[Federal Register: September 14, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 177)]
[Notices]
[Page 55440-55441]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14se04-64]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
[CMS-6027-N]
Medicare Program; September 30, 2004 Open Door Forum:
Requirements for Coordination Between Plans Primary or Secondary to
Medicare Part D Under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and
Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA)
AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces a September 30, 2004 Open Door Forum for
the purpose of discussing the establishment of requirements of benefit
coordination among Medicare Part D plans, State Pharmaceutical
Assistance Programs (SPAPs), States, pharmaceutical benefit managers,
employers, data processing experts, pharmacists, pharmaceutical
manufacturers, and other interested and affected parties (or customers
and partners). This Forum will enable interested parties to comment and
raise issues regarding requirements for enrollment file-sharing, claims
processing, claims reconciliation reports, application of the
catastrophic out-of-pocket protection under Section 1860D-2(b)(4) and
other administrative procedures under the provisions of the Medicare
Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA)
(Pub. L. 108-173). Interested parties will also have the opportunity to
ask questions and raise issues regarding the potential paperwork burden
that these MMA provisions may impose. The MMA requires that these
requirements be established before July 1, 2005.
DATES: The Open Door Forum is scheduled for September 30, 2004, from 2
p.m. to 4 p.m., e.d.t.
ADDRESSES: The Open Door Forum will be held in the Centers for Medicare
& Medicaid Services (CMS) Multipurpose Room, located at 7500 Security
Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244. Please note that meeting space is
limited to 250 persons. However, a phone line will be available for
those who wish to call in for the meeting. Please check the Open Door
Forum Web site for call-in information at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/opendoor/
or contact Sabrina Lopez at 410-786-6884.
Written Statements and Requests: We will accept written questions
about meeting logistics or requests for meeting materials either before
the meeting or up to 14 days after the meeting. Written submissions
must be sent to: Troop, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500
Security Boulevard, Mail Stop C3-14-16, Baltimore, MD 21244.
Public Comments: Public comments must be sent to: Troop, Centers
for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop
C3-14-16, Baltimore, MD 21244.
Web site: Additional details and materials regarding the Open Door
Forum meeting and process, along with information on how to register,
will be posted before the first meeting date on the official CMS Open
Door Forum Web site: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ opendoor/.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sabrina Lopez, (410) 786-6884.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
On November 20, 2003, the Congress passed the Medicare Prescription
Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act (MMA) (Pub. L. 108-173), which
amended Title XVIII of the Social Security Act (the Act) and
established the provisions of sections 1860D-23 and 1860D-24 of the
Act.
Section 1860D-23 of the Act mandates requirements that ensure
effective coordination between Medicare Part D plans (private
prescription drug plans (PDPs) and Medicare Advantage prescription drug
plans (MA-PDs)) and State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (SPAPs).
Section 1860D-24 of the Act applies the 1860D-23 requirements to other
types of plans, including, but not limited to, Medicaid plans, group
health plans, Federal Employee Health Benefit Plans (FEHBPs), and
military plans (such as Tricare).
The Secretary is required, when developing these requirements, to
consult with State programs, the PDP sponsors, MA-PD organizations,
States, pharmaceutical benefit managers, employers, data processing
experts, pharmacists, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and other experts.
II. Registration
Registration Procedures: Individuals must register in advance of
attending the Open Door Forum by sending an e-mail (containing the
individual's name, company name, company address, telephone number, fax
number, e-mail address, and special needs information) to the following
address: specialodf@cms.hhs.gov, or contact Sabrina Lopez at 410-786-
6884. Individuals must register by September 24, 2004.
III. Comment Format
Individuals may submit comments or questions in advance of the Open
Door Forum to Troop@cms.hhs.gov by September 24, 2004. Comments or
questions may also be submitted at the Forum if not available at the
time of deadline.
Both in-person participants and those participating by telephone
will be given an opportunity to participate. Comments and input will be
sought from the attendees on an individual basis and not from the group
as a whole.
Time for participants to comment and ask questions may be limited
according to the number of registered participants. We will attempt to
accommodate as many participants as possible that may wish to
participate.
[[Page 55441]]
IV. General Information
The Open Door Forum will be held in a Federal government building;
therefore, Federal measures are applicable.
In planning your arrival time, we recommend allowing additional
time to clear security. In order to gain access to the building and
grounds, participants must bring a government issued photo
identification. Access may be denied to persons without proper
identification.
Security measures also include inspection of vehicles, inside and
out, at the entrance to the grounds. In addition, all persons entering
the building must pass through a metal detector. All items brought to
CMS, whether personal or for the purpose of demonstration or to support
a presentation, are subject to inspection. We cannot assume
responsibility for coordinating the receipt, transfer, transport,
storage, set-up, safety, or timely arrival of any personal belongings
or items used for demonstration or to support a presentation.
Please note that smoking is not permitted anywhere on the CMS
single site campus.
Special Accommodations: Persons attending the meeting who are
hearing or visually impaired and have special requirements, or a
condition that requires special assistance or accommodations, must
provide this information upon registering for the meeting.
Authority: Sections 1860D-23, 1860D-24, and 1860D-2 of the
Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug,
Improvement, and Modernization Act (MMA) (Pub. L. 108-173)
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.773,
Medicare--Hospital Insurance Program; and No. 93.774, Medicare--
Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)
Dated: September 8, 2004.
Mark B. McClellan,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 04-20689 Filed 9-13-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P