[Federal Register: December 27, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 249)]
[Notices]
[Page 79125-79126]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27de02-113]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
[CMS-1234-N]
Medicare Program; February 10, 2003, Meeting of the Practicing
Physicians Advisory Council
AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with section 10(a) of the Federal Advisory
Committee Act, this notice announces a meeting of the Practicing
Physicians Advisory Council. The Council will be meeting to discuss
certain proposed changes in regulations and carrier manual instructions
related to physicians' services, as identified by the Secretary of the
Department of Health and Human Services. These meetings are open to the
public.
Meeting Registration: Persons wishing to attend this meeting must
contact the Practicing Physician Advisory Council Administrative
Officer Diana Motsiopoulos at dmotsiopoulos@cms.hhs.gov or (410) 786-
3379 at least 72 hours in advance to register. Persons who are not
registered in advance will not be permitted into the Humphrey Building
and thus will not be able to attend the meeting. Persons attending the
meeting will be required to show a photographic identification,
preferably a valid driver's license, before entering the building.
DATES: The meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 10, 2003 from 8:30
a.m. until 5 p.m., e.s.t.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at CMS Headquarters Multipurpose
Room, 7500 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.
Web site: You may access the Internet at http://cms.hhs.gov/faca/ppac/default.asp
for additional information and updates on committee
activities.
CMS Advisory Committees Information Line: (1-877-449-5659 toll
free)/(410-786-9379 local).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Rudolf, M.D., J.D., Executive
Director, Practicing Physicians Advisory Council, 7500 Security
Boulevard., Mail Stop C4-10-07, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850, (410) 786-
3379. News media representatives should contact the CMS 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 (the 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 Centers
for Medicare & Medicaid Services not 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 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 of the members of the Council
shall be physicians described in section 1861(r)(1) of the Act. The
remaining 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
[[Page 79126]]
action before its termination. Section 1868(a) of the Act provides that
nominations to the Secretary for Council membership must be made by
medical organizations representing physicians.
The Council held its first meeting on May 11, 1992. The current
members are: James Bergeron, M.D.; Richard Bronfman, D.P.M.; Ronald
Castellanos, M.D., Rebecca Gaughan, M.D.; Joseph Heyman, M.D.; Stephen
A. Imbeau, M.D.; Joe Johnson, D.O.; Christopher Leggett, M.D.; Dale
Lervick, O.D.; Angelyn L. Moultrie-Lizana, D.O.; Barbara McAneny, M.D.;
Michael T. Rapp, M.D. (Chairman); Amilu Rothhammer, M.D.; Victor Vela,
M.D.; and Douglas L. Wood, M.D.
Council members will be updated on the status of recommendations.
The agenda will provide for discussion and comment on the following
topics:
[sbull] 2004 Physician Fee Schedule.
[sbull] Physicians Regulatory Issues Team Update.
For additional information and clarification on the topics listed,
call the contact person in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section
of this notice. Individual physicians or medical organizations that
represent physicians wishing to make 5-minute oral presentations on
agenda issues should contact the Executive Director by 12 noon, Monday,
January 27, 2003, to be scheduled. Testimony is limited to agenda
topics. The number of oral presentations may be limited by the time
available. A written copy of the presenter's oral remarks should be
submitted to the meeting coordinator at dmotsiopoulos@cms.hhs.gov no
later than 12 noon, Friday, January 31, 2003, for distribution to
Council members for review before 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.
Individuals requiring sign language interpretation for the hearing
impaired or other special accommodation should contact Diana
Motsiopoulos at dmotsiopoulos@cms.hhs.gov or (410) 786-3379 at least 10
days before the meeting.
(Section 1868 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ee) 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: December 7, 2002.
Thomas A. Scully,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 02-32198 Filed 12-26-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P