Medicare Program; Request for Nominations to the Advisory Panel on Ambulatory Payment Classification Groups, 13795-13796 [E7-5305]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 56 / Friday, March 23, 2007 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services The Secretary is required by section 1833(t)(9)(A) of the Social Security Act (the Act), [as amended by section 201(h) of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999 (BBRA) (Pub. L. 106–113), and redesignated by section 202(a)(2) of the BBRA] to consult with an expert outside advisory panel regarding the clinical integrity of the APC groups and weights that are components of the hospital OPPS. The Charter requires that the Panel meet up to three times annually. We consider the technical advice provided by the Panel as we prepare the proposed and final rules to update the OPPS for the next calendar year. The Panel shall consist of a chair and up to 15 members who are full-time employees of hospitals, hospital systems, or other Medicare providers that are subject to the OPPS. (For purposes of the Panel, consultants or independent contractors are not considered to be full-time employees in these organizations.) The Secretary or Administrator selects the Panel membership based upon either self-nominations or nominations submitted by providers or interested organizations. The current Panel members are as follows: (The asterisk [*] indicates Panel members whose terms begin on March 1, 2007, and the double asterisks [**] indicate Panel members whose terms begin on April 1, 2007. Panel members with three asterisks [***] are those members whose terms expire on or before September 30, 2007.) • E.L. Hambrick, M.D., J.D., Chair, a CMS Medical Officer. • Gloryanne Bryant, B.S., RHIA, RHIT, CCS. • Hazel Kimmel, R.N., CCS, CPC. • Sandra J. Metzler, M.B.A., RHIA.*** • Thomas M. Munger, M.D. • Beverly Khnie Philip, M.D.** • Louis Potters, M.D. • Russ Ranallo, M.S., B.S.* • James V. Rawson, M.D. • Michael A. Ross, M.D.** • Lou Ann Schraffenberger, M.B.A., RHIA. • Judie S. Snipes, R.N., M.B.A., CHE. • Patricia Spencer-Cisek, M.S., APRN–BC, AOCN.* • Timothy Gene Tyler, Pharm.D.*** • Kim Allen Williams, M.D. • Robert M. Zwolak, M.D. Panel members serve without compensation, according to an advance written agreement; however, CMS reimburses travel, meals, lodging, and I. Background [CMS–1305–N2] Medicare Program; Request for Nominations to the Advisory Panel on Ambulatory Payment Classification Groups Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). ACTION: Notice. sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: This notice invites nominations of members to the Advisory Panel on Ambulatory Payment Classification (APC) Groups (the Panel). There will be two vacancies on the Panel as of October 1, 2007. Consequently, this solicitation is for two new members. The purpose of the Panel is to review the APC groups and their associated weights and to advise the Secretary, DHHS, (the Secretary) and the Administrator, CMS, (the Administrator) concerning the clinical integrity of the APC groups and their associated weights. We consider the Panel’s advice as CMS prepares its annual updates of the hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS). The Secretary rechartered the Panel in 2006 for a 2-year period effective through November 21, 2008. Nominations: We will consider nominations if they are received no later than 5 p.m. on May 30, 2007. Please mail or hand deliver nominations to the following address: CMS; Attn: Shirl Ackerman-Ross, Designated Federal Official (DFO), Advisory Panel on APC Groups; Center for Medicare Management, Hospital & Ambulatory Policy Group, Division of Outpatient Care; 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop C4–05–17; Baltimore, MD 21244– 1850. Web site: For additional information on the APC Panel and updates to the Panel’s activities, search our Web site at the following: https://www.cms.hhs.gov/ FACA/05_AdvisoryPanelonAmbulatory PaymentClassificationGroups .asp#TopOfPage. E-Mail Address: The E-mail address for the Panel is as follows: CMS_APCPanel@cms.hhs.gov. News media representatives must contact our Public Affairs Office at (202) 690–6145. Advisory Committees’ Information Lines: The CMS Advisory Committees’ Information Line is 1–877–449–5659 (toll free) and (410) 786–9379 (local). VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:41 Mar 22, 2007 Jkt 211001 PO 00000 Frm 00061 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 13795 related expenses for the meeting in accordance with standard Government travel regulations. CMS has a special interest in attempting to ensure—while taking into account the nominee pool—that the Panel is diverse in all respects to the following: geography; rural or urban practice; race, ethnicity, sex, and disability; medical or technical specialty; and type of hospital, hospital health system, or other Medicare provider. The Secretary, or his designee, appoints new members to the Panel from among those candidates determined to have the required expertise. New appointments are made in a manner that ensures a balanced membership. II. Criteria for Nominees All members must have technical expertise to enable them to participate fully in the work of the Panel. This expertise encompasses hospital payment systems; hospital medical-care delivery systems; provider billing systems; APC groups; Physicians’ Current Procedural Terminology and alpha-numeric Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System codes; and the use and payment of drugs and medical devices in the outpatient setting, as well as other forms of relevant expertise. It is not necessary for a nominee to possess expertise in all of the areas listed, but each must have a minimum of 5 years experience and currently have full-time employment in his or her area of expertise. Members of the Panel serve terms up to 4 years, based on the needs of the Panel and contingent upon the rechartering of the Panel. Any interested person or organization may nominate one or more qualified individuals. Self-nominations will also be accepted. Each nomination must include the following: • Letter of Nomination, • Curriculum Vita of the nominee, and • Written statement from the nominee that the nominee is willing to serve on the Panel under the conditions described in this notice and further specified in the Charter. III. Copies of the Charter To obtain a copy of the Panel’s Charter, submit a written request to the DFO at the address provided or by email at CMS_APCPanel@cms.hhs.gov, or call her at 410–786–4474. Copies of the Charter are also available on the Internet at the following: https:// www.cms.hhs.gov/FACA/ 05_AdvisoryPanelon E:\FR\FM\23MRN1.SGM 23MRN1 13796 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 56 / Friday, March 23, 2007 / Notices AmbulatoryPayment ClassificationGroups.asp#TopOfPage. Authority: Section 1833(t)(9)(A) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l(t)(9)(A)). The Panel is governed by the provisions of Pub. L. 92–463, as amended (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2). (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, 2007. Leslie V. Norwalk, Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. [FR Doc. E7–5305 Filed 3–22–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4120–01–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services [CMS–7004–N] Medicare Program; Announcement of Rechartering and Meeting of the Advisory Panel on Medicare Education, April 17, 2007 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS. ACTION: Notice of meeting. sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: This notice announces the renewal of the charter of the Advisory Panel on Medicare Education (the Panel). The Panel advises and makes recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of consumer education strategies concerning the Medicare program. In addition, this notice announces a meeting of the Panel on April 17, 2007. This meeting is open to the public. DATES: Meeting Date: April 17, 2007 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., e.d.t. Deadline for Meeting Registration, Presentations and Comments: April 10, 2007, 12 noon, e.d.t. Deadline for Requesting Special Accommodations: April 2, 2007, 12 noon, e.d.t. ADDRESSES: Meeting Location: Hotel Palomar, 2121 P Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037, (202) 448–1800. Meeting Registration, Presentations, and Written Comments: Lynne Johnson, Health Insurance Specialist, Division of Forum and Conference Development, Office of External Affairs, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail stop S1–05– VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:41 Mar 22, 2007 Jkt 211001 06, Baltimore, MD 21244–1850 or contact Ms. Johnson via e-mail at Lynne.Johnson@cms.hhs.gov. Meeting Registration: The meeting is open to the public, but attendance is limited to the space available. Persons wishing to attend this meeting must register by contacting Lynne Johnson at the address listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice or by telephone at (410) 786–0090, by 12 noon, e.d.t., on April 10, 2007. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynne Johnson, (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/04_APME.asp) for additional information and updates on committee activities. Press inquiries are handled through the CMS Press Office at (202) 690–6145. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 222 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 217a), as amended, grants to 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 this Panel on January 21, 1999 as announced in the Federal Register (64 FR 7899) and this notice announces the renewal of the charter on November 14, 2006. The charter will terminate on January 21, 2009, unless renewed by the Secretary. The Panel advises and makes recommendations to the Secretary and the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of consumer education strategies concerning the Medicare program. The goals of the Panel are as follows: • To develop and implement a national Medicare education program that describes the options for selecting a health plan under Medicare. • To enhance the Federal government’s effectiveness in informing the Medicare consumer, including the appropriate use of public-private partnerships. • To expand outreach to vulnerable and underserved communities, including racial and ethnic minorities, in the context of a national Medicare education program. • To assemble an information base of best practices for helping consumers evaluate health plan options and build a community infrastructure for information, counseling, and assistance. The current members of the Panel are: Anita B. Boles, Independent Consultant, Health Communications; Gwendolyn T. PO 00000 Frm 00062 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Bronson, SHINE/SHIP Counselor, Massachusetts SHINE Program; Dr. Yanira Cruz, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Hispanic Council on Aging; Clayton Fong, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Asian Pacific Center on Aging; Nan Kirsten-Forte, Executive Vice President, Consumer Services, WebMD; Dr. Jessie C. Gruman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Center for the Advancement of Health; Betty L. Kennard, Vice President, Government Programs and Compliance, Health First Health Plans; Dr. David Lansky, Director, Health Program, Markle Foundation; Dr. Daniel Lyons, Senior Vice President, Government Programs, Independence Blue Cross; Dr. Frank B. McArdle, Manager, Hewitt Research Office, Hewitt Associates; Traci McClellan, J.D., Executive Director, National Indian Council on Aging; Dr. Keith Mueller, Professor and Section Head, Health Services Research and Rural Health Policy, University of Nebraska; Lee Partridge, Senior Health Policy Advisor, National Partnership for Women and Families; Myisha M. Patterson, National Health Coordinator, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; Rebecca Snead, Executive Vice President/Chief Executive Officer, National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations; William A. Steel, President, The National Grange; Marvin Tuttle, Jr., CAE, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Financial Planning Association; Catherine Valenti, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, Caring Voice Coalition; and Grant Wedner, Web Education, Daily Strength, Inc. In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. Appendix 2, section 10(a) (Pub. L. 92– 463), this notice announces a meeting of the Panel on April 17, 2007. The agenda for the April 17, 2007 meeting will include the following: • Recap of the previous (January 24, 2007) meeting. • Report on Subcommittee Meetings and Activities. • Partnering Activities Update. • Public Comment. • Listening Session with CMS Leadership. • Next Steps. Individuals or organizations that wish to make a 5-minute oral presentation on an agenda topic should submit a written copy of the oral presentation to Lynne Johnson at the address listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice by the date listed in the DATES section of this notice. The number of oral presentations may be limited by the time available. E:\FR\FM\23MRN1.SGM 23MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 56 (Friday, March 23, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13795-13796]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-5305]



[[Page 13795]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-1305-N2]


Medicare Program; Request for Nominations to the Advisory Panel 
on Ambulatory Payment Classification Groups

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Department of 
Health and Human Services (DHHS).

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: This notice invites nominations of members to the Advisory 
Panel on Ambulatory Payment Classification (APC) Groups (the Panel). 
There will be two vacancies on the Panel as of October 1, 2007. 
Consequently, this solicitation is for two new members.
    The purpose of the Panel is to review the APC groups and their 
associated weights and to advise the Secretary, DHHS, (the Secretary) 
and the Administrator, CMS, (the Administrator) concerning the clinical 
integrity of the APC groups and their associated weights. We consider 
the Panel's advice as CMS prepares its annual updates of the hospital 
Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS).
    The Secretary rechartered the Panel in 2006 for a 2-year period 
effective through November 21, 2008.
    Nominations: We will consider nominations if they are received no 
later than 5 p.m. on May 30, 2007. Please mail or hand deliver 
nominations to the following address: CMS; Attn: Shirl Ackerman-Ross, 
Designated Federal Official (DFO), Advisory Panel on APC Groups; Center 
for Medicare Management, Hospital & Ambulatory Policy Group, Division 
of Outpatient Care; 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop C4-05-17; 
Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.
    Web site: For additional information on the APC Panel and updates 
to the Panel's activities, search our Web site at the following: http:/
/www.cms.hhs.gov/FACA/05_AdvisoryPanelonAmbulatory 
PaymentClassificationGroups.asp#TopOfPage.
    E-Mail Address: The E-mail address for the Panel is as follows: 
CMS--APCPanel@cms.hhs.gov. News media representatives must contact our 
Public Affairs Office at (202) 690-6145.
    Advisory Committees' Information Lines: The CMS Advisory 
Committees' Information Line is 1-877-449-5659 (toll free) and (410) 
786-9379 (local).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Secretary is required by section 1833(t)(9)(A) of the Social 
Security Act (the Act), [as amended by section 201(h) of the Medicare, 
Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999 (BBRA) (Pub. 
L. 106-113), and redesignated by section 202(a)(2) of the BBRA] to 
consult with an expert outside advisory panel regarding the clinical 
integrity of the APC groups and weights that are components of the 
hospital OPPS.
    The Charter requires that the Panel meet up to three times 
annually. We consider the technical advice provided by the Panel as we 
prepare the proposed and final rules to update the OPPS for the next 
calendar year.
    The Panel shall consist of a chair and up to 15 members who are 
full-time employees of hospitals, hospital systems, or other Medicare 
providers that are subject to the OPPS. (For purposes of the Panel, 
consultants or independent contractors are not considered to be full-
time employees in these organizations.)
    The Secretary or Administrator selects the Panel membership based 
upon either self-nominations or nominations submitted by providers or 
interested organizations.
    The current Panel members are as follows: (The asterisk [*] 
indicates Panel members whose terms begin on March 1, 2007, and the 
double asterisks [**] indicate Panel members whose terms begin on April 
1, 2007. Panel members with three asterisks [***] are those members 
whose terms expire on or before September 30, 2007.)
     E.L. Hambrick, M.D., J.D., Chair, a CMS Medical Officer.
     Gloryanne Bryant, B.S., RHIA, RHIT, CCS.
     Hazel Kimmel, R.N., CCS, CPC.
     Sandra J. Metzler, M.B.A., RHIA.***
     Thomas M. Munger, M.D.
     Beverly Khnie Philip, M.D.**
     Louis Potters, M.D.
     Russ Ranallo, M.S., B.S.*
     James V. Rawson, M.D.
     Michael A. Ross, M.D.**
     Lou Ann Schraffenberger, M.B.A., RHIA.
     Judie S. Snipes, R.N., M.B.A., CHE.
     Patricia Spencer-Cisek, M.S., APRN-BC, AOCN[supreg].*
     Timothy Gene Tyler, Pharm.D.***
     Kim Allen Williams, M.D.
     Robert M. Zwolak, M.D.
    Panel members serve without compensation, according to an advance 
written agreement; however, CMS reimburses travel, meals, lodging, and 
related expenses for the meeting in accordance with standard Government 
travel regulations.
    CMS has a special interest in attempting to ensure--while taking 
into account the nominee pool--that the Panel is diverse in all 
respects to the following: geography; rural or urban practice; race, 
ethnicity, sex, and disability; medical or technical specialty; and 
type of hospital, hospital health system, or other Medicare provider.
    The Secretary, or his designee, appoints new members to the Panel 
from among those candidates determined to have the required expertise. 
New appointments are made in a manner that ensures a balanced 
membership.

II. Criteria for Nominees

    All members must have technical expertise to enable them to 
participate fully in the work of the Panel. This expertise encompasses 
hospital payment systems; hospital medical-care delivery systems; 
provider billing systems; APC groups; Physicians' Current Procedural 
Terminology and alpha-numeric Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System 
codes; and the use and payment of drugs and medical devices in the 
outpatient setting, as well as other forms of relevant expertise.
    It is not necessary for a nominee to possess expertise in all of 
the areas listed, but each must have a minimum of 5 years experience 
and currently have full-time employment in his or her area of 
expertise. Members of the Panel serve terms up to 4 years, based on the 
needs of the Panel and contingent upon the rechartering of the Panel.
    Any interested person or organization may nominate one or more 
qualified individuals. Self-nominations will also be accepted. Each 
nomination must include the following:
     Letter of Nomination,
     Curriculum Vita of the nominee, and
     Written statement from the nominee that the nominee is 
willing to serve on the Panel under the conditions described in this 
notice and further specified in the Charter.

III. Copies of the Charter

    To obtain a copy of the Panel's Charter, submit a written request 
to the DFO at the address provided or by e-mail at CMS--
APCPanel@cms.hhs.gov, or call her at 410-786-4474. Copies of the 
Charter are also available on the Internet at the following: https://
www.cms.hhs.gov/FACA/05_AdvisoryPanelon

[[Page 13796]]

AmbulatoryPaymentClassificationGroups.aspTopOfPage.

    Authority: Section 1833(t)(9)(A) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 
1395l(t)(9)(A)). The Panel is governed by the provisions of Pub. L. 
92-463, as amended (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2).

(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, 2007.
Leslie V. Norwalk,
Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. E7-5305 Filed 3-22-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P
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