[Federal Register: December 27, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 249)]
[Notices]
[Page 79109]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27de02-107]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
[CMS-3104-N]
Medicare Program; Renewal and Amendment of the Charter of the
Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee (MCAC)
AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces the renewal and amendment of the Charter
of the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee (the Committee). The
Committee advises the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human
Services (the Secretary) and the Administrator of the Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services on whether adequate evidence exists to
determine whether specific medical items and services are reasonable
and necessary under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Atkinson, Office of Clinical
Standards and Quality, CMS, 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop C1-09-
06, Baltimore, MD 21244, (410) 786-2881, or e-mail
matkinson@cms.hhs.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
On December 14, 1998, we published a notice in the Federal Register
(63 FR 68780) announcing establishment of the Medicare Coverage
Advisory Committee (MCAC). The Secretary signed the initial charter for
the MCAC on November 24, 1998.
The MCAC, chartered under 42 U.S.C. 217(a), section 222 of the
Public Health Service Act, as amended, is governed by the provisions of
the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (Pub. L. 92-463 as amended (5
U.S.C. Appendix 2)), which sets forth standards for the formulation and
use of advisory committees.
The Committee consists of a maximum of 100 appointed members from
authorities in clinical and administrative medicine, biologic and
physical sciences, public health administration, health care data and
information management and analysis, the economics of health care,
medical ethics, and other related professions. Each Committee meeting
will deal with one or more specific clinical topics, and will generally
include 13 to 15 Committee members. A roster will be developed and
published in advance for each Committee meeting. Members will be chosen
to serve on the roster for each Committee meeting as to their expertise
and topic to be discussed.
The Committee reviews and evaluates medical literature, reviews
technical assessments, and examines data and information on the
effectiveness and appropriateness of medical items and services that
are covered or eligible for coverage under Medicare. The Committee
works from an agenda provided by the Designated Federal Official that
lists specific issues, and develops technical advice in order to assist
us in determining reasonable and necessary applications of medical
services and technology.
II. Provision of This Notice
This notice announces the signing of the MCAC Charter Amendment on
October 30, 2002 and the renewal by the Secretary on November 22, 2002.
The Charter will terminate on November 22, 2004, unless renewed by the
Secretary.
III. Copies of the Charter
You may obtain a copy of the Secretary's Charter for the MCAC by
submitting a request to Maria Ellis, Office of Clinical Standards and
Quality, CMS, 7500 Security Blvd., Mail Stop S3-02-01, Baltimore, MD
21244, 410-786-0309, or e-mail the request to mellis@cms.hhs.gov.
Authority: 5 U.S.C. App. 2, section 10(a)(1) and (a)(2).
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.774,
Medicare--Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)
Dated: December 17, 2002.
Robert A. Streimer,
Acting Director, Office of Clinical Standards and , Quality, Centers
for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 02-32653 Filed 12-26-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P