[Federal Register: October 24, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 206)]
[Notices]
[Page 61005-61006]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24oc03-104]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
[CMS-1253-N]
Medicare Program; November 17, 2003, 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). 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 (the
Secretary). These meetings are open to the public.
DATES: The meeting is scheduled for November 17, 2003, from 8:30 a.m.
until 5 p.m. EST.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in Room 800, 8th floor, at the
Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington,
DC 20201.
MEETING REGISTRATION: Persons wishing to attend this meeting must
contact Diana Motsiopoulos, The Council Administrative Coordinator, by email at dmotsiopoulos@cms.hhs.gov or by telephone (410) 786-3379, at
least 72 hours in advance to register. Persons not registered in
advance will not be permitted into the Humphrey Building and will not
be permitted to attend the meeting. Persons attending the meeting will
be required to show a photographic identification, preferably a valid
driver's license, before entering the building.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth Simon, M.D., Executive
Director, Practicing Physicians Advisory Council, 7500 Security Blvd.,
Mail Stop C4-11-27, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850, 410-786-3379. News media
representatives should contact the CMS Press Office, (202) 690-6145.
Please refer to the CMS Advisory Committees Information Line (1-877-
449-5659 toll free)/(410-786-9379 local) or the Internet at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/faca/ppac/default.asp
for additional information and
updates on committee activities.
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 must 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 must have
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 members of the Council must be
physicians as described in section
[[Page 61006]]
1861(r)(1) of the Act; that is, State-licensed doctors of medicine or
osteopathy. The remaining 4 members may include dentists, podiatrists,
optometrists and chiropractors. 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.
The Council held its first meeting on May 11, 1992. The current
members are: James Bergeron, M.D.; Ronald Castallanos, M.D.; Rebecca
Gaughan, M.D.; Carlos R. Hamilton, M.D.; Joseph Heyman, M.D.; Dennis K.
Iglar, M.D.; Joe Johnson, D.C.; Christopher Leggett, M.D.; Barbara
McAneny, M.D.; Angelyn L. Moultrie-Lizana, D.O.; Laura B. Powers, M.D.;
Michael T. Rapp, M.D.; Amilu Rothhammer, M.D.; Robert L. Urata, M.D.;
and Douglas L. Wood, M.D.
The meeting will commence with a Council update on the status of
prior recommendations, followed by discussion and comment on the
following agenda topics:
[sbull] Physician's Regulatory Issues Team (PRIT).
[sbull] Power Operated Vehicles.
[sbull] Current Status on Physicians Providing Professional
Courtesy.
[sbull] Provider Communications (GAO
Report 02-249: Communications with Physicians can be Improved;
February 2002).
[sbull] Outpatient Prospective Payment System for CY 2004 and
Physician Fee Schedule Final Rules for CY 2004.
[sbull] Update on Current Procedural Terminology/Evaluation and
Management Coding Guidelines.
[sbull] Update on Prescription Drug Card Benefit.
[sbull] End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Quality Initiative.
[sbull] IG Statutory Authority and FY 2004 Work Plan.
For additional information and clarification on these topics,
contact the Executive Director, listed under the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice. Individual physicians or
medical organizations that represent physicians wishing to make a 5-
minute oral presentation on agenda issues should contact the Executive
Director by 12 noon, October 31, 2003, to be scheduled. Testimony is
limited to agenda topics only. The number of oral presentations may be
limited by the time available. A written copy of the presenter's oral
remarks must be submitted to Diana Motsiopoulos, Administrative
Coordinator, no later than 12 noon, November 7, 2003, for distribution
to Council members for review prior to the meeting. Physicians and
medical organizations not scheduled to speak may also submit written
comments to the Administrative Coordinator for distribution. The
meeting is open to the public, but attendance is limited to the space
available. Special Accommodations: Individuals requiring sign language
interpretation or other special accommodation should contact Diana Motsiopoulos by e-mail at dmotsiopoulos@cms.hhs.gov or by telephone at
(410) 786-3379 at least 10 days before the meeting.
Authority: Section 1868 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1395ee) and section 10(a) of Public Law 92-463 (5 U.S.C. App. 2,
section 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: October 17, 2003.
Thomas A. Scully,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 03-26824 Filed 10-23-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P