[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 14 (Friday, January 23, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4205-4206]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-1294]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-2298-N]


Medicaid Program; Town Hall Forum on Access to Dental Care for 
Medicaid-Eligible Children; April 6, 2009

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice announces a town hall forum to discuss access to 
dental care for Medicaid eligible children. Beneficiaries, providers, 
dentists, industry representatives, and other interested parties are 
invited to this meeting to present their views, concerns, and 
recommendations related to oral health issues. The forum is open to the 
public, but attendance is limited to space available.

DATES: Meeting Date: The town hall forum will be held on Monday, April 
6, 2009, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., eastern daylight time (e.d.t.).
    Deadline for Meeting Registration: Registrations must be received 
by Wednesday, April 1, 2009, by 5 p.m., e.d.t.
    Deadline for Requesting Special Accommodations: Participants 
requiring special accommodations should contact Cindy Ruff at the 
address specified in the ADDRESSES section of this notice by Friday, 
March 27, 2009, by 5 p.m., e.d.t.

ADDRESSES: Meeting Location: The town hall forum will be held in the 
auditorium at the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 
Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244.
    Meeting Registration: Participants may register via e-mail at 
[email protected] or by regular mail at the Centers for Medicare 
and Medicaid Services, Center for Medicaid and State Operations, Family 
and Children's Health Programs Group, 7500 Security Boulevard, S2-01-
16, Baltimore, MD 21244.
    Inquires: Send inquiries about this meeting via email to 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cindy Ruff, 410-786-5916.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    In response to Congressional hearings and Federal studies regarding 
access to dental care for Medicaid eligible children, we performed 16 
State dental reviews in 2008. We recently published a National Summary 
of those State reviews and identified several opportunities for 
improving dental care for individuals eligible for Medicaid. We 
proposed to have a Town Hall Forum to discuss these opportunities. The 
Forum will provide a venue for participants to provide feedback to us 
on various oral health issues and to discuss best practices and 
innovative delivery models for dental care. We will work with co-
facilitators, the National Association of State Medicaid Directors and 
the American Dental Association, in presenting the Forum.

II. Meeting Format

    The meeting will begin with introductions of the individuals 
participating in the meeting and an overview of the goal and objectives 
of the meeting. There will be a brief overview of the role and 
functions of Federal and State programs in delivering dental care to 
individuals eligible for Medicaid. There will be an opportunity for 
several States to briefly present information on a promising oral 
health practice in their State. The third portion of the Forum will 
focus on discussion of delivery of dental services through managed care 
organizations, payment issues, best practices/innovative delivery 
models, and recommendations for education and outreach to dental 
providers and Medicaid enrollees.
    Prior to the Town Hall Forum, we will distribute information via 
the CMS Web site including an agenda and a set of questions to be 
addressed at the Forum. The materials will be posted on the CMS web 
site at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicaidSCHIPQualPrac/02_whatsnewinquality.asp#TopOfPage. Registered participants may submit 
additional questions/comments to be considered for discussion at the 
Forum.

III. Registration Instructions

    There is no registration fee associated with attending the meeting. 
All individuals must register to attend. Because this meeting will be 
located on Federal property, for security reasons any persons wishing 
to attend must register at one of the addresses specified in the 
ADDRESSES section of this notice by the date specified in the DATES 
section of this notice. Please provide your full name (as it appears on 
your State-issued driver's license), address, organization, telephone, 
fax number(s), and e-mail address. You will receive a registration 
confirmation with instructions for your arrival at the CMS complex or 
you will be notified the seating capacity has been reached. The meeting 
is limited to registered persons, and seating capacity is limited to 
the first 250 registrants.
    Individuals requiring sign language interpretation for the hearing 
impaired or other special accommodations should contact Cindy Ruff at 
the address listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice by the date 
specified in the DATES section of this notice.

IV. Security, Building, and Parking Guidelines

    This meeting will be held in a Federal government building; 
therefore, Federal security measures are applicable. We recommend that 
confirmed registrants arrive at CMS reasonably early, but no earlier 
than 45 minutes prior to the start of the meeting, to allow additional 
time to clear security. Security measures include the following:
     Presentation of government-issued photographic 
identification to the Federal Protective Service or Guard Service 
personnel.
     Inspection of vehicle's interior and exterior (this 
includes engine and trunk inspection) at the entrance to the grounds. 
Parking permits and instructions will be issued after the vehicle 
inspection.
     Inspection, via metal detector or other applicable means 
of all persons brought entering the building. We note that all items 
brought into CMS, whether personal or for the purpose of presentation 
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 presentation or to support a presentation.

    Note: Individuals who are not registered in advance will not be 
permitted to enter the building and will be unable to attend the

[[Page 4206]]

meeting. The public may not enter the building earlier than 45 
minutes prior to the convening of the meeting.

    All visitors must be escorted in areas other than the lower and 
first floor levels in the Central Building.

    Authority: Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 
93.778, Medical Assistance Program.

    Dated: January 14, 2009.
Kerry Weems,
Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
 [FR Doc. E9-1294 Filed 1-22-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P