70 FR 140 pgs. 42330-42331 - Medicare Program; August 22, 2005, Meeting of the Practicing Physicians Advisory Council and Request for Nominations
Type: NOTICEVolume: 70Number: 140Pages: 42330 - 42331
Docket number: [CMS-1315-N]
FR document: [FR Doc. 05-14154 Filed 7-21-05; 8:45 am]
Agency: Health and Human Services Department
Sub Agency: Centers for Medicare Medicaid Services
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare Medicaid Services
[CMS-1315-N]
Medicare Program; August 22, 2005, Meeting of the Practicing Physicians Advisory Council and Request for Nominations
AGENCY:
Centers for Medicare Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.
ACTION:
Notice.
SUMMARY:
This notice announces a quarterly 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. In addition, this notice invites all organizations representing physicians to submit nominations for consideration to fill four seats that will be vacated by current Council members in 2006.
DATES:
The Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 22, 2005, from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. e.d.t.
ADDRESSES:
The meeting will be held in Room 705A 7th floor, in the Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20201.
Meeting Registration: Persons wishing to attend this meeting must register by contacting Kelly Buchanan, the Designated Federal Official (DFO) by e-mail at PPAC@cms.hhs.gov or by telephone at (410) 786-6132, at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. This meeting will be held in a Federal Government Building, Hubert H. Humphrey Building, and persons attending the meeting will be required to show a photographic identification, preferably a valid driver's license, and will be listed on an approved security list before persons are permitted entrance. Persons not registered in advance will not be permitted into the Hubert H. Humphrey Building and will not be permitted to attend the Council meeting.
Nomination Requirements: Nominations to fill vacancies on the Council will be considered if received at the appropriate address, no later than 5 p.m. e.d.t., September 16, 2005. Mail or deliver nominations to the following address: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Center for Medicare Management, Division of Provider Relations and Evaluations, Attention: Kelly Buchanan, Designated Federal OfficialPracticing Physicians Advisory Council,7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop C4-11-07,Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.
Nominations must be submitted by medical organizations representing physicians. Nominees must have submitted at least 250 claims for physician services under the Medicare program in the previous year. Each nomination must state that the nominee has expressed a willingness to serve as a Council member and must be accompanied by a short resume or description of the nominee's experience. To permit an evaluation of possible sources of conflicts of interest, potential candidates will be asked to provide detailed information concerning financial holdings, consultant positions, research grants, and contracts.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kelly Buchanan, (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/faca/ppac/default.asp for additional information and updates on committee activities.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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 (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 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 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 prior to 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. Council members are expected to participate in all meetings. Section 1868(a)(3) of the Act provides for payment of expenses and a per diem allowance for Council members at a rate equal to payment provided members of other advisory committees. 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: Ronald Castellanos, M.D. Chairperson; Jose Azocar, M.D.; M. Leroy Sprang, 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.; Gregory J. Przybylski, M.D.; Anthony Senagore, M.D.; and Robert L. Urata, M.D.
The meeting will commence with the swearing-in of one Council member. The Council's Executive Director will give a status report and the CMS responses to the recommendations made by the Council at the May 23, 2005 meeting and 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:
• Competitive Acquisition for Drugs.
• Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule.
• Part D Prescription Drug Program.
• Outpatient Proposed Rule.
• Surgical Care Improvement Partnership Program.
• Alliance for Cardiac Care Excellence Program.
• NPI-Outreach and Implementation.
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 contact the DFO by 12 noon, e.d.t., August 5, 2005, 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 Kelly Buchanan, DFO, no later than 12 noon, e.d.t., August 5, 2005, 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 DFO for distribution no later than noon, e.d.t., August 5, 2005. 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 the DFO by e-mail at PPAC@cms.hhs.gov or by telephone at (410) 786-6132 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).)
Dated: July 11, 2005.
Mark McClellan,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 05-14154 Filed 7-21-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P