[Federal Register: September 7, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 172)] [Notices] [Page 48661] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr07se99-87] [[Page 48661]] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Health Care Financing Administration [HCFA-1078-N] Medicare Program; September 27 and 28, 1999, Meeting of the Practicing Physicians Advisory Council 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 Practicing Physicians Advisory Council. This meeting is open to the public. DATES: The meeting is scheduled for September 27, 1999, from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., and September 28, 1999, from 8:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., e.d.t. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the Multipurpose Room/ Auditorium, 1st Floor, Health Care Financing Administration Building, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244 on the 27th and in the 1st Floor Media Room on the 28th. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Aron Primack, MD, MA, FACP, Executive Director, Practicing Physicians Advisory Council, Room 435-H, Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20201, (202) 690-7874. News media representatives should contact the HCFA Press Office, (202) 690-6145. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) is mandated by section 1868 of the Social Security 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 Health Care Financing Administration no later than December 31 of each year. The Council consists of 15 physicians, each of whom has submitted at least 250 claims for physicians' services under Medicare or Medicaid 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 must be doctors of medicine or osteopathy authorized to practice medicine and surgery by the States in which they practice. Members have been invited to serve for overlapping 4-year terms. In accordance with section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, terms of more than 2 years are contingent upon the renewal of the Council by appropriate action before the end of the 2-year term. The Council held its first meeting on May 11, 1992. The current members are: Jerold M. Aronson, M.D.; Richard Bronfman, D.P.M.; Wayne R. Carlsen, D.O.; Mary T. Herald, M.D.; Sandral Hullett, M.D.; Stephen A. Imbeau, M.D.; Jerilynn S. Kaibel, DC; Marie G. Kuffner, M.D.; Derrick K. Latos, M.D.; Dale Lervick, O.D.; Sandra B. Reed, M.D.; Susan Schooley, M.D.; Maisie Tam, M.D.; Victor Vela, M.D.; and Kenneth M. Viste, Jr., M.D. The Council chairperson is Marie G. Kuffner, M.D. Council members will be updated on Managed Care Provider Protections under Medicare+Choice, Documentation Guidelines, Program Fraud and Abuse, Physicians Regulatory Issues Team (PRIT), and Medicare Reform Packet Summary Information. The agenda will provide for discussion and comment on the following topics: Practice Expense and Medicare Fee Schedule Changes for 2,000 Rural Health Clinic Issues Carrier Advisory Committees and Provider Input Nursing Home Quality of Care Initiatives Insurance Plan Conflicts Regarding Co-payments For additional information and clarification on the aforementioned topics call the contact person listed above. Individual physicians or medical organizations that represent physicians that wish to make 5-minute oral presentations on agenda issues should contact the Executive Director by 12 noon, September 8, 1999, to be scheduled. Testimony is limited to listed agenda issues only. The number of oral presentations may be limited by the time available. A written copy of the presenters oral remarks should be submitted to the Executive Director no later than 12 noon, September 15, 1999 for distribution to Council members for review prior to the meeting. Physicians and organizations not scheduled to speak may also submit written comments to the Executive Director and Council members. The meeting is open to the public, but attendance is limited to the space available. (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)); 45 CFR Part 11) (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.773, Medicare--Hospital Insurance; and Program No. 93.774, Medicare-- Supplementary Medical Insurance Program) Dated: August 30, 1999. Michael M. Hash, Deputy Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration. [FR Doc. 99-23121 Filed 9-3-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4120-01-P