) 606-9140.
Additional Meetings
Meetings will be held as necessary. We will publish notices of
future meetings in the Federal Register. All future meetings will be
open to the public without advance registration.
Authority: Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. 2)
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.774,
Medicare--Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)
Dated: January 17, 2003.
Thomas A. Scully,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 03-1651 Filed 1-23-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P