[Federal Register: October 2, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 192)]
[Notices]
[Page 57363-57364]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02oc08-73]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
[CMS-1419-N]
Medicare Program; Request for Nominations for the Program
Advisory and Oversight Committee for the Competitive Acquisition of
Durable Medical Equipment and Other Items
AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This notice solicits nominations for individuals to serve on
the Program Advisory and Oversight Committee (PAOC) that will advise
the Secretary of Health and Human Services on the competitive
acquisition of durable medical equipment and certain other items and
services under the Medicare program. Section 1847(c) of the Social
Security Act requires the Secretary of the Department of Health and
Human Services (Secretary) to establish the PAOC. In addition, section
1847(c)(4) exempts the PAOC from the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5
U.S.C., appendix 2.
DATES: Nominations will be considered if we receive all of the required
information no later than 5 p.m., November 3, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver nominations to the following address:
Division of DMEPOS Policy, Mail stop C5-08-17, Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore MD, 21244-1850.
Attention: Ralph Goldberg or Gina Longus. Nominations may also be e-
mailed to ralph.goldberg@cms.hhs.gov or gina.longus@cms.hhs.gov.
[[Page 57364]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ralph Goldberg, (410) 786-4870 or Gina
Longus, (410) 786-1287. Press inquiries are handled through the CMS
Press Office at (202) 690-6145.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Payment for durable medical equipment (DME) is currently based on
fee schedule amounts established using reasonable charge data from
earlier years. Section 1847 of the Social Security Act (the Act)
requires the Secretary to replace the current DME payment methodology
for certain items with a competitive bidding process to improve the
effectiveness of Medicare's methodology for setting DME payment
amounts. This bidding process will establish payment for certain
durable medical equipment, enteral nutrition, prosthetics, and off-the-
shelf orthotics. In addition, section 1847(c) of the Act requires the
Secretary to establish a Program Advisory and Oversight Committee
(PAOC) to provide advice on the development and implementation of the
program.
We established a PAOC pursuant to this statutory mandate, and the
PAOC has provided advice in the development and implementation of the
program to date. On July 15, 2008, Congress passed the Medicare
Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA). Section
154 of MIPPA delays competition for Rounds 1 and 2 of the competitive
bidding program and requires certain modifications to the program.
Section 154(c)(2)(A) of MIPPA delays the termination date for the PAOC
from December 31, 2009 to December 31, 2011.
The PAOC committee continues to have an important role in the
implementation of the competitive bidding program. The PAOC members
will need to review the previous bidding process and consider all of
the MIPPA changes. Due to the length of the MIPPA delay and these
additional duties, we have decided to end the term of service for the
initial PAOC members and solicit nominees to serve for the next phase
of the program.
II. Goals, General Responsibilities, and Composition of the Program
Advisory and Oversight Committee (PAOC)
A. Goals and General Responsibilities
Section 1847(c)(3) of the Act requires the PAOC to provide advice
to the Secretary on the following:
The implementation of the program.
The establishment of financial standards, taking into
account the needs of small providers.
The establishment of requirements for collection of data
for the efficient management of the program.
The development of proposals for efficient interaction
among manufacturers, providers of services, suppliers, and individuals.
The establishment of quality standards.
Section 1847(c)(3)(B) of the Act requires the PAOC to perform
additional functions to assist the Secretary in implementing the
program as the Secretary may specify. In accordance with section
1847(c)(5) of the Act, as amended by section 154 of MIPPA, the
Committee will terminate on December 31, 2011. Committee meetings are
expected to occur on an ad hoc basis. Committee meetings will be held
in the Baltimore/Washington DC area. (We will reimburse travel
expenses, which will be based on government per diem rates and travel
policy.)
B. Composition of the Program Advisory and Oversight Committee
We have particular interest in individuals with expertise in DME,
prosthetics, orthotics, or supplies (DMEPOS) and competitive bidding,
as well as experience in furnishing services and items in the rural and
the urban marketplace. The PAOC will be composed of 10 to 12 members
from the following broad representation:
Beneficiary/consumer representatives.
Physicians and other practitioners.
Suppliers.
Professional standards organizations.
Financial standards specialists (that is, economist/CPA).
Association representatives.
Other. (If you believe that representatives of other
specialties or with other skills should be included on the committee,
you may indicate the category or respective categories and you may
nominate an individual for that category.)
III. Submission of Nominations
This notice is requesting nominations for membership on the PAOC.
The Secretary will consider qualified individuals who are determined to
have the expertise required to meet specific agency needs and who will
ensure an appropriate balance of membership. Nominations may be made
for one or more qualified individuals, and self-nominations will also
be accepted. Each nomination must include the following:
1. A letter of nomination that includes both of the following:
a. Contact information for both the nominator and nominee (if not
the same).
b. The category, as specified in section II.B. of this notice for
which the nomination is being made (for example, suppliers or
association representatives).
2. A curriculum vitae or resume of the nominee that includes a
statement of the nominee's current professional responsibilities (not
to exceed five pages).
3. A statement that the nominee is willing to serve on the
committee for its duration (that is, until December 31, 2011). This
statement should also include a discussion of the nominee's relevant
experience (not to exceed three pages). (For self-nominations, this
information may be included in the nomination letter.)
Authority: Section 1847(c) of the Social Security Act.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.773,
Medicare--Hospital Insurance Program; and Program No. 93.774,
Medicare--Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)
Dated: September 25, 2008.
Kerry Weems,
Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. E8-23159 Filed 10-1-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P