[Federal Register: May 7, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 88)] [Proposed Rules] [Page 24550-24551] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr07my99-24] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Health Care Financing Administration 42 CFR Part 405 [HCFA-1002-N] Medicare Program; Meetings of the Negotiated Rulemaking Committee on Ambulance Fee Schedule AGENCY: Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), HHS. ACTION: Notice of meetings. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with section 10(a) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, this notice announces the dates and locations for the third and fourth meetings of the Negotiated Rulemaking Committee on the Ambulance Fee Schedule. These meetings are open to the public. The purpose of this committee is to develop a proposed rule that establishes a fee schedule for the payment of ambulance services under the Medicare program through negotiated rulemaking, as mandated by section 4531(b) of the Balanced Budget Act (BBA) of 1997. DATES: The third meeting is scheduled for May 24, 1999 from 9:00 a.m. until 5 p.m. and May 25, 1999 from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. E.S.T. The fourth meeting is scheduled for June 28, 1999 from 9:00 a.m. until 5 p.m. and June 29, 1999 from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. E.S.T. ADDRESSES: The 2-day May meeting will be held at Doyle's Hotel, 1500 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036; (202) 483-6000. The 2-day June meeting will be held at BWI Airport Marriott, 1743 West Nursery Road, Baltimore, MD. 21240; (410) 849-8300. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Inquiries regarding these meetings should be addressed to Bob Niemann (410) 786-4569 or Margot Blige (410) 786-4642 for general issues related to ambulance services or to Lynn Sylvester (202) 606-9140 or Elayne Tempel (207) 780-3408, facilitators. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 4531(b)(2) of the Balanced Budget Act (BBA), Public Law 105-33, added a new section 1834(l) to the Social Security Act (the Act). Section 1834(l) of the Act mandates implementation, by January 1, 2000, of a national fee schedule for payment of ambulance services furnished under Medicare Part B. The fee schedule is to be established through negotiated rulemaking. Section 4531(b)(2) also provides that in establishing such fee schedule, the Secretary will-- Establish mechanisms to control increases in expenditures for ambulance services under Part B of the program; Establish definitions for ambulance services that link payments to the type of services furnished; Consider appropriate regional and operational differences; Consider adjustments to payment rates to account for inflation and other relevant factors; and Phase in the fee schedule in an efficient and fair manner. The Negotiated Rulemaking Committee on the Ambulance Fee Schedule has been established to provide advice and make recommendations to the Secretary with respect to the text and content of a proposed rule that establishes a fee schedule for the payment of ambulance services under Part B of the Medicare program. The Committee held its second meeting on April 12, 13, and 14, 1999. At this meeting the Committee heard presentations from HCFA staff. The first presenter, a representative from HCFA's Actuarial and Health Cost Analysis Group, described the methodology used in determining how the payment cap under the fee schedule was calculated. The second presenter, a member of the HCFA negotiated rulemaking team, presented historical Medicare hospital and supplier ambulance billing data. The non-government members Committee finalized the private agreement with Project Hope to obtain ambulance cost data and reached consensus on the statements of the issues to be negotiated. Each Committee member presented the member's constituency's interests. Work began on the criteria for evaluating options for the fee schedule. During the May meeting the Committee will work toward achieving consensus on the interests and on the criteria to be considered in evaluating options for the fee schedule. Discussions will then begin on the options. The announced future meetings are open to the public without advanced registration. Interested parties can file statements with the Committee. Mail written statements to the following address: Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, 2100 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20427, Attention: Lynn Sylvester. Location of future meetings will be published in the Federal Register at a later date. Public attendance at the meetings may be limited to space available. A summary of all proceedings will be [[Page 24551]] available for public inspection in room 443-G of the Department's offices at 200 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, D.C. on Monday through Friday of each week from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Phone: (202) 690- 7890) or can be accessed through the HCFA Internet site at http:// www.hcfa.gov/medicare/ambmain.htm. Additional information related to the Committee will also be available on the web site. Authority: Section 1834(l)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m). (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.774, Medicare--Supplementary Medical Insurance Program) Dated: May 4, 1999. Nancy-Ann Min DeParle, Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration. [FR Doc. 99-11560 Filed 5-6-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4120-01-P