[Federal Register: June 9, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 110)] [Notices] [Page 31006-31007] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr09jn99-89] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Health Care Financing Administration [HCFA-1080-N] Medicare Program; Meeting of the Competitive Pricing Demonstration Area Advisory Committee, Maricopa County, AZ AGENCY: Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), HHS. ACTION: Notice of meeting. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with section 10(a) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, this notice announces a meeting of the Area Advisory Committee (AAC) for the Maricopa County Competitive Pricing Demonstration on June 30 and July 1, 1999. The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (BBA) requires the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to establish a demonstration project under which payments to Medicare+Choice organizations in designated areas are determined in accordance with a competitive pricing methodology. The BBA requires the Secretary to appoint an AAC in each designated demonstration area to advise on implementation of the project, including the marketing and pricing of the plan and other factors. AAC meetings are open to the public. DATES: The 2-day meeting is scheduled for June 30 and July 1, 1999, from 10:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., m.s.t. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the YWCA of the USA, Leadership Development Conference Center, 9440 North 25th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85021, (602) 944-0569. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth C. Abbott, Regional Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration, 75 Hawthorne Street, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105, (415) 744-3501. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 4011 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (BBA) requires the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to establish a demonstration project under which payments to Medicare+Choice organizations in designated areas are determined in accordance with a competitive pricing methodology. Section 4012(a) of the BBA requires the Secretary to appoint a Competitive Pricing Advisory Committee (CPAC) to make recommendations concerning the designation of demonstration sites and appropriate research designs for implementation. Once an area is designated as a demonstration site, section 4012(b) of the BBA requires the Secretary to appoint an Area Advisory Committee (AAC) to advise on the marketing and pricing of the plan in the area and other factors. Thus far, the Kansas City metropolitan area and Maricopa County in Arizona have been designated as demonstration sites. The Maricopa County AAC has previously met on March 31, 1999, April 20, 1999, May 18 and 19, 1999, and June 7 and 8, 1999. The Maricopa County AAC is composed of representatives of health plans, providers, employers, and Medicare beneficiaries in the area. The members are: Joseph Anderson, Schaller Anderson Inc.; Rick Badger, Pacificare of Arizona; Reginald Ballantyne III, PMH Health Resources, Inc.; Donna Buelow, Arizona State Retirement System; Charles Cohen, Arizona Department of Insurance; John Hensing, M.D., Samaritan Health Systems; Mary Lynn Kasunic, Area Agency on Aging; Anne Lindeman, Governor's Advisory Council on Aging; Ben Lopez, Honeywell Corp.; Thomas Marreel, William M. Mercer Associates; Anthony Mitten, Maricopa County Medical Society; Edward Munno, Jr., Intergroup of Arizona; Susan Navran, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona; Erik Olsen, D.D.S., American Association of Retired Persons; Leland Peterson, Sun Health Corp.; Donna Redford, Arizona Bridge to Independent Living; Herb Rigberg, M.D., Health Services Advisory Group; Martha Taylor, Arizona SHIP; Clyde Wright, M.D., Cigna of Arizona; Arthur Pelberg, M.D., Schaller Anderson Inc.; Joseph Hanss, M.D., physician; and Phyllis Biedess, Director, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS). In accordance with section 4012(b) of the BBA, the AAC will exist for the duration of the project in the area, expected to be five years from the January 1, 2000, start date. This notice announces the June 30 and July 1, 1999, meeting of the [[Page 31007]] Maricopa County AAC. This meeting will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., m.s.t., at the YWCA of the USA, Leadership Development Conference Center in Phoenix, AZ. The agenda for this 2-day meeting will include a report on the June 24, 1999, CPAC meeting, reports from the Maricopa County AAC benefit package subcommittee and the timeline subcommittee, discussion of a standard benefit package, and any other outstanding issues related to the decisions the AAC is charged with making. Individuals or organizations that wish to make 5-minute oral presentations on the agenda issues should contact the San Francisco Regional Administrator by 12 noon on June 23, 1999. Anyone who is not scheduled to speak may submit written comments to the San Francisco Regional Administrator by June 25, 1999. These meetings are open to the public, but attendance is limited to space available. Authority: Section 4012 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, Public Law 105-33 (42 U.S.C.1395w-23 note) and section 10(a) of Public Law 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: June 4, 1999. Nancy-Ann Min DeParle, Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration. [FR Doc. 99-14630 Filed 6-8-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4120-01-P