[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 148 (Tuesday, August 3, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42139-42140]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-19933]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Health Care Financing Administration
[HCFA-3021-N]
Medicare Program; August 31, 1999 Open Town Hall Meeting To
Discuss the End Stage Renal Disease Network Organizations (ESRD
Networks) Activities
AGENCY: Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), HHS.
ACTION: Notice of meeting.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces a Town Hall meeting to provide an
opportunity for health care organizations, beneficiary advocates, and
other interested parties to offer comments and raise issues regarding
the development of the ESRD Networks' contract activities to begin July
1, 2000. We view this new round of contracts as an opportunity to look
at the current quality initiatives and how they might continue to
improve the quality of care that our beneficiaries receive. The next
Statement of Work will include Administration of the ESRD Program,
beneficiary assistance (including grievances), quality improvement
activities, and the collection of data to better understand and serve
the ESRD population.
DATES: The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 31, 1999 from 9
a.m. until 3 p.m., eastern daylight-saving time.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the Health Care Financing
Administration Main Auditorium, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore,
Maryland 21244.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Condict Martak, (410) 786-1366. Linda
Okimoto, (410) 786-6877.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
We contract with the End Stage Renal Disease Network Organizations
(ESRD Networks) to oversee renal dialysis services furnished by
dialysis facilities to Medicare beneficiaries. The ESRD Networks are
responsible for ensuring beneficiaries receive quality care. Every 3
years we develop a Statement of Work defining the ESRD Networks'
contract activities.
We are announcing a Town Hall meeting to provide an opportunity for
organizations representing practitioners, providers, health plans,
other purchasers, beneficiaries, and other interested parties to offer
comments and raise issues regarding the activities that will be
conducted by the ESRD Networks in their next contract beginning in July
2000. This Town Hall meeting provides an opportunity for the renal
community to provide their comments directly to the HCFA officials
responsible for writing and implementing the ESRD Network contracts.
Individuals who wish to make a short statement at the meeting must
contact Condict Martak via e-mail at cmartak@hcfa.gov or Linda Okimoto
via e-mail at lokimoto@hcfa.gov by close of business August 15, 1999.
Also, because of time constraints, only a limited number of parties may
be able to make presentations. We will notify participants who have
been selected to make a presentation. We will assign presentation times
and notify presenters before the meeting on August 31, 1999.
While the meeting is open to the public, attendance is limited to
space available. Individuals must register in advance as described
below or as described on the HCFA web site: http://www.hcfa.gov/
quality/qlty-2.htm.
Registration
The Office of Clinical Standards and Quality will handle
registration for the meeting. Registration forms may be obtained at
HCFA's web site: http://www.hcfa.gov/quality/qtly-2.htm. Individuals
may register by e-mail or by sending a FAX ((410) 786-4005) to the
attention of Condict Martak or Linda
[[Page 42140]]
Okimoto, at the Office of Clinical Standards and Quality, Quality
Improvement Group, Division of Contract Policy and Performance, 7500
Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850 until August 15,
1999. Individuals must provide their name, credentials, title,
organization, address, telephone number, FAX number, and e-mail address
on their registration form. They should also indicate whether or not
they wish to make a short statement and whether they need directions to
HCFA.
Individuals will receive an e-mail or FAX confirming their
registration. The meeting materials will be provided at the time of the
meeting.
If you have questions regarding registration, please contact
Condict Martak at cmartak@hcfa.gov or Linda Okimoto at
lokimoto@hcfa.gov.
The agency will accept written questions or other statements (not
to exceed two (2) single-spaced, typed pages), preferably before the
meeting, or up to 14 days after the meeting. Written submissions should
be sent to: Health Care Financing Administration, Attn: Steven Jencks,
M.D., Director, Quality Improvement Group, Office of Clinical Standards
and Quality, S3-01-17, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland
21244-1850.
Authority: Section 1881 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1395rr).
Dated: July 27, 1999.
Michael M. Hash,
Deputy Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.
[FR Doc. 99-19933 Filed 8-2-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P
