[Federal Register: September 28, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 188)]
[Notices]
[Page 55224-55225]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28se07-101]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
[CMS-1378-N]
Medicare Program; Medicare Provider Feedback Group Town Hall
Meeting--October 16, 2007
AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.
ACTION: Notice of meeting.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces the annual Medicare Provider Feedback
Group (MPFG) Town Hall meeting. This meeting is open to all Medicare
fee-for-service (FFS) providers and suppliers that participate in the
Medicare program, including physicians, hospitals, home health
agencies, other third-party billers and other interested parties, to
present their individual views and opinions on selected FFS Medicare
topics. In addition, we will be soliciting input on how we can improve
communications to better serve the Medicare providers and suppliers.
The meeting agenda and discussion materials will be available by
October 12, 2007. The public can access these materials at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/center/provider.asp
.
The feedback provided during this meeting will assist us as we
evaluate FFS Medicare policy, operational issues and CMS' provider and
supplier communication activities. The meeting is open to the public,
but attendance is limited to space available. Registered participants
from the meeting will be included in the Medicare Provider Feedback
Group and may be contacted throughout the year for follow-up meetings
to solicit additional opinions and clarify any issues that may arise
from the October 16, 2007 meeting.
DATES: Meeting Date: The Town Hall meeting announced in this notice
will be held on Tuesday, October 16, 2007, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. e.s.t.
ADDRESSES: The Town Hall meeting will be held in the main auditorium of
the central building of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services,
7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244.
Written Questions or Statements: Any interested party may send
written comments electronically. We will give consideration to feedback
received on the topics discussed at the Town Hall meeting, but written
responses will not be provided. We will accept and take into
consideration written feedback, questions, or other statements about
the town hall meeting and agenda topics before the meeting, and up
until October 26, 2007. Send written feedback, questions, or other
statements to Colette Shatto at MFG@cms.hhs.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colette Shatto, 410-786-6932. You may
also send inquires about this meeting by MFG@cms.hhs.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
CMS has held three Medicare Provider Feedback Group Town Hall
Meetings beginning in 2005. The purpose of these meetings is to capture
individual provider and supplier feedback on relevant FFS Medicare
policy and operational issues. As a result, we are able to further
advance our efforts to strengthen the Medicare program and enhance our
relationship with providers and suppliers. The Town Hall meetings also
provide a venue to allow us to continue a process of communicating with
individual providers and suppliers through the following year.
II. Meeting Format
The meeting will begin with an overview of the goals and objectives
of the MPFG efforts to gather feedback
[[Page 55225]]
from individual Medicare physicians, providers, and suppliers. Topics
to be discussed during the meeting include, but are not limited to, FFS
Medicare implementation of the National Provider Identifier (NPI),
Medicare contractor provider satisfaction survey (MCPSS): ``Relevancy
of questions in the business functions of appeals and medical review'',
Medicare contracting reform, and value based purchasing.
There will be a question and answer session that offers meeting
attendees an opportunity to provide feedback on how CMS serves
physicians, providers, and suppliers, as well as make suggestions on
how this process can be improved. The time for participants to ask
questions and provide feedback will be limited according to the number
of registered participants; however, written submissions will be
accepted. Individuals who wish to provide written feedback should e-
mail Colette Shatto at MFG@cms.hhs.gov. We will give consideration to
feedback received on the topics discussed at the Town Hall meeting, but
written responses will not be provided.
III. Registration Instructions
The Division of Provider Relations and Evaluations, Provider
Communications Group, Center for Medicare Management, is coordinating
the meeting registration. While there is no registration fee,
individuals, providers, and suppliers must register to participate.
Individuals interested in attending the meeting in person or by
teleconference must complete the on-line registration located at http://registration.intercall.com/go/cms2
.
The on-line registration system will capture contact information
and practice characteristics, such as names, e-mail addresses, and
provider and supplier types. Registration will be open on September 28,
2007 and close on October 12, 2007. Registration after 5 p.m. e.s.t. on
October 12, 2007 will not be accepted.
The on-line registration system will generate a confirmation page
to indicate the completion of your registration. Please print this page
as your registration receipt. Teleconference instructions will be
issued once participants have registered by using the on-line
registration tool. If seating capacity has been reached, you will be
notified that the meeting has reached capacity.
Special Accommodations: Individuals requiring sign language
interpretation or other special accommodations must contact Colette
Shatto by e-mail at MFG@cms.hhs.gov.
IV. Security, Building, and Parking Guidelines
Because this meeting will be located on Federal property, for
security reasons, any persons wishing to attend this meeting must
register by 5 p.m. e.s.t. on October 12, 2007. 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 12:30 p.m. to
1:30 p.m. e.s.t. Please allow sufficient time to go through the
security checkpoints. It is suggested that you arrive at 7500 Security
Boulevard no later than 1:30 p.m. e.s.t. so that you will be able to
arrive promptly at the meeting by 2 p.m. e.s.t. All items brought to
the building, whether personal or for the purpose of demonstration or
to support a presentation, are subject to inspection.
Security measures will 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, including personal items such as desktops, cell phones, and palm
pilots, are subject to physical inspection.
Authority: Section 1811 and 1831 of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1395c and 1395j).
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.774,
Medicare--Supplementary Medical Insurance Program.
Dated: September 6, 2007.
Kerry Weems,
Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. E7-18113 Filed 9-27-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P