[Federal Register: December 24, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 247)]
[Notices]
[Page 74622-74623]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24de03-95]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
[CMS-1247-N]
Medicare Program; Town Hall Meeting in Calendar Year 2004 for
Ambulance Condition Codes
AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.
ACTION: Notice of meeting.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces a town hall meeting to provide a forum
for all interested individuals to discuss and/or submit written
comments on the establishment and implementation of Ambulance Condition
Codes. Ambulance Condition Codes would be included in Chapter 15 of the
CMS Manual System. Development of new ICD-9-CM codes for those
Ambulance Condition Codes that do not currently have a satisfactory
corresponding ICD-9-CM code will be a separate process that the
ambulance industry must address with the National Center for Health
Statistics (NCHS).
DATES: The town hall meeting announced in this notice will be held on
Wednesday, February 4, 2004, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., e.s.t.
ADDRESSES: The town hall meeting will be held in the auditorium at the
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), 7500 Security
Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anne Tayloe, (410) 786-4546.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
On December 21, 2000, the Congress passed the Medicare, Medicaid,
and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 (the BIPA)
(Pub. L. 106-554). Section 1833(h) of the Social Security Act (the Act)
and section 531(b) of the BIPA mandated procedures that permit public
consultation on clinical laboratory services and durable medical
equipment (DME) payment policy issues. We are applying this public
consultation procedure to ambulance service policy issues for the
purpose of this town hall meeting. This town hall meeting is intended
to provide a forum for all interested parties to comment on and discuss
the Ambulance Condition Codes. The Ambulance Condition Code information
may be reviewed prior to the public meeting by accessing http://www.cms.hhs.gov/paymentsystems
on the Internet. This information will
be available for review beginning January 5, 2003.
II. Presentations
Registered persons from the public may discuss and make
recommendations concerning the Ambulance Condition Codes. Individuals
who wish to make formal presentations must include that information
when registering. Presentations must be brief, and three written copies
must be submitted to accompany the oral presentation. Presenters may
also make copies available for approximately 50 meeting participants.
III. Registration Instructions
Beginning January 5, 2004, you may complete your registration on-
line at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/paymentsystems. Please submit the
following information when registering: name, company name, address,
telephone number, and e-mail address and an indication of whether you
wish to make a formal presentation. A confirmation will be sent upon
receipt of the registration.
Because this meeting will be located on Federal property, for
security reasons, any persons wishing to attend this meeting must
register by close of business on January 23, 2004. In order to gain
access to the building and grounds, participants must show to the
Federal Protective Service or Guard Service personnel a government-
issued photo identification and a copy of their registration
confirmation. Individuals who have not registered in advance will not
be allowed to enter the building to attend the meeting. Seating
capacity is limited to the first 250 registrants.
The on-site check-in for visitors will be held from 9 a.m. until 10
a.m., followed by opening remarks. Please allow sufficient time to
arrive to go through the security checkpoints. It is
[[Page 74623]]
suggested that you arrive at 7500 Security Boulevard no later than 8:40
a.m. so that you will be able to arrive promptly at the meeting by 9
a.m. All items brought to CMS, whether personal or for the purpose of
demonstration or to support a presentation, are subject to inspection.
Individuals requiring sign language interpretation for the hearing
impaired or other special accommodations must provide that information
upon registering for the meeting.
Authority: Sections 1102 and 1871 of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1302 and 1395hh)
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.773,
Medicare--Hospital Insurance; and Program No. 93.774, Medicare--
Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)
Dated: December 9, 2003.
Thomas A. Scully,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 03-31044 Filed 12-23-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P