E7-18113. Medicare Program; Medicare Provider Feedback Group Town Hall Meeting-October 16, 2007

AGENCY:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.

ACTION:

Notice of meeting.

SUMMARY:

This notice announces the annual Medicare Provider Feedback Group (MPFG) Town Hall meeting. This meeting is open to all Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) providers and suppliers that participate in the Medicare program, including physicians, hospitals, home health agencies, other third-party billers and other interested parties, to present their individual views and opinions on selected FFS Medicare topics. In addition, we will be soliciting input on how we can improve communications to better serve the Medicare providers and suppliers. The meeting agenda and discussion materials will be available by October 12, 2007. The public can access these materials at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/​center/​provider.asp.

The feedback provided during this meeting will assist us as we evaluate FFS Medicare policy, operational issues and CMS' provider and supplier communication activities. The meeting is open to the public, but attendance is limited to space available. Registered participants from the meeting will be included in the Medicare Provider Feedback Group and may be contacted throughout the year for follow-up meetings to solicit additional opinions and clarify any issues that may arise from the October 16, 2007 meeting.

DATES:

Meeting Date: The Town Hall meeting announced in this notice will be held on Tuesday, October 16, 2007, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. e.s.t.

ADDRESSES:

The Town Hall meeting will be held in the main auditorium of the central building of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244.

Written Questions or Statements: Any interested party may send written comments electronically. We will give consideration to feedback received on the topics discussed at the Town Hall meeting, but written responses will not be provided. We will accept and take into consideration written feedback, questions, or other statements about the town hall meeting and agenda topics before the meeting, and up until October 26, 2007. Send written feedback, questions, or other statements to Colette Shatto at [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Colette Shatto, 410-786-6932. You may also send inquires about this meeting by [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

 

I. Background

CMS has held three Medicare Provider Feedback Group Town Hall Meetings beginning in 2005. The purpose of these meetings is to capture individual provider and supplier feedback on relevant FFS Medicare policy and operational issues. As a result, we are able to further advance our efforts to strengthen the Medicare program and enhance our relationship with providers and suppliers. The Town Hall meetings also provide a venue to allow us to continue a process of communicating with individual providers and suppliers through the following year.

II. Meeting Format

The meeting will begin with an overview of the goals and objectives of the MPFG efforts to gather feedback from individual Medicare physicians, providers, and suppliers. Topics to be discussed during the meeting include, but are not limited to, FFS Medicare implementation of the National Provider Identifier (NPI), Medicare contractor provider satisfaction survey (MCPSS): “Relevancy of questions in the business functions of appeals and medical review”, Medicare contracting reform, and value based purchasing.

There will be a question and answer session that offers meeting attendees an opportunity to provide feedback on how CMS serves physicians, providers, and suppliers, as well as make suggestions on how this process can be improved. The time for participants to ask questions and provide feedback will be limited according to the number of registered participants; however, written submissions will be accepted. Individuals who wish to provide written feedback should e-mail Colette Shatto at [e-mail]. We will give consideration to feedback received on the topics discussed at the Town Hall meeting, but written responses will not be provided.

III. Registration Instructions

The Division of Provider Relations and Evaluations, Provider Communications Group, Center for Medicare Management, is coordinating the meeting registration. While there is no registration fee, individuals, providers, and suppliers must register to participate. Individuals interested in attending the meeting in person or by teleconference must complete the on-line registration located at http://registration.intercall.com/​go/​cms2.

The on-line registration system will capture contact information and practice characteristics, such as names, e-mail addresses, and provider and supplier types. Registration will be open on September 28, 2007 and close on October 12, 2007. Registration after 5 p.m. e.s.t. on October 12, 2007 will not be accepted.

The on-line registration system will generate a confirmation page to indicate the completion of your registration. Please print this page as your registration receipt. Teleconference instructions will be issued once participants have registered by using the on-line registration tool. If seating capacity has been reached, you will be notified that the meeting has reached capacity.

Special Accommodations: Individuals requiring sign language interpretation or other special accommodations must contact Colette Shatto by e-mail at [e-mail].

IV. Security, Building, and Parking Guidelines

Because this meeting will be located on Federal property, for security reasons, any persons wishing to attend this meeting must register by 5 p.m. e.s.t. on October 12, 2007. Individuals who have not registered in advance will not be allowed to enter the building to attend the meeting. Seating capacity is limited to the first 250 registrants.

The on-site check-in for visitors will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. e.s.t. Please allow sufficient time to go through the security checkpoints. It is suggested that you arrive at 7500 Security Boulevard no later than 1:30 p.m. e.s.t. so that you will be able to arrive promptly at the meeting by 2 p.m. e.s.t. All items brought to the building, whether personal or for the purpose of demonstration or to support a presentation, are subject to inspection.

Security measures will include inspection of vehicles, inside and out, at the entrance to the grounds. In addition, all persons entering the building must pass through a metal detector. All items brought to CMS, including personal items such as desktops, cell phones, and palm pilots, are subject to physical inspection.

Authority: Section 1811 and 1831 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395c and 1395j).

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.774, Medicare—Supplementary Medical Insurance Program.

Dated: September 6, 2007.

Kerry Weems,

Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.