98-24291. Medicare Program; September 25, 1998, Open Town Hall Meeting To Discuss the Medicare Coverage Process

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 175 (Thursday, September 10, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 48517]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-24291]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration
[HCFA-3432-N]


Medicare Program; September 25, 1998, Open Town Hall Meeting To 
Discuss the Medicare Coverage Process

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

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces a meeting to solicit comments from the 
public on proposed revisions to the process we use to make 
administrative coverage decisions in the Medicare program. Advance 
registration is required due to space limitations.

DATES: The meeting is scheduled for September 25, 1998 from 8:30 a.m. 
until 5:30 p.m., e.s.t.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the HCFA headquarters 
auditorium, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland, 21244.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron Milhorn [phone]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: At present, in accordance with section 
1862(a)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act, we use a variety of 
mechanisms to make coverage decisions, including internal staff review, 
meetings and discussions with medical experts, and technology 
assessments. Until last year, we also used a Technology Advisory 
Committee, comprised of both HCFA and non-HCFA personnel, to discuss 
and receive advice about coverage issues. We disbanded the Technology 
Advisory Committee last year following concerns raised by the General 
Accounting Office about whether the Committee complies with the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act. We have developed a plan for establishing a new 
committee that fully complies with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. 
This committee will be more open and responsive to public 
participation. We are also taking other steps to make the coverage 
review process more open and to offer a more accessible and systematic 
means for advising the public about ongoing actions regarding coverage 
issues.
    The meeting will consist of short HCFA presentations on several 
major topics central to the development of revisions to the coverage 
process followed by public discussion. The meeting will conclude with a 
question and answer session during which the public may raise any 
issues related to the topics discussed. While the meeting is open to 
the public, attendance is limited to space available. Therefore, 
individuals must register in advance, as described below.

Registration

    Casals and Associates in Arlington, Virginia will handle 
registration for the meeting. Individuals may register by contacting 
Stacey Young at Casals and Associates by mail, fax, or Internet 
electronic mail. Please provide your name, title, firm name, address, 
telephone, fax, and Internet electronic mail address (if applicable).
     For mail registration, the address is: Casals and 
Associates, 2231 Crystal Drive, Suite 814, Arlington, Virginia, 22202, 
Attention: Stacey Young.
     For fax registration, the number is 703-920-5750.
     For registration by Internet electronic mail, the address 
is [email protected]
    Casals and Associates will provide all registrants with a 
confirmation packet and background papers prior to the meeting.
    We will accept written questions, comments, or other materials, 
either prior to, or within 14 days after the meeting. Address comments 
to: Ron Milhorn (S3-02-01), HCFA, 7500 Security Blvd., Baltimore, Md. 
21244, Telephone: [phone], FAX: [phone], E-Mail: 
[e-mail]
    There is no special format for the materials; however, we request 
that commenters be clear about the issue or aspect of the proposed 
process on which they have a question, comment, or suggestion.
    After reviewing and analyzing the comments and suggestions we 
receive, we intend to prepare a notice for publication in the Federal 
Register setting forth the process for making administrative coverage 
decisions. Although our plans are to publish this notice in final form, 
we anticipate that we will provide a comment period and make any 
necessary revisions in the notice based on the comments we receive.

    Authority: Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.2)

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

    Dated: August 26, 1998.
Nancy-Ann Min DeParle,
Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.
[FR Doc. 98-24291 Filed 9-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P