[Federal Register: July 7, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 131)]
[Notices]
[Page 42022]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07jy00-86]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Health Care Financing Administration
[HCFA-1140-N]
Medicare Program; Question and Answer Session on July 24, 2000 To
Discuss Remaining Concerns About the Implementation of the Hospital
Outpatient Prospective Payment System (PPS)
AGENCY: Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), HHS.
ACTION: Notice of meeting.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces a public meeting to provide an
opportunity for hospital administrators, hospital industry
representatives, hospital professionals, community mental health
centers, home health agencies, comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation
facilities, beneficiary advocates and other interested parties, to have
pre-submitted questions and issues answered regarding remaining
concerns they may have about the August, 2000 implementation of the
hospital outpatient prospective payment system. Appropriate HCFA staff
will be present to ensure that those questions and concerns will be
answered.
DATES: The meeting is scheduled for July 24, 2000 from 9:30 a.m. until
4 p.m., E.D.T. The morning session (9:30 a.m. until 12) will be for
hospital providers and the afternoon session (1:30 p.m. until 4 p.m.)
will be for other providers; that is, community mental health centers
(CMHCs, home health agencies (HHAs), and comprehensive outpatient
rehabilitation facilities (CORFs).
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the HCFA Central Office Main
Auditorium, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Judy Hunt, (410) 786-7874 or Mary
Loane, (410) 786-1405 (for registration information and pre-submitted
questions).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On April 7, 2000 a final rule with comment period on the hospital
outpatient prospective payment system (PPS) was published. This new PPS
will go into effect for hospital outpatient services designated by the
Secretary, certain Part B services furnished to hospital inpatients who
have no Part A coverage, and partial hospitalization services furnished
by community mental health centers. This outpatient PPS was enacted as
part of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. This meeting will provide a
forum, for outpatient facilities, to receive answers to their pre-
submitted questions and issues concerning the August, 2000,
implementation of hospital outpatient PPS.
The format of the meeting will be a question and answer session.
Appropriate HCFA staff will be present to ensure that questions and
concerns will be answered.
During this session, major provider organizations are invited to
give a brief pre-scheduled statement on the coming implementation of
the outpatient PPS. Those organizations wishing to take advantage of
this opportunity should submit their statement in writing to HCFA not
less than 3 working days prior to this meeting and make copies
available to attendees on the day of the conference.
While the meeting is open to the public, attendance is limited to
space available. Individuals must register in advance as described
below.
Registration
Individuals may register by following the directions soon to be
posted on the HCFA website, www.hcfa.gov. Once individuals are on this
website, they will need to highlight the red bullet, in the lower right
hand corner, titled ``Events, Meetings, and Workgroups.'' Individuals
should also submit questions they would like to have answered, no later
than July 14, 2000, by following the directions soon to be posted on
the same HCFA website, www.hcfa.gov. The registration site will link
you to the site for submission of questions.
Each participant will be provided with a meeting agenda at the time
of the meeting.
If individuals have questions regarding registration; would like to
register by phone; or would like to submit questions regarding hospital
outpatient PPS issue, they should contact Judy Hunt (410) 786-7874 or
Mary Loane (410) 786-1405.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.773
Medicare--Hospital Insurance Program; and No. 93.774, Medicare--
Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)
Dated: June 30, 2000.
Nancy-Ann Min DeParle,
Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.
[FR Doc. 00-17136 Filed 7-6-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P