[Federal Register: October 27, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 208)]
[Notices]
[Page 63023-63024]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27oc06-69]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
[CMS-1381-N]
Medicare Program; Meeting of the Practicing Physicians Advisory
Council, December 4, 2006
AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces a quarterly meeting of the Practicing
Physicians Advisory Council (the Council). The Council will meet to
discuss certain proposed changes in regulations and manual instructions
related to physicians' services, as identified by the Secretary of
Health and Human Services (the Secretary). This meeting is open to the
public.
DATES: Meeting Date: Monday, December 4, 2006, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
e.s.t.
Deadline for Registration without Oral Presentation: Friday,
December 1, 2006, 12 noon, e.s.t.
Deadline for Registration of Oral Presentations: Friday, November
17, 2006, 12 noon, e.s.t.
Deadline for Submission of Oral Remarks and Written Comments:
Wednesday, November 22, 2006, 12 noon, e.s.t.
Deadline for Requesting Special Accommodations: Monday, November
27, 2006, 12 noon, e.s.t.
ADDRESSES: Meeting Location: The meeting will be held in the Multi-
purpose Room, 1st floor, at the CMS Central Office, 7500 Security
Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland, 21244.
Submission of Presentations: Presentations should be mailed to
Kelly Buchanan, DFO, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 7500
Security Boulevard, Mail stop C4-13-07, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850, or
contact the DFO via e-mail at PPAC@cms.hhs.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kelly Buchanan, the Designated Federal
Official (DFO), (410) 786-6132, or e-mail PPAC@cms.hhs.gov. News media
representatives must 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/home/regsguidance.asp
for additional information and
updates on committee activities.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
In accordance with section 10(a) of the Federal Advisory Committee
Act, this notice announces the quarterly meeting of the Practicing
Physicians Advisory Council (the Council). The Secretary is mandated by
section 1868(a)(1) of the Social Security Act (the Act) to appoint a
Practicing Physicians Advisory Council based on nominations submitted
by medical organizations representing physicians. The Council meets
quarterly to discuss certain proposed changes in regulations and manual
instructions related to physicians' services, as identified by the
Secretary. To the extent feasible and consistent with statutory
deadlines, the Council's consultation must occur before Federal
Register 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 (CMS) not
later than December 31 of each year.
The Council consists of 15 physicians, including the Chair. 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 before its
termination.
Section 1868(a)(2) of the Act provides that the Council meet
quarterly to discuss certain proposed changes in regulations and manual
issuances that relate to physicians' services, identified by the
Secretary. Section 1868(a)(3) of the Act provides for payment of
expenses and per diem for Council members in the same manner as members
of other advisory committees appointed by the Secretary. In addition to
making these payments, the Department of Health and Human Services and
CMS provide management and support services to the Council. The
Secretary will appoint new members to the Council from among those
candidates determined to have the expertise required to meet specific
agency needs in a manner to ensure appropriate balance of the Council's
membership.
The Council held its first meeting on May 11, 1992. The current
members are: Anthony Senagore, M.D., Chairperson; Jose Azocar, M.D.; M.
Leroy Sprang, M.D.; Karen S. Williams, M.D.; Peter Grimm, D.O.; Carlos
R. Hamilton, M.D.; Dennis K. Iglar, M.D.; Joe Johnson, D.C.; Vincent J.
Bufalino, M.D.; Tye J. Ouzounian, M.D.; Geraldine O'Shea, D.O.; Laura
B. Powers, M.D.; Gregory J. Przybylski, M.D.; Jeffrey A. Ross, DPM,
M.D.; and Robert L. Urata, M.D.
II. Meeting Format and Agenda
The meeting will commence with the Council's Executive Director
providing a status report, and the CMS responses to the recommendations
made by the Council at the August 28, 2006 meeting, as well as prior
meeting recommendations. Additionally, an update will be provided on
the Physician Regulatory Issues Team. In accordance with the Council
charter, we are requesting assistance with the following agenda topics:
Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Update;
Physician Fee Schedule: Final Rule with Comment;
Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS)/ Ambulatory
Surgical Center (ASC): Final Rule;
Medicare Contractor Provider Satisfaction Survey (MCPSS)
Update-2006 Results;
Pay for Voluntary Reporting Update; and
Transparency Initiative.
For additional information and clarification on these topics,
contact the DFO as provided in 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 register with the DFO by the date listed in the
DATES section of this notice. 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 the DFO for distribution to Council members for review
before the meeting by the date listed in the DATES section of this
notice.
[[Page 63024]]
Physicians and medical organizations not scheduled to speak may also
submit written comments to the DFO for distribution by the date listed
in the DATES section of this notice.
III. Meeting Registration and Security Information
The meeting is open to the public, but attendance is limited to the
space available. Persons wishing to attend this meeting must register
by contacting DFO at the address listed in the ADDRESSES section of
this notice or by telephone at (410)786-6132 by the date specified in
the DATES section of this notice.
Since this meeting will be held in a Federal Government Building,
CMS Central Office, Federal security measures are applicable. As noted
above, in planning your arrival time, we recommend allowing additional
time to clear security. In order to gain access to the building,
participants will be required to show a government-issued photo
identification (for example, driver's license, or passport), and must
be listed on an approved security list before persons are permitted
entrance. Persons not registered in advance will not be permitted into
the CMS Central Office and will not be permitted to attend the Council
meeting.
All persons entering the building must pass through a metal
detector. In addition, all items brought to the CMS Central Office,
whether personal or for the purpose of 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 the purpose of
presentation.
Individuals requiring sign language interpretation or other special
accommodation must contact the DFO via the contact information
specified in the FOR FUTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice
by the date listed in the DATES section of this notice.
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)).)
Dated: October 5, 2006.
Mark B. McClellan,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. E6-17386 Filed 10-26-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P