99-14140. Medicare Program; June 25, 1999 Public Meeting To Discuss the Payment Classification for Respiratory Assist Devices

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 107 (Friday, June 4, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30042-30043]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-14140]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration
[HCFA-1075-N]


Medicare Program; June 25, 1999 Public Meeting To Discuss the 
Payment Classification for Respiratory Assist Devices

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

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces a public meeting regarding the 
appropriate durable medical equipment (DME) fee schedule payment 
category for respiratory assist devices (RADs) with bi-level pressure 
capability and with a backup rate feature. The meeting will provide an 
opportunity for physicians, suppliers, beneficiary advocates, and other 
interested parties to furnish information and raise issues about the 
payment classification for RADs. The meeting will address the following 
topics:
     Characteristics of the equipment.
     Whether the equipment needs frequent and substantial 
servicing in order to avoid risk to the patient's health.

DATES: The meeting is scheduled for June 25, 1999 from 9:30 a.m. until 
3:30 p.m., eastern daylight time.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Health Care Financing 
Administration headquarters, in the auditorium, 7500 Security 
Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joel Kaiser, [phone], or Gloria 
Knight, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    We are announcing a public meeting to provide an opportunity for 
physicians, suppliers, beneficiary advocates and other interested 
parties to furnish information and raise issues regarding the 
appropriate DME payment category for RADs with bi-level pressure 
capability and with a backup rate feature. The public meeting provides 
an open forum for addressing these issues. We anticipate participation 
by physicians, manufacturers, suppliers, national associations 
representing manufacturers and suppliers, the press, and other members 
of the public with an interest in issues relating to Medicare payment 
for RADs. We intend to discuss the information we have gathered and the 
general direction that we are moving concerning these topics. The 
format of the meeting will include an overview on RAD payment and 
coding topics.
    For more detailed information regarding the pending HCFA coding 
decision on RADs, you may access one of the following Durable Medical 
Equipment Regional Carrier websites for the June bulletin:

REGION A: www.medicare-link.com
REGION B: www.astar-federal.com
REGION C: www.pgba.com
REGION D: www.cignamedicare.com

    We will allow short (10-20 minutes) presentations by the public and 
our staff on these topics. The meeting will conclude with an open 
dialog during which the public may raise issues related to the topics 
discussed.
    Individuals interested in making a presentation at the meeting must 
contact Joel Kaiser at [phone] or via e-mail at [e-mail] 
or Gloria Knight at [phone] or via e-mail at [e-mail] no 
later than June 18, 1999. Individuals must identify which of the two 
topics they want to discuss during their presentation. Only a limited 
number of individuals will be able to make presentations because of 
time constraints. In an effort to assure that all viewpoints are 
represented, we will notify participants who are selected to make a 
presentation. We will not assign presentation times until after June 
18, 1999.
    While the meeting is open to the public, attendance is limited to 
space available. Individuals must register in advance as described 
below.

[[Page 30043]]

Registration

    The Office of Professional Relations will handle registration for 
the meeting. Individuals may register by sending a fax to the attention 
of Martha Dixon at [phone]. At the time of registration, please 
provide your name, address, telephone number, and fax number.
    Confirmation of receipt of your fax will constitute confirmation of 
your registration. Meeting materials will be provided at the time of 
the meeting.
    If you have questions regarding registration, please contact Martha 
Dixon at [phone].
    We will accept written comments, questions, or other materials 
specifically dealing with the issue of the appropriateness of the DME 
payment category for RADs with bi-level pressure capability and with a 
backup rate feature that are received no later than 5 p.m. on June 15, 
1999. Written submissions must be sent to: Health Care Financing 
Administration, ATTN: Joel Kaiser, Room C5-06-27, 7500 Security 
Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850.

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

    Dated: May 27, 1999.
Nancy-Ann Min DeParle,
Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.
[FR Doc. 99-14140 Filed 6-3-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P