[Federal Register: August 22, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 164)]
[Notices]
[Page 49683-49684]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22au08-73]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
[CMS-1405-N]
Medicare Program; Medicare Provider Feedback Group Town Hall
Meeting--September 22, 2008
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, third-party billers, and 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.
DATES: Meeting Date: The Town Hall meeting announced in this notice
will be held on Monday, September 22, 2008 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. EDT.
ADDRESSES: Meeting Location: The Town Hall meeting will be held in the
main auditorium of the central building of the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244. The
meeting will also be available by teleconference.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colette Shatto, (410) 786-6932. You
may also send inquiries about this meeting via e-mail to
MFG@cms.hhs.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Since 2005, CMS has held four Medicare Provider Feedback Group
(MPFG) Town Hall meetings. The purpose of these meetings is to capture
individual provider and supplier feedback on relevant Fee-For-Service
(FFS) Medicare policy and operational issues. These meetings allow us
to further advance our efforts to strengthen the Medicare program and
enhance our relationship with providers and suppliers. The meetings
also provide a venue to allow us to continue a process of communication
with individual providers and suppliers through the following year.
II. Meeting Format and Agenda
The meeting will begin with an overview of the goals and objectives
of the MPFG efforts to gather feedback from individual Medicare
providers and suppliers. This meeting will be held on-site at CMS and
by teleconference. The meeting agenda and discussion materials will be
available to download by September 19, 2008. These materials can be
located 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. Topics to be discussed include, but
are not limited to, 5010 (possible next version of HIPAA standards for
claims and other transactions), Medicare Administrative Contract
Transitions, and Recovery Auditing.
There will be a question and answer session that offers meeting
participants an opportunity to provide feedback on how CMS services
physicians, providers and suppliers, as well as make suggestions on how
this process can be improved. Time for participants to ask questions or
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 that
feedback to Colette Shatto at MFG@cms.hhs.gov. Written feedback will be
accepted through September 30, 2008.
Consideration will be given to feedback received on the topics
discussed at the meeting, but written responses will not be provided.
The meeting is open to the public, but on-site attendance is limited to
space available. Registered participants from the meeting will be
included in the MPFG and may be contacted throughout the year for
follow-up meetings to solicit additional opinions or clarify any issues
that may arise from the September 22, 2008 meeting.
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 both
on-site and by teleconference. Individuals 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 (for example, names, e-mail addresses, and
provider, and supplier types). Registration will be open beginning
August 29, 2008 and will close on September 17, 2008. Registration
after 5 p.m. EDT on September 17, 2008 will not be accepted.
The on-line registration system will generate a confirmation page
to indicate the completion of your registration. Participants should
print this page as his or her registration receipt. Teleconference
instructions will be issued as part of the confirmation page once
participants have registered through the on-line registration
instrument. If seating capacity has been reached for on-site
participants, notification will be sent that the meeting has reached
capacity; however, those wishing to participate may still do so by
teleconference.
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. EDT on September 17, 2008. Individuals who have not
registered by the registration deadline will not be allowed to enter
the building to attend the meeting or attend the meeting by
teleconference. 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. EDT. Participants should allow sufficient time to go through
the security checkpoints. It is suggested that participants arrive at
7500 Security Boulevard no later than 1:30 p.m. EDT in order to arrive
promptly at the meeting by 2 p.m.
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
the building, whether personal or for the purpose of demonstration or
to support a presentation, are subject to inspection. 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
[[Page 49684]]
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 building and will not be permitted to
attend the meeting.
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 Designated Federal Officer specified in
the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice by September
17, 2008.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.774,
Medicare--Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)
Dated: August 19, 2008.
Kerry Weems,
Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. E8-19564 Filed 8-21-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P