Medicare Program; Request for Nominations for Members for the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee, 42327-42328 [05-14150]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 140 / Friday, July 22, 2005 / Notices submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) the following requirements for emergency review. We are requesting an emergency review because the collection of this information is needed before the expiration of the normal time limits under OMB’s regulations at 5 CFR 1320.13(a)(2)(iii). This is necessary to ensure compliance with an initiative of the Administration. The use of normal clearance procedures is reasonably likely to cause a statutory deadline to be missed. The Competitive Acquisition Program (CAP) is required by Section 303(d) of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 and amends Title XVIII of the Social Security Act (the Act) by adding a new section 1847(B), which establishes a competitive acquisition program for the payment for Part B covered drugs and biologicals furnished on or after January 1, 2006. Physicians will be given a choice between buying and billing these drugs under the average sales price (ASP) system, or obtaining these drugs from vendors selected in a competitive bidding process. A physician is provided an election process for the selection of an approved CAP vendor on an annual basis. The CAP election agreement will initiate physician participation and designation of their approved CAP vendor and agreement to abide by the CAP program requirements. The Physician Election Agreement will be used annually by physicians to elect to participate in the CAP or to make changes to the previous year’s selections. CMS is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by August 12, 2005, with a 180-day approval period. Written comments and recommendation will be considered from the public if received by the individuals designated below by August 8, 2005. To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access CMS’ Web site address at https://www.cms.hhs.gov/ regulations/pra or E-mail your request, including your address, phone number, OMB number, and CMS document identifier, to Paperwork@cms.hhs.gov, or call the Reports Clearance Office on (410) 786–1326. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the burden or any other aspect of these collections of information requirements. However, as noted above, comments on these information collection and recordkeeping requirements must be VerDate jul<14>2003 19:28 Jul 21, 2005 Jkt 205001 mailed and/or faxed to the designees referenced below by August 8, 2005: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs, Room C5–13–27, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244– 1850, Fax Number: (410) 786–0262, Attn: William N. Parham, III, CMS– 10167 and OMB Human Resources and Housing Branch, Attention: Christopher Martin, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503. Dated: July 15, 2005. Michelle Shortt, Acting Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs. [FR Doc. 05–14476 Filed 7–21–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4120–01–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services [CMS–3158–N] Medicare Program; Request for Nominations for Members for the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This notice requests nominations for consideration for membership on the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee (MCAC). DATES: Nominations will be considered if received at the designated address, as provided in the ADDRESSES section of this notice, no later than 5 p.m. on August 25, 2005. ADDRESSES: Mail nominations for membership to the following address: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Office of Clinical Standards and Quality, Attention: Kimberly Long, 7500 Security Blvd., Mail Stop: Central Building 1–09–06, Baltimore, MD 21244. A copy of the Secretary’s Charter for the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee can be obtained from Maria Ellis, Office of Clinical Standards and Quality, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Blvd., Mail Stop: Central Building 1–09–06, Baltimore, MD 21244, or by e-mail to Maria.Ellis@cms.hhs.gov. The Charter is also posted on the Web at https:// www.cms.hhs.gov/mcac/8b1–1.asp. PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 42327 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kimberly Long, 410–786–5702. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background On December 14, 1998, we published a notice in the Federal Register (63 FR 68780) announcing establishment of the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee (MCAC). The Secretary signed the initial Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee Charter on November 24, 1998. The charter was renewed by the Secretary and will terminate on November 24, 2006, unless renewed again by the Secretary. The Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee is governed by provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92–463), as amended (5 U.S.C. App. 2), which sets forth standards for the formulation and use of advisory committees, and is authorized by section 222 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 217A). The MCAC consists of a pool of 100 appointed members. Members are selected from among authorities in clinical medicine of all specialties, administrative medicine, public health, biologic and physical sciences, health care data and information management and analysis, patient advocacy, the economics of health care, medical ethics, and other related professions (for example, epidemiology and biostatistics), and methodology of trial design. A maximum of 88 members are standard voting members, and 12 are nonvoting members (6 of whom are representatives of consumer interests, and 6 of whom are representatives of industry interests). The MCAC functions on a committee basis. The committee reviews and evaluates medical literature, reviews technology assessments, and examines data and information on the effectiveness and appropriateness of medical items and services that are covered or are eligible for coverage under Medicare. The Committee works from an agenda provided by the Designated Federal Official that lists specific issues and develops technical advice to assist us in determining reasonable and necessary applications of medical services and technology when making national coverage decisions for Medicare. As of November 2005, there will be 15 terms of membership expiring, one of which is a non-voting industry representative. Accordingly, we are requesting nominations for both voting and nonvoting members to serve on the MCAC. Nominees are selected based upon their individual qualifications, and not as representatives of E:\FR\FM\22JYN1.SGM 22JYN1 42328 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 140 / Friday, July 22, 2005 / Notices professional associations or societies. We have a special interest in ensuring that women, minority groups, and physically challenged individuals are adequately represented on the MCAC. Therefore, we encourage nominations of qualified candidates from these groups. All nominations must be accompanied by curricula vitae. Nomination packages must be sent to Kimberly Long at the address listed in the ADDRESSES section. II. Criteria for Committee Members Nominees for voting membership must have expertise and experience in one or more of the following fields: Clinical medicine of all specialties, administrative medicine, public health, patient advocacy, biologic and physical sciences, health care data and information management and analysis, the economics of health care, medical ethics, and other related professions (for example, epidemiology and biostatistics), and methodology of trial design. We are also seeking nominations for one nonvoting industry representative. Nominees for this position must possess appropriate qualifications to understand and contribute to the MCAC’s work. The nomination letter must include a statement that the nominee is willing to serve as a member of the MCAC and appears to have no conflict of interest that would preclude membership. We are requesting that all curricula vitae include the following: Date of birth, place of birth, social security number, title and current position, professional affiliation, home and business address, telephone and fax numbers, e-mail address, and a list of areas of expertise. In the nominations letter, we are requesting that the nominee specify whether applying for a voting membership position or the industry representative nonvoting position. Potential candidates will be asked to provide detailed information concerning financial holdings, consultancies, and research grants or contracts in order to permit evaluation of possible sources of conflict of interest. Members are invited to serve for overlapping 2-year terms. A member can serve after the expiration of the member’s term until a successor takes office. Any interested person may nominate one or more qualified persons. Self-nominations are also accepted. Authority: 5 U.S.C. App. 2, section 10(a)(1) and (a)(2). (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.774, Medicare— Supplementary Medical Insurance Program) VerDate jul<14>2003 19:28 Jul 21, 2005 Jkt 205001 Dated: June 16, 2005. Barry M. Straube, Acting Chief Medical Officer, Acting Director, Office of Clinical Standards and Quality, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. [FR Doc. 05–14150 Filed 7–21–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4120–01–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services [CMS–4093–N] Medicare Program; Request for Nominations for the Advisory Panel on Medicare Education Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This notice requests nominations for individuals to serve on the Advisory Panel on Medicare Education (the Panel). The Panel advises and makes recommendations to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) (the Secretary) and the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) (the Administrator) on opportunities for CMS to optimize the effectiveness of the National Medicare Education Program and other CMS programs that help Medicare beneficiaries understand the Medicare program and the range of health plan options available. Nominees must be knowledgeable in the field of labor and retirement benefits. DATES: Nominations will be considered if received at the appropriate address, provided in the ADDRESSES section of this notice, no later than 5 p.m., e.d.t., on August 12, 2005. ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver nominations to the following address: Lynne G. Johnson, Center for Beneficiary Choices, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop S2–23–05, Baltimore MD 21244– 1850. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynne G. Johnson, Health Insurance Specialist, Division of Partnership Development, Center for Beneficiary Choices, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail stop S2–23–05, Baltimore, MD 21244–1850, (410) 786– 0090. Please refer to the CMS Advisory Committees Information Line (1 877– 449–5659 toll free)/(410–786–9379 local) or the Internet (https:// www.cms.hhs.gov/faca/apme/ PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 default.asp) for additional information and updates on committee activities, or contact Ms. Johnson via e-mail at ljohnson3@cms.hhs.gov. Press inquiries are handled through the CMS Press Office at (202) 690–6145. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 222 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended, grants to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) (the Secretary) the authority to establish an advisory panel if the Secretary finds the panel necessary and in the public interest. The Secretary signed the charter establishing the Advisory Panel on Medicare Education (the Panel) on January 21, 1999, and renewed the charter on January 14, 2005. The Panel advises HHS and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of consumer education materials serving the Medicare program. The goals of the Panel are to provide advice on the following: • Developing and implementing a national Medicare education program that describes the options for selecting health plans and prescription drug benefits under Medicare. • Enhancing the Federal government’s effectiveness in informing the Medicare consumer, including the appropriate use of public-private partnerships. • Expanding outreach to vulnerable and underserved communities, including racial and ethnic minorities, in the context of a national Medicare education program. • Assembling an information base of best practices for helping consumers evaluate health plan options and building a community infrastructure for information, counseling, and assistance. The Panel shall consist of a maximum of 20 members. The charter requires that meetings be held approximately four times per year. Members are expected to attend all meetings. This notice is an invitation to interested organizations or individuals to submit their nominations for membership on the Panel. The Secretary, or his designee, will appoint the new members to the Panel from among those candidates determined to have the expertise required to meet specific agency needs, and in a manner to ensure an appropriate balance of membership. Each nomination must state that the nominee has expressed a willingness to serve as a Panel member and must be accompanied by a resume and a brief summary of the nominee’s experience. In order to permit an evaluation of E:\FR\FM\22JYN1.SGM 22JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 140 (Friday, July 22, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42327-42328]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-14150]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-3158-N]


Medicare Program; Request for Nominations for Members for the 
Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee

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

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: This notice requests nominations for consideration for 
membership on the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee (MCAC).

DATES: Nominations will be considered if received at the designated 
address, as provided in the ADDRESSES section of this notice, no later 
than 5 p.m. on August 25, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Mail nominations for membership to the following address: 
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Office of Clinical Standards 
and Quality, Attention: Kimberly Long, 7500 Security Blvd., Mail Stop: 
Central Building 1-09-06, Baltimore, MD 21244.
    A copy of the Secretary's Charter for the Medicare Coverage 
Advisory Committee can be obtained from Maria Ellis, Office of Clinical 
Standards and Quality, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 
Security Blvd., Mail Stop: Central Building 1-09-06, Baltimore, MD 
21244, or by e-mail to Maria.Ellis@cms.hhs.gov. The Charter is also 
posted on the Web at https://www.cms.hhs.gov/mcac/8b1-1.asp.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kimberly Long, 410-786-5702.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    On December 14, 1998, we published a notice in the Federal Register 
(63 FR 68780) announcing establishment of the Medicare Coverage 
Advisory Committee (MCAC). The Secretary signed the initial Medicare 
Coverage Advisory Committee Charter on November 24, 1998. The charter 
was renewed by the Secretary and will terminate on November 24, 2006, 
unless renewed again by the Secretary.
    The Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee is governed by provisions 
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463), as amended (5 
U.S.C. App. 2), which sets forth standards for the formulation and use 
of advisory committees, and is authorized by section 222 of the Public 
Health Service Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 217A).
    The MCAC consists of a pool of 100 appointed members. Members are 
selected from among authorities in clinical medicine of all 
specialties, administrative medicine, public health, biologic and 
physical sciences, health care data and information management and 
analysis, patient advocacy, the economics of health care, medical 
ethics, and other related professions (for example, epidemiology and 
biostatistics), and methodology of trial design. A maximum of 88 
members are standard voting members, and 12 are nonvoting members (6 of 
whom are representatives of consumer interests, and 6 of whom are 
representatives of industry interests).
    The MCAC functions on a committee basis. The committee reviews and 
evaluates medical literature, reviews technology assessments, and 
examines data and information on the effectiveness and appropriateness 
of medical items and services that are covered or are eligible for 
coverage under Medicare. The Committee works from an agenda provided by 
the Designated Federal Official that lists specific issues and develops 
technical advice to assist us in determining reasonable and necessary 
applications of medical services and technology when making national 
coverage decisions for Medicare.
    As of November 2005, there will be 15 terms of membership expiring, 
one of which is a non-voting industry representative. Accordingly, we 
are requesting nominations for both voting and nonvoting members to 
serve on the MCAC. Nominees are selected based upon their individual 
qualifications, and not as representatives of

[[Page 42328]]

professional associations or societies. We have a special interest in 
ensuring that women, minority groups, and physically challenged 
individuals are adequately represented on the MCAC. Therefore, we 
encourage nominations of qualified candidates from these groups.
    All nominations must be accompanied by curricula vitae. Nomination 
packages must be sent to Kimberly Long at the address listed in the 
Addresses section.

II. Criteria for Committee Members

    Nominees for voting membership must have expertise and experience 
in one or more of the following fields: Clinical medicine of all 
specialties, administrative medicine, public health, patient advocacy, 
biologic and physical sciences, health care data and information 
management and analysis, the economics of health care, medical ethics, 
and other related professions (for example, epidemiology and 
biostatistics), and methodology of trial design.
    We are also seeking nominations for one nonvoting industry 
representative. Nominees for this position must possess appropriate 
qualifications to understand and contribute to the MCAC's work.
    The nomination letter must include a statement that the nominee is 
willing to serve as a member of the MCAC and appears to have no 
conflict of interest that would preclude membership. We are requesting 
that all curricula vitae include the following: Date of birth, place of 
birth, social security number, title and current position, professional 
affiliation, home and business address, telephone and fax numbers, e-
mail address, and a list of areas of expertise. In the nominations 
letter, we are requesting that the nominee specify whether applying for 
a voting membership position or the industry representative nonvoting 
position. Potential candidates will be asked to provide detailed 
information concerning financial holdings, consultancies, and research 
grants or contracts in order to permit evaluation of possible sources 
of conflict of interest.
    Members are invited to serve for overlapping 2-year terms. A member 
can serve after the expiration of the member's term until a successor 
takes office. Any interested person may nominate one or more qualified 
persons. Self-nominations are also accepted.

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. App. 2, section 10(a)(1) and (a)(2).

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

    Dated: June 16, 2005.
Barry M. Straube,
Acting Chief Medical Officer, Acting Director, Office of Clinical 
Standards and Quality, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 05-14150 Filed 7-21-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P
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