[Federal Register: April 23, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 79)]
[Notices]
[Page 22083-22084]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23ap04-96]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
[CMS-1363-N]
Medicare Program; May 17, 2004, Meeting of the Practicing
Physicians Advisory Council
AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with section 10(a) of the Federal Advisory
Committee Act, this notice announces a 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.
DATES: The meeting is scheduled for May 17, 2004, from 8:30 a.m. until
5 p.m. e.s.t.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in Room 705A, 7th floor, at the
Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington,
DC 20201.
Meeting Registration: Persons wishing to attend this meeting must
contact John Lanigan, Council Coordinator, by e-mail at
Jlanigan@cms.hhs.gov or by telephone at (410) 786-2312, at least 72
hours in advance to register. Persons not registered in advance will
not be permitted into the Humphrey Building and will not be permitted
to attend the meeting. Persons attending the meeting will be required
to show a photographic identification, preferably a valid driver's
license, before entering the building.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth Simon, M.D., Executive
Director, Practicing Physicians Advisory Council, 7500 Security Blvd.,
Mail Stop C4-11-27, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850, telephone (410) 786-2312,
or e-mail Ksimon@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://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=http://www.cms.hhs.gov/faca/ppac/default.asp
for additional information and updates on committee activities.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Secretary of the Department of Health
and Human Services (the Secretary) is mandated by section 1868 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 consultation must occur before 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, each of whom must have
submitted at least 250 claims for physicians' services under Medicare
in the previous year. 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) of the Act
provides that nominations to the Secretary for Council membership must
be made by medical organizations representing physicians.
The Council held its first meeting on May 11, 1992. The current
members are: James Bergeron, M.D.; Ronald Castellanos, M.D.; Rebecca
Gaughan, M.D.; Carlos R. Hamilton, M.D.; Dennis K. Iglar, M.D.; Joe
Johnson, D.C.; Christopher Leggett, M.D.; Barbara McAneny, M.D.; Laura
B. Powers, M.D.; Michael T. Rapp, M.D.; Robert L. Urata, M.D. Four new
Council members will be sworn-in on May 17, 2004. The new nominees to
be sworn-in are Jose Azocar, M.D.; Peter Grimm, D.O.; Geraldine O'Shea,
D.O.; and Anthony Senagore, M.D.
The meeting will commence with a status report and discussion on
prior meeting recommendations. Additionally, updates will be provided
on the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, Physicians
Regulatory Issues Team, and Competitive Bidding. Council updates will
be followed by discussion and comment on the following agenda topics:
Enrollment and PECOS.
Medical Care for Undocumented Aliens.
SNF Consolidated Billing.
Medicare Graduate Medical Education Payment.
For additional information and clarification on these topics,
contact the Executive Director, listed under 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 Executive
Director by 12 noon, May 7, 2004, 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 John Lanigan, Council Coordinator, no later than
12 noon, May 7, 2004, 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
Administrative Officer for distribution. 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
[[Page 22084]]
contact John Lanigan by e-mail at Jlanigan@cms.hhs.gov or by telephone
at (410) 786-2312 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).)
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.773,
Medicare--Hospital Insurance; and Program No. 93.774, Medicare--
Supplementary Medical Insurance Program.)
Dated: April 9, 2004.
Mark B. McClellan,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 04-8831 Filed 4-22-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P