[Federal Register: October 22, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 204)]
[Notices]
[Page 62056-62057]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22oc04-62]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
[CMS-1484-N]
Medicare Program; November 22, 2004, Meeting of the Practicing
Physicians Advisory Council
AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.
ACTION: Notice of meeting.
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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). This meeting is open to the public.
DATES: The meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 22, 2004, from
8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. e.s.t.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in Room 505A, 5th floor, in the
Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington,
DC 20201.
MEETING REGISTRATION: Persons wishing to attend this meeting must
contact John Lanigan, the Designated Federal Official (DFO), by e-mail
at Jlanigan@cms.hhs.gov or by telephone at (410) 786-2312, at least 72
hours in advance of the meeting to register. Persons not registered in
advance will not be permitted into the Humphrey Building and will not
be permitted to attend the Council 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 C4-10-07, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850, telephone (410) 786-2312,
or e-mail Ksimon@cms.hhs.gov. News media representatives must contact
the CMS Press Office, (202) 690-6145. Please refer to the CMS Advisory
Committee's 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 (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, 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 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--Jose Azocar, M.D.; James Bergeron, M.D.; Ronald
Castellanos, M.D.; Rebecca Gaughan, M.D.; Peter Grimm, D.O.; Carlos R.
Hamilton, M.D.; Dennis K. Iglar, M.D.; Joe Johnson, D.C.; Christopher
Leggett, M.D.; Barbara McAneny, M.D.; Geraldine O'Shea, D.O.; Laura B.
Powers, M.D.; Michael T. Rapp, M.D. (Chairperson); Anthony Senagore,
M.D.; and Robert L. Urata, M.D.
The meeting will commence with a status report and our response to
recommendations made by the Council at the August 30, 2004 meeting and
prior meeting recommendations. Additionally, an update will be provided
on the Physicians Regulatory Issues Team and Part ``D'' Benefits.
In accordance with the Council charter we are requesting assistance
with the following agenda topics:
Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule;
Outpatient Final Rule;
Medicare Coverage Process;
Medicare Preventive Benefits & Welcome to Medicare Exam
Visit; and
Quality Initiative Projects: Doctor Office Quality--
Information Technology Project (DOQ-IT).
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 must contact the Executive
Director by 12
[[Page 62057]]
noon, November 1, 2004, 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 John Lanigan, Designated Federal Official, by e-mail at
Jlanigan@cms.hhs.gov no later than 12 noon, November 1, 2004, 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 Designated Federal Officer 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 must contact John Lanigan
by e-mail at Jlanigan@cms.hhs.gov or by telephone at (410) 786-2312 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 Pub. L. 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 7, 2004.
Mark B. McClellan,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 04-23442 Filed 10-21-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P