02-29362. Medicare Program; December 16, 2002, Meeting of the Practicing Physicians Advisory Council

AGENCY:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.

ACTION:

Notice.

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. This meeting is open to the public.

Meeting Registration: Persons wishing to attend this meeting must contact the meeting coordinator Diana Motsiopoulos at [e-mail] 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 CMS Headquarters 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, December 16, 2002 from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. e.s.t.

ADDRESSES:

The meeting will be held in Room 800, 8th Floor, Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20201.

Website: 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, [phone]. News media representatives should contact the CMS Press Office, [phone].

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 shall 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 are invited to serve for overlapping 4-year terms contingent upon the renewal of the Council's term. Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act requires that the 2-year term of advisory committees, such as the Council, be renewed by appropriate action prior to its termination. Section 1868(a) of the Act provides that appointments for Council membership shall be based upon nominations to the Secretary 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:

• Program Integrity Customer Service Initiative.
• Is Immunoassay Fecal Occult Blood Testing an appropriate substitution for Guiac Fecal Occult Blood Testing in the screening for Colon and Rectal Cancer?
• Educational preparation for February PPAC meeting regarding Physician Fee Schedule.
• Physicians Regulatory Issues Team Update.
• Doctor's Office Quality Project: A Physician Level Measurement and Improvement Initiative.

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, Friday, December 6, 2002, 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 [e-mail] no later than 12 noon, December 6, 2002, 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 [e-mail] or [phone] at least 10 days before the meeting.

(Sec. 1868 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ee) and sec. 10(a) of Pub. L. 92-463 (5 U.S.C. App. 2, sect. 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: November 12, 2002.

Thomas A. Scully,

Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.