[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 217 (Tuesday, November 10, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63068-63069]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30103]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Health Care Financing Administration
[HCFA-1048-N]
RIN 0938-AJ27
Medicare Program; Request for Nominations for the Practicing
Physicians Advisory Council
AGENCY: Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This notice requests nominations from medical organizations
representing physicians for individuals to serve on the Practicing
Physicians Advisory Council (the Council).
Section 4112 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990
established the Council to advise the Secretary of the Department of
Health and Human Services on proposed regulations and manual issuances
related to physicians' services. Four council members' terms of service
are scheduled to expire on February 28, 1999.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Nominations will be considered if we receive them at
the appropriate address, provided below, no later than 5 p.m. on
November 30, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver nominations to the following address: Health
Care Financing Administration, Center for Health Plans and Providers,
Office of Professional Relations, Attention: Aron Primack, M.D.,
Executive Director, Practicing Physicians Advisory Council, Room 435H,
Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington,
DC 20201.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Aron Primack, M.D., Executive
Director, Practicing Physicians Advisory Council, (202) 690-7418.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 4112 of the Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-508), added a new section
1868 to the Social Security Act (the Act), which established the
Practicing Physicians Advisory Council (the Council). The Council
advises the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services
(the Secretary) on proposed regulations and manual issuances related to
physicians' services. An advisory committee created by the Congress,
such as this one, is subject to the provisions of the Federal Advisory
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. 2).
Section 1868(a) of the Act requires that the Council consist of 15
physicians, each of whom must have submitted at least 250 claims for
physicians' services under Medicare in the previous year. At least 11
Council members must be physicians as defined in section 1861(r)(1) of
the Act; that is, State-licensed physicians of medicine or osteopathy.
The other four Council members may include dentists, podiatrists,
optometrists, and chiropractors.
The Council must include both participating and nonparticipating
physicians, as well as physicians practicing in rural and underserved
urban areas. In addition, section 1868(a) of the Act provides that
nominations to the Secretary for Council membership must be made by
medical organizations representing physicians.
This notice is an invitation to all organizations representing
physicians to submit nominees for membership on the Council. Current
members whose terms expire in 1999 will be considered for
reappointment, if renominated, subject to the Federal Advisory
Committee Management Handbook. The Secretary will appoint new members
to the Council from among those candidates determined to have the
expertise required to meet specific agency needs and in a manner to
ensure appropriate balance of membership.
Each nomination must state that the nominee has expressed a
willingness to serve as a Council member and must be accompanied by a
short resume or description of the nominee's experience. To permit an
evaluation of possible sources of conflict of interest, potential
candidates will be asked to provide detailed information concerning
financial holdings, consultant positions, research grants, and
contracts.
Section 1868(b) of the Act provides that the Council meet once each
calendar quarter, as requested by the Secretary, to discuss proposed
changes in regulations and manual issuances that relate to physicians'
services. Council members are expected to participate in all meetings.
Section 1868(c) of the Act provides for payment of expenses and a
per diem allowance for Council members at a rate equal to payment
provided members of other advisory committees. In addition to making
these payments, the Department of Health and Human Services provides
management and support services to the Council.
[[Page 63069]]
Authority: Section 1868 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1395ee); 5 U.S.C. App. 2; and 45 CFR part 11.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.774,
Medicare--Supplementary Medical Insurance Program).
Dated: October 30, 1998.
Nancy-Ann Min DeParle,
Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.
[FR Doc. 98-30103 Filed 11-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P
