01-14595. Medicare Program; Meeting of the Practicing Physicians Advisory Council on June 25, 2001

AGENCY:

Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), HHS.

ACTION:

Notice of meeting.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with section 10(a) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, this notice announces a meeting of the Practicing Physicians Advisory Council. This meeting is open to the public.

DATES:

The meeting is scheduled for June 25, 2001, from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., e.d.t.

ADDRESSES:

The meeting will be held in Room 505A, 5th Floor, Hubert H. Humphrey, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20201.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Paul Rudolf, M.D., J.D., Executive Director, Practicing Physicians Advisory Council, Room 435-H, Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20201, [phone]. News media representatives should contact the HCFA Press Office, [phone]. Please refer to the HCFA Advisory Committees Information Line (1-877-449-5659 toll free)/(410 786-9379 local) or the internet (http://www.hcfa.gov/​fac) for additional information and updates on committee activities.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) is mandated by section 1868 of the Social Security 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 must occur before publication of the proposed changes. The Council submits an annual report on its recommendations to the Secretary and the Administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration 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 or Medicaid 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 members must be doctors of medicine or osteopathy authorized to practice medicine and surgery by the States in which they practice. Members have been invited to serve for overlapping 4-year terms. In accordance with section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, this Council automatically terminates two years after its date of establishment, unless the Council is renewed before the termination date by appropriate agency action. Therefore, terms of more than two years for members are contingent upon the renewal.

The Council held its first meeting on May 11, 1992.

The current members are: Jerold M. Aronson, M.D.; Richard Bronfman, D.P.M.; Joseph Heyman, M.D.; Sandral Hullett, M.D.; Stephen A. Imbeau, M.D.; Angelyn L. Moultrie, D.O.; Derrick K. Latos, M.D. (pending re-appointment); Dale Lervick, O.D.; Sandra B. Reed, M.D.; Amilu Rothhammer, M.D.; Victor Vela, M.D.; and Kenneth M. Viste, Jr., M.D.; and Douglas L. Wood, M.D. The Council chairperson is pending selection.

The agenda will provide for discussion and comment on the following topics:

• Inputs and insights on the draft instructions to implement Advance Beneficiary Notices.
• Physician Regulatory Issues Team (PRIT) update.
• Evaluation and Management Documentation Guidelines (update and discussion on medical review form).
• Physician Participation in Evaluation and Management Guidelines Pilot Studies (How to address issues of miscoding and medical review in the studies).
• Contractor Oversight Issues (provider education, customer service, medical review, and contractor performance evaluation).

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 and who wish to be scheduled to make 5-minute oral presentations on agenda issues should contact the Executive Director by 12 noon, June 15, 2001. Testimony is limited to the listed agenda issues only. 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 Executive Director no later than 12 noon, June 18, 2001, for distribution to Council members for review prior to 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 John Lanigan [phone] at least 10 days before the meeting.

(Section 1868 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ee) and section 10(a) of Public Law 92-463 (5 U.S.C. App. 2, section 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: June 6, 2001.

Thomas A. Scully,

Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.