Medicare Program; Public Meetings in Calendar Year 2006 for All New Public Requests for Revisions to the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Coding and Payment Determinations, 14924-14926 [06-2566]

Download as PDF 14924 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 57 / Friday, March 24, 2006 / Notices • The types of forms, guidelines, and instructions used by surveyors. • Descriptions of the accreditation decision making process, deficiency notification and monitoring process, and compliance enforcement process. • Detailed information about individuals who perform accreditation surveys including: • Size and composition of the survey team; • Education and experience requirements for the surveyors; • In-service training required for surveyor personnel; • Surveyor performance evaluation systems; and • Conflict of interest policies relating to individuals in the survey and accreditation decision process. • Descriptions of the organization’s: • Data management and analysis system; • Policies and procedures for investigating and responding to complaints against accredited organizations; and • Types and categories of accreditation offered and MA organizations currently accredited within those types and categories. In accordance with § 422.158(b) of our regulations, the applicant must provide documentation relating to— • Its ability to provide data in a CMS compatible format; • The adequacy of personnel and other resources necessary to perform the required surveys and other activities; and • Assurances that it will comply with ongoing responsibility requirements specified in § 422.157(c) of our regulations. Additionally, the accrediting organization must provide CMS the opportunity to observe its accreditation process on site at a managed care organization and must provide any other information that CMS requires to prepare for an onsite visit. These site visits will help to verify that the information presented in the application is correct and to make a determination on the application. wwhite on PROD1PC61 with NOTICES IV. Response to Comments Because of the large number of public comments we normally receive on Federal Register documents, we are not able to acknowledge or respond to them individually. We will consider all comments we receive by the date and time specified in the DATES section of this preamble, and, when we proceed with a subsequent document, we will respond to the comments in that document. Upon completion of our evaluation, including evaluation of VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:26 Mar 23, 2006 Jkt 208001 comments received as a result of this notice, we will publish a final notice in the Federal Register announcing the result of our evaluation. V. Regulatory Impact Statement In accordance with the provisions of Executive Order 12866, this regulation was not reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget. Authority: Sections 1852 and 1865 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–22 and 1395bb). (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.773, Medicare—Hospital Insurance; and Program No. 93.774, Medicare—Supplementary Medical Insurance Program) Dated: March 8, 2006. Mark B. McClellan, Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services. [FR Doc. 06–2567 Filed 3–23–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4120–01–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services [CMS–1281–N] Medicare Program; Public Meetings in Calendar Year 2006 for All New Public Requests for Revisions to the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Coding and Payment Determinations Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS. ACTION: Notice. 3. Thursday, April 27, 2006, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., e.d.s.t. (Orthotics and Prosthetics). 4. Thursday, May 4, 2006, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.d.s.t. (Supplies and Other). 5. Friday, May 5, 2006, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.d.s.t. (Supplies and Other). 6. Thursday, May 11, 2006, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.d.s.t. (Drugs/Biologicals/ Radiopharmaceuticals/Radiologic Imaging Agents). 7. Friday, May 12, 2006, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.d.s.t. (Drugs/Biologicals/ Radiopharmaceuticals/Radiologic Imaging Agents). The product category reported by the meeting participant may not be the same as that assigned by CMS. All meeting participants are advised to review the public meeting agenda at https:// www.cms.hhs.gov/medhcpcsgeninfo which identifies our category determinations, and the dates each item will be discussed. Draft agendas, including a summary of each request and CMS’ preliminary decision will be posted on our HCPCS Web site at https:// www.cms.hhs.gov/medhcpcsgeninfo at least one month before each meeting. Each meeting day will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 5 p.m., e.d.s.t., except for Thursday, April 27, 2006, the meeting will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 12 p.m., e.d.s.t. ADDRESSES: The public meetings will be held in the auditorium at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244. AGENCY: Meeting Registration SUMMARY: This notice announces the dates, time, and location of the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) public meetings to be held in calendar year 2006 to discuss our preliminary coding and payment determinations for all new public requests for revisions to the HCPCS. These meetings provide a forum for interested parties to make oral presentations or to submit written comments in response to preliminary coding and payment determinations. Discussion will be directed toward responses to our specific preliminary recommendations and will include all items on the public meeting agenda. DATES: Meeting Dates: The following are the 2006 HCPCS public meeting dates: 1. Tuesday, April 25, 2006, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.d.s.t. (Durable Medical Equipment (DME) and Accessories). 2. Wednesday, April 26, 2006, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.d.s.t. (Orthotics and Prosthetics). Registration Procedures: Registration can be completed online at https:// www.cms.hhs.gov/medhcpcsgeninfo. To register by telephone or e-mail, for the April 25, April 26, and April 27, 2006 meetings, contact Felicia Eggleston at Eggleston.Felicia@cms.hhs.gov or telephone (410) 786–9287; or Trish Brooks at Brooks.Trish@cms.hhs.gov or telephone (410) 786–4561. For the May 4, May 5, May 11, and May 12, 2006 meetings, contact Jennifer Carver at Carver.Jennifer@cms.hhs.gov or telephone (410) 786–6610; or Gloria Knight at Knight.Gloria@cms.hhs.gov or telephone (410) 786–4598. The following information must be provided when registering: Name, company name and address, telephone and fax numbers, e-mail address, and special needs information. A CMS staff member will confirm your registration by mail, e-mail, or fax. Registration Deadlines: Individuals must register for each date they plan either to attend or to provide a presentation. For the April 25, 26, and PO 00000 Frm 00093 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\24MRN1.SGM 24MRN1 wwhite on PROD1PC61 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 57 / Friday, March 24, 2006 / Notices 27 public meeting dates, the deadline for registration is April 18, 2006; for the May 4 and 5, 2006 public meeting, the deadline for registration is April 27, 2006; for the May 11 and 12 public meetings, the deadline for registration is May 4, 2006. Primary Speakers: Individuals must also indicate whether they are the ‘‘primary speaker’’ for an agenda item. Primary speakers must be designated by the entity that submitted the HCPCS coding request. When registering, primary speakers must provide a brief written statement regarding the nature of the information they intend to provide, and advise the HCPCS Public Meeting Coordinator regarding needs for audio/visual support. In order to avoid disruption of the meeting and ensure compatibility with our systems, tapes and disk files are tested and arranged in speaker sequence well in advance of the meeting. We will accept tapes and disk files that are received by the deadline for each public meeting, as listed in section I–A titled ‘‘Oral Presentation Procedures.’’ The sum of all materials including presentation may not exceed 10 pages (each side of a page counts as 1 page). An exception will be made to the 10-page limit for relevant studies published between the application deadline and the public meeting date, in which case, we would like a copy of the entire study as published as soon as possible. These materials may be delivered by regular mail (postmark date no later than deadline date) or by e-mail to the respective HCPCS Public Meeting Coordinators listed under the section titled ‘‘Meeting Registration.’’ Individuals will need to provide 35 copies if materials are delivered by mail. 5-Minute Speakers: In order to afford the same opportunity to all attendees, there is no pre-registration for 5-minute speakers. Attendees can sign up only on the day of the meeting to do a 5-minute presentation. They must provide their name, company name and address, contact information as specified on the sign-up sheet, and identify the specific agenda item that will be addressed. Web Site: Additional details regarding the public meeting process for all new public requests for revisions to the HCPCS, along with information on how to register and guidelines for an effective presentation, will be posted at least 1 month before the first meeting date on the HCPCS Web site: https:// www.cms.hhs.gov/medhcpcsgeninfo. Individuals who intend to provide a presentation at a public meeting need to familiarize themselves with the HCPCS Web site and the valuable information it provides to prospective registrants. The VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:26 Mar 23, 2006 Jkt 208001 same URL, the HCPCS Web site, also contains a document titled ‘‘The Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Level II Coding Procedures,’’ which is a description of the HCPCS coding process, including a detailed explanation of the procedures used to make coding and payment determinations for all the products, supplies, and services that are coded in the HCPCS. A summary of each public meeting will be posted on the HCPCS Web site by the end of August 2006. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 21, 2000, the Congress passed the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 (BIPA) (Pub. L. 106–554). Section 531(b) of BIPA mandated that we establish procedures that permit public consultation for coding and payment determinations for new durable medical equipment (DME) under Medicare Part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act (the Act). The procedures and public meetings announced in this notice for new DME are in response to the mandate of section 531(b) of BIPA. We published a notice in the November 23, 2001 Federal Register (66 FR 58743) providing information regarding the establishment of the public meeting process for DME. It is our intent to distribute any materials submitted to CMS to the HCPCS workgroup members for their consideration. CMS and the HCPCS workgroup members require sufficient preparation time to review all relevant materials. For this reason, our HCPCS Public Meeting Coordinators will only accept and review presentation materials received by the deadline for each public meeting, as listed in section I–A titled ‘‘Oral Presentation Procedures.’’ Therefore, we are implementing a 10-page submission limit and firm deadlines for receipt of any materials and presentations the meeting participant wishes CMS to consider. The public meeting process provides an opportunity for the public to become aware of coding changes under consideration, as well as an opportunity for CMS to gather public input. I. Presentations and Comment Format We can only estimate the amount of meeting time that will be needed since it is difficult to anticipate the total number of speakers for each meeting. Meeting participants should arrive early since each meeting is anticipated to begin promptly at 9 a.m. Speakers need to arrive prepared and wait until it is their turn to speak. Meetings may end earlier than the stated ending time. PO 00000 Frm 00094 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 14925 A. Oral Presentation Procedures Individuals who are planning to provide an oral presentation must register as provided under the section titled ‘‘Meeting Registration.’’ Materials and writings that will be used in support of an oral presentation should be submitted to the HCPCS Public Meeting Coordinators as listed under the section titled ‘‘Meeting Registration.’’ The deadline for submitting materials and writings that will be used in support of an oral presentation are as follows: For the April 25, 26, and 27, 2006 public meetings, the deadline is April 11, 2006; for the May 4 and 5, 2006 public meetings, the deadline is April 20, 2006; for the May 11 and 12, 2006 meetings, the deadline is April 26, 2006. These materials may be delivered by regular mail (postmark date no later than deadline date) or by e-mail to the respective HCPCS Public Meeting Coordinators listed in the section titled ‘‘Meeting Registration.’’ Individuals will need to include 35 copies if materials are delivered by mail. B. Primary Speaker Presentations The individual or entity requesting revisions to the HCPCS coding system for a particular agenda item may designate one ‘‘primary speaker’’ to make a presentation for a maximum of 15 minutes. Fifteen minutes is the total time interval for the presentation, and the presentation must incorporate the demonstration, set-up, and distribution of material. In establishing the public meeting agenda, we may group multiple, related requests under the same agenda item. In that case, we will decide whether additional time will be allotted, and may opt to increase the amount of time allotted to the speaker by increments of less than 15 minutes. In other words, the amount of time allotted to aggregate proposals might not be expanded exponentially by the number of requests. We will post ‘‘Guidelines for Participation in Public Meetings for All New Public Requests for Revisions to the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Coding and Payment Determinations’’ on the official HCPCS Web site at least a month before the first public meeting in 2006 for all new public requests for revisions to the HCPCS. Individuals designated to be the primary speaker must register to attend the meeting using the registration procedures described under the section titled ‘‘Meeting Registration’’ and, at least 15 days before the meeting, contact the appropriate HCPCS Public Meeting E:\FR\FM\24MRN1.SGM 24MRN1 14926 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 57 / Friday, March 24, 2006 / Notices Coordinators, listed under the section titled ‘‘Meeting Registration.’’ C. ‘‘5-Minute’’ Speaker Presentations Meeting attendees can sign up at the meeting, on a first-come, first-served basis, to make 5-minute presentations on individual agenda items. Based on the number of items on the agenda and the progress of the meeting, a determination will be made at the meeting by the meeting coordinator and the meeting moderator regarding how many 5-minute speakers can be accommodated. D. Speaker Declaration On the day of the meeting, before the end of the meeting, all primary speakers and 5-minute speakers must provide a brief written summary of their comments and conclusions to the HCPCS Public Meeting Coordinator. The primary speakers and the 5minute speakers must declare in their presentations at the meeting, as well as in their written summaries, whether they have any financial involvement with the manufacturers or competitors of any items or services being discussed; this includes any payment, salary, remuneration, or benefit provided to that speaker by the manufacturer or the manufacturer’s representatives. wwhite on PROD1PC61 with NOTICES E. Written Comments From Meeting Attendees Written comments are welcome from all persons in attendance at a public meeting, regardless of whether they make an oral presentation. Written comments can be submitted either at the meeting or before the meeting via e-mail to https://www.cms.hhs.gov/ medhcpcsgeninfo or via regular mail to the HCPCS Public Meeting Coordinator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop C5–08–27, Baltimore, MD 21244. Written comments to this address are also accepted from the general public anytime up to the date of the public meeting at which a request is discussed. Due to the close timing of the public meetings, subsequent workgroup reconsiderations, and final decisions, we are able to consider only those comments received in writing by the close of the public meeting at which the request is discussed. II. Security, Building, and Parking Guidelines The meetings are held in a Federal government building; therefore, Federal security measures are applicable. In planning your arrival time, we recommend allowing additional time to clear security. In order to gain access to VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:26 Mar 23, 2006 Jkt 208001 the building and grounds, participants must bring government-issued photo identification and a copy of your written meeting registration confirmation. Persons without proper identification may be denied access. Individuals who are not registered in advance will not be permitted to enter the building and will be unable to attend the meeting. The public may not enter the building earlier than 30 to 45 minutes before the convening of the meeting each day. Security measures will also 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, whether personal or for the purpose of demonstration or to support a presentation, are subject to inspection. We cannot assume responsibility for coordinating the receipt, transfer, transport, storage, setup, safety, or timely arrival of any personal belongings or items used for demonstration or to support a presentation. Parking permits and instructions are issued upon arrival by the guards at the main entrance. All visitors must be escorted in areas other than the lower and first-floor levels in the Central Building. III. Special Accommodations Individuals attending a meeting who are hearing or visually impaired and have special requirements, or a condition that requires special assistance or accommodations, must provide this information when registering for the meeting. Authority: Sections 1102 and 1871 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1302 and 42 U.S.C. 139hh). Dated: March 10, 2006. Mark B. McClellan, Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. [FR Doc. 06–2566 Filed 3–23–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4120–01–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Administration for Children and Families Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request Title: Evaluation of Child Care Subsidy Strategies. OMB No.: New Collection. Description: To conduct three experiments to test aspects of the child care subsidy system. One of these PO 00000 Frm 00095 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 experiments will occur in Cook County, Illinois; one will occur in Washington State; and one will occur in Massachusetts. Illinois. The State of Illinois has agreed to conduct an experiment in Cook County to test the impact of receiving a child care subsidy on parental employment and income and on the stability of child care arrangements. For the experiment, families with incomes above the current income eligibility ceiling who apply or reapply for subsidies will be approved to receive subsidies. In addition, the experiment will test the effects of a longer certification period by certifying eligibility for some families in the treatment group for six months and other families for one year. Families in the treatment group will retain eligibility for subsidies over the twoyear study period, provided their income remains below the experimental limit, they reapply when their certification ends, and they comply with other requirements (e.g., continue to work). Outcomes will be measured through administrative records and periodic interviews with parents. Washington. In Washington State, the study will test a co-payment schedule that smoothes out the currently abrupt increases in co-payments that occur when a family moves from one income category to the next and reduces the copayment burden for many families. Families that apply (or reapply) for subsidies and are determined to be eligible under current rules will be randomly assigned to the experimental co-payment schedule or the existing schedule. (Families with co-payments from the experimental schedule will either pay the same amount, or less, than families whose co-payments are calculated using the existing schedule.) Families will retain the same copayment schedule for two years, provided they continue to be eligible for subsidies. Outcomes will be measured through analysis of administrative data and periodic interviews with parents. Massachusetts. In Massachusetts, the study is an experimental test of the effectiveness of a developmental curriculum implemented in family child care homes. Family child care providers who serve subsidized and other lowincome children and are linked to family child care networks will be randomly assigned to a treatment or control group. Providers in the treatment group will use the developmental curriculum and be trained through regular visits to the home by specially trained mentors. These providers will receive materials to use with children from 0 to 5 years E:\FR\FM\24MRN1.SGM 24MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 57 (Friday, March 24, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14924-14926]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-2566]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-1281-N]


Medicare Program; Public Meetings in Calendar Year 2006 for All 
New Public Requests for Revisions to the Healthcare Common Procedure 
Coding System (HCPCS) Coding and Payment Determinations

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

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: This notice announces the dates, time, and location of the 
Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) public meetings to be 
held in calendar year 2006 to discuss our preliminary coding and 
payment determinations for all new public requests for revisions to the 
HCPCS.
    These meetings provide a forum for interested parties to make oral 
presentations or to submit written comments in response to preliminary 
coding and payment determinations. Discussion will be directed toward 
responses to our specific preliminary recommendations and will include 
all items on the public meeting agenda.

DATES: Meeting Dates: The following are the 2006 HCPCS public meeting 
dates:
    1. Tuesday, April 25, 2006, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.d.s.t. (Durable 
Medical Equipment (DME) and Accessories).
    2. Wednesday, April 26, 2006, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.d.s.t. (Orthotics 
and Prosthetics).
    3. Thursday, April 27, 2006, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., e.d.s.t. (Orthotics 
and Prosthetics).
    4. Thursday, May 4, 2006, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.d.s.t. (Supplies and 
Other).
    5. Friday, May 5, 2006, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.d.s.t. (Supplies and 
Other).
    6. Thursday, May 11, 2006, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.d.s.t. (Drugs/
Biologicals/Radiopharmaceuticals/Radiologic Imaging Agents).
    7. Friday, May 12, 2006, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.d.s.t. (Drugs/
Biologicals/Radiopharmaceuticals/Radiologic Imaging Agents).

    The product category reported by the meeting participant may not be 
the same as that assigned by CMS. All meeting participants are advised 
to review the public meeting agenda at https://www.cms.hhs.gov/
medhcpcsgeninfo which identifies our category determinations, and the 
dates each item will be discussed. Draft agendas, including a summary 
of each request and CMS' preliminary decision will be posted on our 
HCPCS Web site at https://www.cms.hhs.gov/ medhcpcsgeninfo at least one 
month before each meeting.
    Each meeting day will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 5 p.m., e.d.s.t., 
except for Thursday, April 27, 2006, the meeting will begin at 9 a.m. 
and end at 12 p.m., e.d.s.t.

ADDRESSES: The public meetings will be held in the auditorium at the 
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, 
Baltimore, Maryland 21244.

Meeting Registration

    Registration Procedures: Registration can be completed online at 
https://www.cms.hhs.gov/medhcpcsgeninfo. To register by telephone or e-
mail, for the April 25, April 26, and April 27, 2006 meetings, contact 
Felicia Eggleston at Eggleston.Felicia@cms.hhs.gov or telephone (410) 
786-9287; or Trish Brooks at Brooks.Trish@cms.hhs.gov or telephone 
(410) 786-4561.
    For the May 4, May 5, May 11, and May 12, 2006 meetings, contact 
Jennifer Carver at Carver.Jennifer@cms.hhs.gov or telephone (410) 786-
6610; or Gloria Knight at Knight.Gloria@cms.hhs.gov or telephone (410) 
786-4598.
    The following information must be provided when registering: Name, 
company name and address, telephone and fax numbers, e-mail address, 
and special needs information. A CMS staff member will confirm your 
registration by mail, e-mail, or fax.
    Registration Deadlines: Individuals must register for each date 
they plan either to attend or to provide a presentation. For the April 
25, 26, and

[[Page 14925]]

27 public meeting dates, the deadline for registration is April 18, 
2006; for the May 4 and 5, 2006 public meeting, the deadline for 
registration is April 27, 2006; for the May 11 and 12 public meetings, 
the deadline for registration is May 4, 2006.
    Primary Speakers: Individuals must also indicate whether they are 
the ``primary speaker'' for an agenda item. Primary speakers must be 
designated by the entity that submitted the HCPCS coding request. When 
registering, primary speakers must provide a brief written statement 
regarding the nature of the information they intend to provide, and 
advise the HCPCS Public Meeting Coordinator regarding needs for audio/
visual support. In order to avoid disruption of the meeting and ensure 
compatibility with our systems, tapes and disk files are tested and 
arranged in speaker sequence well in advance of the meeting. We will 
accept tapes and disk files that are received by the deadline for each 
public meeting, as listed in section I-A titled ``Oral Presentation 
Procedures.'' The sum of all materials including presentation may not 
exceed 10 pages (each side of a page counts as 1 page). An exception 
will be made to the 10-page limit for relevant studies published 
between the application deadline and the public meeting date, in which 
case, we would like a copy of the entire study as published as soon as 
possible.
    These materials may be delivered by regular mail (postmark date no 
later than deadline date) or by e-mail to the respective HCPCS Public 
Meeting Coordinators listed under the section titled ``Meeting 
Registration.'' Individuals will need to provide 35 copies if materials 
are delivered by mail.
    5-Minute Speakers: In order to afford the same opportunity to all 
attendees, there is no pre-registration for 5-minute speakers. 
Attendees can sign up only on the day of the meeting to do a 5-minute 
presentation. They must provide their name, company name and address, 
contact information as specified on the sign-up sheet, and identify the 
specific agenda item that will be addressed.
    Web Site: Additional details regarding the public meeting process 
for all new public requests for revisions to the HCPCS, along with 
information on how to register and guidelines for an effective 
presentation, will be posted at least 1 month before the first meeting 
date on the HCPCS Web site: https://www.cms.hhs.gov/medhcpcsgeninfo. 
Individuals who intend to provide a presentation at a public meeting 
need to familiarize themselves with the HCPCS Web site and the valuable 
information it provides to prospective registrants. The same URL, the 
HCPCS Web site, also contains a document titled ``The Healthcare Common 
Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Level II Coding Procedures,'' which is 
a description of the HCPCS coding process, including a detailed 
explanation of the procedures used to make coding and payment 
determinations for all the products, supplies, and services that are 
coded in the HCPCS. A summary of each public meeting will be posted on 
the HCPCS Web site by the end of August 2006.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 21, 2000, the Congress passed 
the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection 
Act of 2000 (BIPA) (Pub. L. 106-554). Section 531(b) of BIPA mandated 
that we establish procedures that permit public consultation for coding 
and payment determinations for new durable medical equipment (DME) 
under Medicare Part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act (the 
Act). The procedures and public meetings announced in this notice for 
new DME are in response to the mandate of section 531(b) of BIPA.
    We published a notice in the November 23, 2001 Federal Register (66 
FR 58743) providing information regarding the establishment of the 
public meeting process for DME. It is our intent to distribute any 
materials submitted to CMS to the HCPCS workgroup members for their 
consideration. CMS and the HCPCS workgroup members require sufficient 
preparation time to review all relevant materials. For this reason, our 
HCPCS Public Meeting Coordinators will only accept and review 
presentation materials received by the deadline for each public 
meeting, as listed in section I-A titled ``Oral Presentation 
Procedures.'' Therefore, we are implementing a 10-page submission limit 
and firm deadlines for receipt of any materials and presentations the 
meeting participant wishes CMS to consider.
    The public meeting process provides an opportunity for the public 
to become aware of coding changes under consideration, as well as an 
opportunity for CMS to gather public input.

I. Presentations and Comment Format

    We can only estimate the amount of meeting time that will be needed 
since it is difficult to anticipate the total number of speakers for 
each meeting. Meeting participants should arrive early since each 
meeting is anticipated to begin promptly at 9 a.m. Speakers need to 
arrive prepared and wait until it is their turn to speak. Meetings may 
end earlier than the stated ending time.

A. Oral Presentation Procedures

    Individuals who are planning to provide an oral presentation must 
register as provided under the section titled ``Meeting Registration.'' 
Materials and writings that will be used in support of an oral 
presentation should be submitted to the HCPCS Public Meeting 
Coordinators as listed under the section titled ``Meeting 
Registration.''
    The deadline for submitting materials and writings that will be 
used in support of an oral presentation are as follows: For the April 
25, 26, and 27, 2006 public meetings, the deadline is April 11, 2006; 
for the May 4 and 5, 2006 public meetings, the deadline is April 20, 
2006; for the May 11 and 12, 2006 meetings, the deadline is April 26, 
2006. These materials may be delivered by regular mail (postmark date 
no later than deadline date) or by e-mail to the respective HCPCS 
Public Meeting Coordinators listed in the section titled ``Meeting 
Registration.'' Individuals will need to include 35 copies if materials 
are delivered by mail.

B. Primary Speaker Presentations

    The individual or entity requesting revisions to the HCPCS coding 
system for a particular agenda item may designate one ``primary 
speaker'' to make a presentation for a maximum of 15 minutes. Fifteen 
minutes is the total time interval for the presentation, and the 
presentation must incorporate the demonstration, set-up, and 
distribution of material. In establishing the public meeting agenda, we 
may group multiple, related requests under the same agenda item. In 
that case, we will decide whether additional time will be allotted, and 
may opt to increase the amount of time allotted to the speaker by 
increments of less than 15 minutes. In other words, the amount of time 
allotted to aggregate proposals might not be expanded exponentially by 
the number of requests.
    We will post ``Guidelines for Participation in Public Meetings for 
All New Public Requests for Revisions to the Healthcare Common 
Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Coding and Payment Determinations'' on 
the official HCPCS Web site at least a month before the first public 
meeting in 2006 for all new public requests for revisions to the HCPCS. 
Individuals designated to be the primary speaker must register to 
attend the meeting using the registration procedures described under 
the section titled ``Meeting Registration'' and, at least 15 days 
before the meeting, contact the appropriate HCPCS Public Meeting

[[Page 14926]]

Coordinators, listed under the section titled ``Meeting Registration.''

C. ``5-Minute'' Speaker Presentations

    Meeting attendees can sign up at the meeting, on a first-come, 
first-served basis, to make 5-minute presentations on individual agenda 
items. Based on the number of items on the agenda and the progress of 
the meeting, a determination will be made at the meeting by the meeting 
coordinator and the meeting moderator regarding how many 5-minute 
speakers can be accommodated.

D. Speaker Declaration

    On the day of the meeting, before the end of the meeting, all 
primary speakers and 5-minute speakers must provide a brief written 
summary of their comments and conclusions to the HCPCS Public Meeting 
Coordinator.
    The primary speakers and the 5-minute speakers must declare in 
their presentations at the meeting, as well as in their written 
summaries, whether they have any financial involvement with the 
manufacturers or competitors of any items or services being discussed; 
this includes any payment, salary, remuneration, or benefit provided to 
that speaker by the manufacturer or the manufacturer's representatives.

E. Written Comments From Meeting Attendees

    Written comments are welcome from all persons in attendance at a 
public meeting, regardless of whether they make an oral presentation. 
Written comments can be submitted either at the meeting or before the 
meeting via e-mail to https://www.cms.hhs.gov/medhcpcsgeninfo or via 
regular mail to the HCPCS Public Meeting Coordinator, Centers for 
Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop C5-08-
27, Baltimore, MD 21244. Written comments to this address are also 
accepted from the general public anytime up to the date of the public 
meeting at which a request is discussed. Due to the close timing of the 
public meetings, subsequent workgroup reconsiderations, and final 
decisions, we are able to consider only those comments received in 
writing by the close of the public meeting at which the request is 
discussed.

II. Security, Building, and Parking Guidelines

    The meetings are held in a Federal government building; therefore, 
Federal security measures are applicable. In planning your arrival 
time, we recommend allowing additional time to clear security. In order 
to gain access to the building and grounds, participants must bring 
government-issued photo identification and a copy of your written 
meeting registration confirmation. Persons without proper 
identification may be denied access.
    Individuals who are not registered in advance will not be permitted 
to enter the building and will be unable to attend the meeting. The 
public may not enter the building earlier than 30 to 45 minutes before 
the convening of the meeting each day.
    Security measures will also 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, whether personal or for the purpose of demonstration or 
to support a presentation, are subject to inspection. We cannot assume 
responsibility for coordinating the receipt, transfer, transport, 
storage, set-up, safety, or timely arrival of any personal belongings 
or items used for demonstration or to support a presentation.
    Parking permits and instructions are issued upon arrival by the 
guards at the main entrance.
    All visitors must be escorted in areas other than the lower and 
first-floor levels in the Central Building.

III. Special Accommodations

    Individuals attending a meeting who are hearing or visually 
impaired and have special requirements, or a condition that requires 
special assistance or accommodations, must provide this information 
when registering for the meeting.

    Authority: Sections 1102 and 1871 of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 1302 and 42 U.S.C. 139hh).

    Dated: March 10, 2006.
Mark B. McClellan,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 06-2566 Filed 3-23-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P

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