98-33011. Medicare Program; Establishment of the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee and Request for Nominations for Members

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 239 (Monday, December 14, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 68780]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-33011]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration
[HCFA-3432-N2]


Medicare Program; Establishment of the Medicare Coverage Advisory 
Committee and Request for Nominations for Members

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the establishment of the Medicare 
Coverage Advisory Committee that will advise the Secretary of Health 
and Human Services and the Administrator of the Health Care Financing 
Administration, as requested by the Secretary, whether medical items 
and services are reasonable and necessary under title XVIII of the 
Social Security Act. This notice requests nominations for members for 
the Committee.
    This notice also announces the signing by the Secretary on November 
24, 1998 of the charter establishing the Committee. This charter ends 
at close of business on November 23, 2000 unless renewed by the 
Secretary.

DATES: Nominations for members will be considered if we receive them at 
the appropriate address, as provided below, no later than 5:00 p.m. on 
January 29, 1999.

ADDRESSES: You may mail or deliver nominations for membership to the 
following address: Health Care Financing Administration, Attention: 
Richard Coyne, 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop South Building 03-02-
01, Baltimore, MD 21244.
    A request for a copy of the Secretary's Charter for the Medicare 
Coverage Advisory Committee (MCAC) should be submitted to Maria Ellis, 
Office of Clinical Standards and Quality, Health Care Financing 
Administration, 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop South Building 3-02-
01, Baltimore, MD 21244, [phone], or by e-mail to 
[e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Coyne, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee (MCAC) is governed by 
provisions of Public Law 92-463 as amended (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2), which 
sets forth standards for the formulation and use of advisory 
committees.
    The MCAC will consist of 120 appointed members from among 
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.
    The MCAC, functioning on a panel basis, will review and evaluate 
medical literature, review technical assessments, and examine data and 
information on the effectiveness and appropriateness of medical items 
and services that are covered or eligible for coverage under Medicare. 
The panels will work from an agenda provided by the MCAC that lists 
specific issues. The panels will develop technical advice to be 
reviewed and ratified by the MCAC to assist us in determining 
reasonable and necessary applications of medical services and 
technology.
    We are requesting nominations for voting members to serve on panels 
of the MCAC. We have a special interest in ensuring that women, 
minority groups, and physically challenged individuals are adequately 
represented on the advisory committee and, therefore, encourage 
nominations of qualified candidates from these groups.
    All nominations and curricula vitae for the MCAC should be sent to 
Richard Coyne at the address above.

Criteria for Members:

    Persons nominated for membership should have expertise in one or 
more of the following fields: 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.
    We are also seeking nominations from consumer organizations. 
Representatives of a consumer organization must possess appropriate 
qualifications to understand and contribute to the MCAC's work.
    Nominations must state that the nominee is willing to serve as a 
member of the MCAC and appears to have no conflict of interest that 
would preclude membership. Potential candidates will be asked to 
provide detailed information concerning such matters as financial 
holdings, consultancies, and research grants or contracts to permit 
evaluation of possible sources of conflict of interest.
    Members shall be invited to serve for overlapping 4-year terms; 
terms of more than 2 years are contingent upon the renewal of the MCAC 
by appropriate action before its termination. A member may serve after 
the expiration of the member's term until a successor has taken office.
    Any interested person may nominate one or more qualified persons. 
Self-nominations will also be accepted.

    Authority: Secs. 1102 and 1871 of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 1302 and 1395hh).

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.773, 
Medicare--Hospital Insurance; and Program No. 93.774, Medicare--
Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)

    Dated: December 7, 1998
Nancy-Ann Min DeParle,
Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.
[FR Doc. 98-33011 Filed 12-11-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P