[Federal Register: October 24, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 206)]
[Notices]               
[Page 61005-61006]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24oc03-104]                         

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-1253-N]

 
Medicare Program; November 17, 2003, Meeting of the Practicing 
Physicians Advisory Council

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

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with section 10(a) of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act, this notice announces a meeting of the Practicing 
Physicians Advisory Council (the Council). The Council will be meeting 
to discuss certain proposed changes in regulations and carrier manual 
instructions related to physicians' services, as identified by the 
Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (the 
Secretary). These meetings are open to the public.

DATES: The meeting is scheduled for November 17, 2003, from 8:30 a.m. 
until 5 p.m. EST.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in Room 800, 8th floor, at the 
Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, 
DC 20201.

MEETING REGISTRATION: Persons wishing to attend this meeting must 
contact Diana Motsiopoulos, The Council Administrative Coordinator, by email at dmotsiopoulos@cms.hhs.gov or by telephone (410) 786-3379, at 
least 72 hours in advance to register. Persons not registered in 
advance will not be permitted into the Humphrey Building and will not 
be permitted to attend the meeting. Persons attending the meeting will 
be required to show a photographic identification, preferably a valid 
driver's license, before entering the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth Simon, M.D., Executive 
Director, Practicing Physicians Advisory Council, 7500 Security Blvd., 
Mail Stop C4-11-27, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850, 410-786-3379. News media 
representatives should contact the CMS Press Office, (202) 690-6145. 
Please refer to the CMS Advisory Committees Information Line (1-877-
449-5659 toll free)/(410-786-9379 local) or the Internet at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/faca/ppac/default.asp
 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 (the 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 Centers 
for Medicare & Medicaid Services not later than December 31 of each 
year.
    The Council consists of 15 physicians, each of whom must have 
submitted at least 250 claims for physicians' services under Medicare 
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 of the Council must be 
physicians as described in section

[[Page 61006]]

1861(r)(1) of the Act; that is, State-licensed doctors of medicine or 
osteopathy. The remaining 4 members may include dentists, podiatrists, 
optometrists and chiropractors. Members serve for overlapping 4-year 
terms; terms of more than 2 years are contingent upon the renewal of 
the Council by appropriate action prior to its termination. Section 
1868(a) of the Act provides that nominations to the Secretary for 
Council membership must be made by medical organizations representing 
physicians.
    The Council held its first meeting on May 11, 1992. The current 
members are: James Bergeron, M.D.; Ronald Castallanos, M.D.; Rebecca 
Gaughan, M.D.; Carlos R. Hamilton, M.D.; Joseph Heyman, M.D.; Dennis K. 
Iglar, M.D.; Joe Johnson, D.C.; Christopher Leggett, M.D.; Barbara 
McAneny, M.D.; Angelyn L. Moultrie-Lizana, D.O.; Laura B. Powers, M.D.; 
Michael T. Rapp, M.D.; Amilu Rothhammer, M.D.; Robert L. Urata, M.D.; 
and Douglas L. Wood, M.D.
    The meeting will commence with a Council update on the status of 
prior recommendations, followed by discussion and comment on the 
following agenda topics:
    [sbull] Physician's Regulatory Issues Team (PRIT).
    [sbull] Power Operated Vehicles.
    [sbull] Current Status on Physicians Providing Professional 
Courtesy.
    [sbull] Provider Communications (GAO
    Report 02-249: Communications with Physicians can be Improved; 
February 2002).
    [sbull] Outpatient Prospective Payment System for CY 2004 and 
Physician Fee Schedule Final Rules for CY 2004.
    [sbull] Update on Current Procedural Terminology/Evaluation and 
Management Coding Guidelines.
    [sbull] Update on Prescription Drug Card Benefit.
    [sbull] End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Quality Initiative.
    [sbull] IG Statutory Authority and FY 2004 Work Plan.
    For additional information and clarification on these topics, 
contact the Executive Director, listed under the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice. Individual physicians or 
medical organizations that represent physicians wishing to make a 5-
minute oral presentation on agenda issues should contact the Executive 
Director by 12 noon, October 31, 2003, to be scheduled. Testimony is 
limited to agenda topics only. The number of oral presentations may be 
limited by the time available. A written copy of the presenter's oral 
remarks must be submitted to Diana Motsiopoulos, Administrative 
Coordinator, no later than 12 noon, November 7, 2003, for distribution 
to Council members for review prior to the meeting. Physicians and 
medical organizations not scheduled to speak may also submit written 
comments to the Administrative Coordinator for distribution. The 
meeting is open to the public, but attendance is limited to the space 
available. Special Accommodations: Individuals requiring sign language 
interpretation or other special accommodation should contact Diana Motsiopoulos by e-mail at dmotsiopoulos@cms.hhs.gov or by telephone at 
(410) 786-3379 at least 10 days before the meeting.

    Authority: 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: October 17, 2003.
Thomas A. Scully,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 03-26824 Filed 10-23-03; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4120-01-P