[Federal Register: July 28, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 145)]
[Notices]
[Page 42852-42854]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28jy06-61]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
[CMS-1527-N]
Medicare Program; Request for Nominations and Meeting of the
Practicing Physicians Advisory Council, August 28, 2006
AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces a request for nominations and the
quarterly meeting of the Practicing Physicians Advisory Council (the
Council). The Council will meet to discuss certain proposed changes in
regulations and manual instructions related to physicians' services, as
identified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the
Secretary). This meeting is open to the public. In addition, this
notice invites all organizations representing physicians to submit
nominations for consideration to fill five seats that will be vacated
by current Council members in 2007.
[[Page 42853]]
DATES: The Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 28, 2006,
from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. e.d.t.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in Room 705A, 7th floor, in the
Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington,
DC 20201.
Meeting Registration: Persons wishing to attend this meeting must
register by contacting Kelly Buchanan, the Designated Federal Official
(DFO), by e-mail at PPAC@cms.hhs.gov or by telephone at (410) 786-6132,
at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. This meeting will be held
in a Federal Government Building, Hubert H. Humphrey Building, and
persons attending the meeting will be required to show a photographic
identification, preferably a valid driver's license, and will be listed
on an approved security list before persons are permitted entrance.
Persons not registered in advance will not be permitted into the Hubert
H. Humphrey Building and will not be permitted to attend the Council
meeting.
Nomination Requirements: Nominations must be submitted by medical
organizations representing physicians. Nominees must have submitted at
least 250 claims for physician services under the Medicare program in
the previous year. Each nomination must state that the nominee has
expressed a willingness to serve as a Council member and must be
accompanied by a short resume or description of the nominee's
experience. To permit an evaluation of possible sources of conflicts of
interest, potential candidates will be asked to provide detailed
information concerning financial holdings, consultant positions,
research grants, and contracts. Consideration will be given to each
nominee with regard to his or her leadership credentials, geographic
and demographic factors, and projected Practicing Physicians Advisory
Council needs. Final selections will incorporate the above criteria to
maintain a committee membership that is fairly balanced in terms of
points of view represented and the committee's function. Selections
will be made by February 2007 with new members sworn in during the May
2007 meeting. All nominating organizations will be notified in writing
of those candidates selected for committee membership.
Nominations to fill vacancies will be considered if received at the
appropriate address, no later than 5 p.m. e.d.t., September 15, 2006.
Mail or deliver nominations to the following address: Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services, Center for Medicare Management,
Division of Provider Relations and Evaluations, Attention: Kelly
Buchanan, Designated Federal Official, Practicing Physicians Advisory
Council, 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop C4-11-07, Baltimore,
Maryland 21244-1850.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kelly Buchanan, (410) 786-6132, or e-
mail PPAC@cms.hhs.gov. News media representatives must contact the CMS
Press Office, (202) 690-6145. Please refer to the CMS Advisory
Committees' Information Line (1-877-449-5659 toll free), (410) 786-9379
local) or the Internet at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/home/regsguidance.asp
for additional information and updates on committee activities.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with section 10(a) of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act, this notice announces the quarterly
meeting of the Practicing Physicians Advisory Council (the Council).
The Secretary is mandated by section 1868(a)(1) of the Social Security
Act (the Act) to appoint a Practicing Physicians Advisory Council based
on nominations submitted by medical organizations representing
physicians. The Council meets quarterly to discuss certain proposed
changes in regulations and manual instructions related to physicians'
services, as identified by the Secretary. To the extent feasible and
consistent with statutory deadlines, the Council's consultation must
occur before Federal Register publication of the proposed changes. The
Council submits an annual report on its recommendations to the
Secretary and the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services (CMS) not later than December 31 of each year.
The Council consists of 15 physicians, including the Chair. Members
of the Council include both participating and nonparticipating
physicians, and physicians practicing in rural and underserved urban
areas. At least 11 members of the Council must be physicians as
described in section 1861(r)(1) of the Act; that is, State-licensed
doctors of medicine or osteopathy. The remaining 4 members may include
dentists, podiatrists, optometrists and chiropractors. Members serve
for overlapping 4-year terms; terms of more than 2 years are contingent
upon the renewal of the Council by appropriate action before its
termination.
Section 1868(a)(2) of the Act provides that the Council meet
quarterly to discuss certain proposed changes in regulations and manual
issuances that relate to physicians' services, identified by the
Secretary. Section 1868(a)(3) of the Act provides for payment of
expenses and per diem for Council members in the same manner as members
of other advisory committees appointed by the Secretary. In addition to
making these payments, the Department of Health and Human Services and
CMS provide management and support services to the Council. The
Secretary will appoint new members to the Council from among those
candidates determined to have the expertise required to meet specific
agency needs in a manner to ensure appropriate balance of the Council's
membership.
The Council held its first meeting on May 11, 1992. The current
members are: Anthony Senagore, M.D., Chairperson; Jose Azocar, M.D.; M.
Leroy Sprang, M.D.; Karen S. Williams, M.D.; Peter Grimm, D.O.; Carlos
R. Hamilton, M.D.; Dennis K. Iglar, M.D.; Joe Johnson, D.C.; Vincent J.
Bufalino, M.D.; Tye J. Ouzounian, M.D.; Geraldine O'Shea, D.O.; Laura
B. Powers, M.D.; Gregory J. Przybylski, M.D.; Jeffrey A. Ross, DPM,
M.D.; and Robert L. Urata, M.D.
The meeting will commence with the Council's Executive Director
providing a status report, and the CMS responses to the recommendations
made by the Council at the May 22, 2006 meeting, as well as prior
meeting recommendations. Additionally, an update will be provided on
the Physician Regulatory Issues Team. In accordance with the Council
charter, we are requesting assistance with the following agenda topics:
Medicare Pricing for Fee-for-Service and Medicare
Advantage Plans
Pay for Performance: Cost Measurement Development
Practice Expense Update
Medically Unbelievably Edits (MUEs): Update
5-Year Review and Physician Fee Schedule
For additional information and clarification on these topics,
contact the DFO as provided in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section of this notice. Individual physicians or medical organizations
that represent physicians wishing to make a 5-minute oral presentation
on agenda issues must contact the DFO by 12 noon, e.d.t., August 11,
2006, to be scheduled. Testimony is limited to agenda topics only. The
number of oral presentations may be limited by the time available. A
written copy of the presenter's oral remarks must be submitted to Kelly
Buchanan, DFO, no later than 12 noon, e.d.t., August 11, 2006, for
distribution to Council members for review before the meeting.
Physicians and medical
[[Page 42854]]
organizations not scheduled to speak may also submit written comments
to the DFO for distribution no later than 12 noon, e.d.t., August 11,
2006. The meeting is open to the public, but attendance is limited to
the space available.
Special Accommodations: Individuals requiring sign language
interpretation or other special accommodation must contact the DFO by
e-mail at PPAC@cms.hhs.gov or by telephone at (410) 786-6132 at least
10 days before the meeting.
Authority: (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)).)
Dated: July 14, 2006.
Mark B. McClellan
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. E6-11948 Filed 7-27-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P