[Federal Register: April 28, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 81)] [Notices] [Page 22872-22873] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr28ap99-58] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Health Care Financing Administration [HCFA-1073-N] Medicare Program; May 13, 1999, Meeting of the Competitive Pricing Advisory Committee 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 Competitive Pricing Advisory Committee (the CPAC) on May 13, 1999. Section 4012 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 requires the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to create the CPAC. The CPAC meets periodically and makes recommendations to the Secretary, including the designation of areas for inclusion in the Medicare+Choice competitive pricing demonstration project and suggests appropriate research designs for implementing the project. This meeting is open to the public. DATES: The meeting is scheduled for May 13, 1999, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Ramada Hotel at the Metropolitan Airport in Detroit, 8270 Wickham Road, Romulus, Michigan 48174, (734) 729-6300. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharon Arnold, Ph.D., Executive Director, Competitive Pricing Advisory Committee, Health Care Financing Administration, 7500 Security Boulevard C4-14-17, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850, (410) 786-6451. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 4011 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, (BBA) (Public Law 105-33) 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 meet periodically and make recommendations to the Secretary concerning the designation of areas for inclusion in the project and appropriate research designs for implementing the project. In previous meetings, the CPAC designated the Kansas City metropolitan area and Maricopa County in Arizona as demonstration sites. Section 4012(b) of the BBA requires the Secretary to appoint an Area Advisory Committee (AAC) in each demonstration site included in the project to advise the Secretary on the implementation of the demonstration. The Kansas City metropolitan area AAC met on March 26, 1999, and April 8, 1999. The Maricopa County AAC met on March 31, 1999. Additional meetings are scheduled for the Kansas City metropolitan area AAC on April 22, 1999, and May 12, 1999, and for the Maricopa County AAC on April 20, 1999, and May 20, 1999. The CPAC consists of 15 individuals who are independent actuaries; experts in competitive pricing and the administration of the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program; and representatives of health plans, insurers, employers, unions, and beneficiaries. In accordance with section 4012(a)(5) of the BBA, the CPAC will terminate on December 31, 2004. The CPAC held meetings on May 7, 1998, June 24 and 25, 1998, September 23 and 24, 1998, October 28, 1998, and January 6, 1999. The CPAC members are: James Cubbin, Executive Director, General Motors Health Care Initiative; Robert Berenson, M.D., Director, Center for Health Plans and Providers, HCFA; John Bertko, CEO and Senior Actuary, PM-Squared Inc.; Dave Durenberger, Senior Health Policy Fellow, University of St. Thomas and Founder of Public Policy Partners; Gary Goldstein, M.D., CEO, The Oschner Clinic; Samuel Havens, Healthcare Consultant and Chairman of Health Scope/United; Margaret Jordan, President and CEO, The Margaret Jordan Group; Chip Kahn, CEO, The Health Insurance Association of America; Cleve Killingsworth, President, Health Alliance Plan; Nancy Kichak, Director, Office of Actuaries, Office of Personnel Management; Len Nichols, Principal Research Associate, The Urban Institute; Robert Reischauer, Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institute; John Rother, Director, Legislation and Public Policy, American Association of Retired Persons; Andrew Stern, President, Service Employees International Union, AFL-CIO; and Jay Wolfson, Director, The Florida Information Center, University of South Florida. The Chairperson of the CPAC is James Cubbin and the Co- Chairperson is Robert Berenson, M.D. The agenda for May 13, 1999, CPAC meeting will include-- A discussion of a letter to the Congress requesting a change in the demonstration's budget neutrality provision; and An update and discussion of decisions made by the two local AACs. This will include a discussion and decision on a request from the Maricopa County AAC to delay the demonstration for one year and a discussion and decision on a request from the Kansas City metropolitan area AAC to permit an additional year to consider alternative methods of risk adjustment. Individuals or organizations that wish to make 5-minute oral presentations on the agenda issues should contact Sharon Arnold, CPAC Executive Director, by 12 noon, May 6, 1999, to be scheduled. The number of oral presentations may be limited by the time available. A written copy of the oral remarks should be submitted to the Executive Director no later than 12 noon, May 11, 1999. Anyone who is not scheduled to speak may submit written comments to the Executive Director by 12 noon, May 11, 1999. The meeting is 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 [[Page 22873]] Insurance; and Program No. 93.774, Medicare--Supplementary Medical Insurance Program) Dated: April 22, 1999. Nancy-Ann Min DeParle, Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration. [FR Doc. 99-10609 Filed 4-27-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4120-01-P