99-25416. Medicare Program; Notice of the Implementation of the Medicare Lifestyle Modification Program Demonstration Project

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 190 (Friday, October 1, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 53394]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-25416]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration
[HCFA-3025-N]


Medicare Program; Notice of the Implementation of the Medicare 
Lifestyle Modification Program Demonstration Project

AGENCY: Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces our implementation of the Medicare 
Lifestyle Modification Program Demonstration. Lifestyle modification 
programs are increasingly becoming an approach to the secondary 
prevention of coronary disease morbidity. Such programs may reduce the 
incidence of hospitalizations and invasive procedures among patients 
with substantial coronary occlusion.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Armen Thoumaian, Ph.D. at (410) 786-
6672, or [email protected]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of this demonstration is to test 
the feasibility and effectiveness of providing payment for 
cardiovascular lifestyle modification program services to Medicare 
beneficiaries. This demonstration will test a proven and intensive 
program designed to reduce or reverse the progression of cardiovascular 
disease (CAD) of patients at risk for invasive treatment procedures. 
The demonstration will be conducted over a 4-year period at an 
estimated 15 sites. Enrollment is limited to 1,800 Part B eligible 
Medicare beneficiaries who satisfy clinical admission criteria.
    We are preparing to expand this demonstration to at least one 
additional nationwide, multi-site cardiovascular lifestyle modification 
program. An announcement of this expanded demonstration to solicit 
interested programs is expected within the next several weeks.
    We will conduct an independent evaluation of both demonstrations to 
compare the short-term and long-term outcomes and costs in providing 
this type of service for Medicare beneficiaries.

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 1395b-1(a)(1)(G) and (a)(2).

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.774, 
Medicare--Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)

    Dated: September 14, 1999.
Michael M. Hash,
Deputy Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.
[FR Doc. 99-25416 Filed 9-28-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P