[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 1 (Monday, January 4, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 170-171]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-34739]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Health Care Financing Administration
[HCFA-3889-N]
Medicare Program; Open Town Hall Meeting to Discuss the Positron
Emission Tomography
AGENCY: Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), HHS.
ACTION: Notice of meeting.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces a meeting to present and discuss the
current medical and scientific evidence regarding the clinical use of
positron emission tomography scans for cancers of the head and neck,
colorectal malignancy, melanoma, lymphoma, and brain tumors. We will
discuss the clinical comparability of dedicated positron emission
tomography scanners compared to coincident imaging cameras. This
meeting represents an aspect of the evolving process for making our
coverage reviews more open and responsive to the public.
DATES: The meeting is scheduled for January 20, 1999 from 8:00 a.m.
until 5:00 p.m., E.S.T. and January 21, 1999 from 8:30 a.m. until 4:00
p.m., E.S.T.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the HCFA headquarters
auditorium, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mitchell I. Burken, M.D., (410) 786-
6861.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Currently, Medicare covers positron emission tomography (PET)
scanning for the diagnostic evaluation of solitary pulmonary nodules
and for staging of primary lung cancer. The purpose of the PET Scan
Town Hall Meeting is to convene dialogue on PET scanning for the
evaluation and management of head and neck, brain, and colorectal
cancers; melanoma; and lymphoma. We anticipate participation by
national professional medical organizations; medical equipment
manufacturers; experts in technology assessment, health policy, and
clinical research; other federal agencies; managed care organizations;
national cancer organizations; and other members of the public with an
interest in future oncology applications of PET.
The format of the meeting will include short (10-20 minutes) public
presentations on PET scanning for the above oncology applications. It
is our intent for invited panelists to stimulate further discussion
based on the presentations. This discussion will be free-flowing and
will not result in a set of advisory recommendations, or consensus
statements.
The PET Scan Town Hall Meeting will assist us in reviewing the
state of evidence for PET scanning in malignancies, as well as
understanding the viewpoints of stakeholders with an interest in PET
coverage policy.
The meeting will conclude with a question-and-answer session during
which the public may raise any issues related to the topics discussed.
While the meeting is open to the public, attendance is limited to space
available.
[[Page 171]]
Individuals must register in advance as described below.
Registration
AFYA, Incorporated in Takoma Park, Maryland will handle
registration for the meeting. Individuals may register by contacting
Cathy Freeland at AFYA, Incorporated by mail or fax. Please provide
your name, title, firm name, address, telephone number, fax number, and
Internet electronic mail address (if applicable).
For mail registration, the address is: AFYA, Incorporated,
6930 Carroll Avenue, Suite 820, Takoma Park, Maryland 20912, Attention:
Cathy Freeland.
For fax registration, the number is (301) 270-3441.
AFYA, Inc. will provide all registrations with a confirmation packet
and background papers before the meeting.
Participants who wish to display an exhibit or make a presentation
at the meeting, must contact Maria Ellis at (410) 786-0309 or via E-
Mail at [email protected] or Mitchell I. Burken, M.D. at (410) 786-6881
or via E-Mail at [email protected] no later than December 30, 1998.
We will accept written questions, comments, or other materials,
either before the meeting, or up to 14 days after the meeting. Address
comments to: Health Care Financing Administration, ATTN: Mitchell I.
Burken, M.D., Office of Clinical Standards and Quality/CAG, Room S3-02-
01,7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850, Telephone
Number: (410) 786-6861, Fax Number: (410) 786-0169; E-Mail:
[email protected]
There is no special format for the materials; however, we request
that commenters be clear about the issue or aspect of the proposed
process on which they have a question, comment, or suggestion.
Authority: Secs. 1102 and 1871 of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1302 and 1395hh).
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 98.773,
Medicate--Hospital Insurance; and Program No. 93.774, Medicate--
Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)
Dated: December 18, 1998.
Nancy-Ann Min DeParle,
Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.
[FR Doc. 98-34739 Filed 12-31-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-M
