[Federal Register: September 17, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 180)] [Notices] [Page 50523-50524] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr17se99-82] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Health Care Financing Administration [HCFA-1090-N] Medicare Program; October 6, 1999 and November 15, 1999, Meetings of the Competitive Pricing Demonstration Area Advisory Committee, Kansas City, MO Metropolitan Area 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 two meetings of the Competitive Pricing Demonstration Area Advisory Committee (AAC), Kansas City, MO Metropolitan Area on October 6, 1999 and November 15, 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. The AAC meetings are open to the public. DATES: The meetings are scheduled for October 6, 1999, from 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., c.d.s.t. and November 15, 1999 from 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., c.s.t. ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held at the Adam's Mark Hotel, 9103 E. 39th Street, Kansas City, MO 64133. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard P. Brummel, Acting Regional Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration, Richard Bolling Federal Building, Room 235, 601 East 12th Street, Kansas City, MO 64106, (816) 426-5233. 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 (the CPAC) to make recommendations concerning the designation of areas for inclusion in the project and appropriate research designs for implementing the project. 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, MO Metropolitan Area and Maricopa County, AZ have been designated as demonstration sites. The Kansas City, MO Metropolitan Area AAC has previously met on March 26, 1999, April 8, 1999, April 22, 1999, May 12, 1999, and July 22, 1999. The Kansas City AAC is composed of representatives of health plans, providers, employers, and Medicare beneficiaries in the area. The members are: E.J. Holland, Chair, Sprint Corporation; Robert S. Bonney, Saint Luke's Shawnee Mission Health System; Hazel Borders, Beneficiary; Richard W. Brown, Health MidWest; Cynthia A. Finter, Kaiser Permanente; Tresia Franklin, Hallmark Cards; Alan O. Freeman, Cass Medical Center; Herman Johnson, Beneficiary; John W. Kennedy, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Kansas City; Mike Oxford, Topeka Independent Living Resource Center; Jean D. Rumbaugh, HealthNet; Kathleen Sebelius, Kansas Insurance Commissioner; Zarina Shockley-Sparling, Humana Health Plan; Jan Stallmeyer, Principal Health Care; Charles Van Way, M.D., St. Luke's Hospital; Barry Wilkinson, Heavy Construction Workers Local 663; and Esther V. Wolf, University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Social Welfare. In accordance with section 4012(b) of the BBA, the AAC will exist for the duration of the project in the area. This notice announces two meetings of the Kansas City, MO Metropolitan Area AAC. The meetings will be held on: October 6, 1999, from 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., c.d.s.t., at the Adam's Mark Hotel, 9103 E. 39th Street, Kansas City, MO 64133. November 15, 1999 from 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., c.s.t., at the Adam's Mark Hotel, 9103 E. 39th Street, Kansas City, MO 64133. The agenda for the October 6, 1999, meeting will include the following: A discussion of the status of local efforts to educate and inform beneficiaries, providers, and others about the demonstration. A review and contrast of the standard benefit package previously developed to the health plan benefits proposed for 2000. [[Page 50524]] A discussion of a schedule for all implementation activities leading to the start-up on January 1, 2001. Other issues involving implementation of the demonstration in Kansas City, MO. The agenda for the November 15, 1999, meeting will include the following: Reports of progress on development of risk adjustment alternatives and quality incentives. Decisions on the standard benefit package and outreach and communication initiatives for Kansas City, MO. A discussion of the bid solicitation and review process. Individuals or organizations that wish to make 5-minute oral presentations on the agenda issues listed above should contact the Kansas City Acting Regional Administrator, by 12 noon, for each of the following days: September 29, 1999, for the first meeting. November 8, 1999, for the second meeting. Anyone who is not scheduled to speak may submit written comments to the Kansas City Acting Regional Administrator, by 12 noon, for each of the following days: September 30, 1999, for the first meeting. November 9, 1999, for the second meeting. These meetings are open to the public, but attendance is limited to the space available. (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: September 14, 1999. Michael M. Hash, Deputy Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration. [FR Doc. 99-24273 Filed 9-16-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4120-01-P