Medicare Program; Public Meetings in Calendar Year 2008 for All New Public Requests for Revisions to the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Coding and Payment Determinations, 9814-9816 [E8-2837]
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9814
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 36 / Friday, February 22, 2008 / Notices
Dated: February 7, 2008.
Kerry Weems,
Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare
& Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. E8–2790 Filed 2–21–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services
[CMS–1549–N]
Medicare Program; Public Meetings in
Calendar Year 2008 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.
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
AGENCY:
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 2008 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 2008 HCPCS public meeting dates:
1. Tuesday, April 22, 2008, 9 a.m. to
5 p.m., e.d.t. (Supplies and Other
Issues).
2. Wednesday, April 23, 2008, 9 a.m.
to 5 p.m., e.d.t. (Supplies and Other
Issues).
3. Tuesday, May 6, 2008, 9 a.m. to 5
p.m., e.d.t. (Orthotics and Prosthetics).
4. Wednesday, May 7, 2008, 9 a.m. to
5 p.m., e.d.t. (Drugs/Biologicals/
Radiopharmaceuticals/Radiologic
Imaging Agents).
5. Thursday, May 8, 2008, 9 a.m. to
5 p.m., e.d.t. (Drugs/Biologicals/
Radiopharmaceuticals/Radiologic
Imaging Agents).
6. Wednesday, May 28, 2008, 9 a.m.
to 5 p.m., e.d.t. (Durable Medical
Equipment (DME) and Accessories).
7. Thursday, May 29, 2008, 9 a.m. to
5 p.m., e.d.t. (Durable Medical
Equipment (DME) and Accessories).
Deadlines for Primary Speaker
Registration and Presentation Materials:
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16:38 Feb 21, 2008
Jkt 214001
The deadline for registering to be a
primary speaker, and submitting
materials and writings that will be used
in support of an oral presentation are as
follows:
• April 8, 2008 for the April 22 and
23, 2008 public meetings.
• April 22, 2008 for the May 6, 7 and
8, 2008 public meetings.
• May 14, 2008 for the May 28 and
29, 2008 public meetings.
Deadlines for all Other Attendees
Registration: Individuals must register
for each date that they plan on
attending. The registration deadlines are
different for each meeting. Registration
deadlines are as follows:
• April 15, 2008 for the April 22 and
23, 2008 public meeting dates.
• April 29, 2008 for the May 6, 7 and
8, 2008 public meeting dates.
• May 21, 2008 for the May 28 and
29, 2008 public meetings.
Deadlines for Requesting Special
Accommodations:
• April 8, 2008 for the April 22 and
23, 2008 public meeting dates.
• April 22, 2008 for the May 6, 7 and
8, 2008 public meeting dates.
• May 14, 2008 for the May 28 and
29, 2008 public meetings.
Deadline for Submission of Written
Comments: Written comments must be
received by the date of meeting at which
a request is scheduled for discussion.
ADDRESSES: Meeting Location: The
public meetings will be held in the main
auditorium of the central building of the
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services, 7500 Security Boulevard,
Baltimore, MD 21244–1850.
Submission of Written Comments:
Written comments can be e-mailed to
HCPCS@cms.hhs.gov or sent regular
mail to Jennifer Carver or Gloria Knight,
HCPCS Public Meeting Coordinator,
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail
Stop C5–08–27, Baltimore, MD 21244.
Registration and Special
Accommodations: Individuals wishing
to participate or who need special
accommodations or both must register
by completing the on-line registration
located at https://www.cms.hhs.gov/
medhcpcsgeninfo or by contacting one
of the following persons: Jennifer Carver
at (410) 786–6610 or
Jennifer.Carver@cms.hhs.gov; or Gloria
Knight at (410) 786–4598 or
Gloria.Knight@cms.hhs.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jennifer Carver at (410) 786–6610 or
Jennifer.Carver@cms.hhs.gov; or Gloria
Knight at (410) 786–4598 or
Gloria.Knight@cms.hhs.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
I. Background
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.
In the November 23, 2001 Federal
Register (66 FR 58743), we published a
notice 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
specified in the DATES section of this
notice. Therefore, we are implementing
a 10-page submission limit and firm
deadlines for receipt of any presentation
materials 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.
II. Meeting Registration
A. Required Information for Registration
The following information must be
provided when registering:
• Name;
• Company name and address;
• Direct-dial 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.
B. Registration Process
1. 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
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 36 / Friday, February 22, 2008 / Notices
HCPCS Public Meeting Coordinator
regarding needs for audio/visual
support. 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
submissions for each public meeting as
specified in the DATES section of this
notice. The sum of all materials
including the 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 complete publication
as soon as possible.
These materials may be delivered by
regular mail or by e-mail to one of the
HCPCS Public Meeting Coordinators as
specified in the ADDRESSES section of
this notice. Individuals will need to
provide 35 copies if materials are
delivered by mail.
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
2. 5-Minute Speakers
To afford the same opportunity to all
attendees, 5-minute speakers are not
required to register as primary speakers;
however, 5-minute speakers must still
register as attendees by the deadline set
forth under ‘‘Deadlines for all Other
Attendees Registration’’ in the DATES
section of this notice. 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
they will address.
C. Additional Meeting/Registration
Information
Public Meetings are scheduled far in
advance of the influx of HCPCS
applications each cycle. At the time
they are scheduled we can only
anticipate the number of applications
that we receive in each category. As a
result, we may not need the second day
of Drugs/Biologicals/
Radiopharmaceuticals/Radiologic
Imaging Agents (Thursday, May 8, 2008)
and the second day of DME and
Accessories (Thursday, May 29, 2008).
We have scheduled these dates
tentatively. The Public Meeting Agendas
published on CMS’ HCPCS Web site at:
https://www.cms.hh.gov/
medhcpcsgeninfo will serve as final
notification regarding whether meetings
will be held on May 8th and May 29th.
The product category reported by the
meeting participant may not be the same
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:38 Feb 21, 2008
Jkt 214001
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 1 month
before each meeting.
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 at: 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
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 2008.
III. 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 expected to begin
promptly at 9 a.m., e.d.t. 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 one of the HCPCS
Public Meeting Coordinators.
These materials may be delivered by
regular mail (postmark date no later
than deadline date) or by e-mail to one
of the HCPCS Public Meeting
Coordinators specified in the ADDRESSES
section. Individuals will need to include
35 copies if materials are delivered by
mail.
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9815
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.
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 1 month before
the first public meeting in 2008 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
‘‘Meeting Registration’’ section of this
notice, at least 15 days before the
meeting, and contact one of the HCPCS
Public Meeting Coordinators, specified
in the ADDRESSES section. Primary
speakers must also separately register as
primary speakers by the date specified
in the DATES section of this notice.
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,
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22FEN1
9816
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 36 / Friday, February 22, 2008 / Notices
remuneration, or benefit provided to
that speaker by the manufacturer or the
manufacturer’s representatives.
E. Written Comments From Meeting
Attendees
(1) Written comments will be
accepted from the general public and
meeting registrants anytime up to the
date of the public meeting at which a
request is discussed. Comments must be
sent to the address listed in the
ADDRESSES section of this notice.
(2) Meeting attendees may also submit
their written comments at the meeting.
(3) 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.
IV. 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
will 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 45
minutes before the convening of the
meeting each day.
Security measures will also include
inspection of vehicles, inside and
outside, at the entrance to the grounds
and buildings. In addition, all persons
entering the building must pass through
a metal detector. All items brought to
CMS 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. Special arrangements and
approvals are required in order to bring
pieces of equipment or medical devices
at least 2 weeks prior to each public
meeting. These arrangements need to be
made with the public meeting
coordinator. It is possible that certain
requests made in advance of the public
meeting could be denied because of
unique safety, security or handling
issues related to the equipment. A
minimum of 2 weeks is required for
approvals and security procedures. Any
request not submitted at least 2 weeks
in advance of the public meeting will be
denied.
Parking permits and instructions are
issued upon arrival by the guards at the
main entrance.
All visitors must be escorted by
agency staff in order to enter areas other
than the public areas on the lower and
first-floor levels in the Central Building.
Authority: Section 1102 and 1871 of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1302 and 42
U.S.C. 1395hh).
Dated: February 7, 2008.
Kerry Weems,
Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare
& Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. E8–2837 Filed 2–21–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and
Families
Proposed Information Collection
Activity; Comment Request
Proposed Projects:
Title: Application Requirements for
the Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Model
Plan.
OMB No.: 0970–0075.
Description: States, including the
District of Columbia, Tribes, tribal
organizations and territories applying
for LIHEAP block grant funds must
submit an annual application (Model
Plan) that meets the LIHEAP statutory
and regulatory requirements prior to
receiving Federal funds. A detailed
application must be submitted every 3
years. Abbreviated applications may be
submitted in alternate years. There have
been no changes in the Model Plan.
Respondents: State Governments,
Tribal Governments, Insular Areas, the
District of Columbia, and the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
ANNUAL BURDEN ESTIMATES
Number of
respondents
Instrument
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
Detailed Model Plan ........................................................................................
Abbreviated Model Plan ..................................................................................
Estimated Total Annual Burden
Hours: 103.
In compliance with the requirements
of section 506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, the
Administration for Children and
Families is soliciting public comment
on the specific aspects of the
information collection described above.
Copies of the proposed collection of
information can be obtained and
comments may be forwarded by writing
to the Administration for Children and
Families, Office of Administration,
Office of Information Services, 370
L’Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington,
DC 20447, Attn: ACF Reports Clearance
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:38 Feb 21, 2008
Jkt 214001
65
115
Officer. E-mail address:
infocollection@acf.hhs.gov. All requests
should be identified by the title of the
information collection.
The Department specifically requests
comments on: (a) Whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary
for the proper performance of the
functions of the agency, including
whether the information shall have
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the
agency’s estimate of the burden of the
proposed collection of information; (c)
the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (d)
ways to minimize the burden of the
collection of information on
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Number of
responses per
respondent
Average
burden hours
per response
1
1
Total burden
hours
1
.33
65
38
respondents, including through the use
of automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
Consideration will be given to
comments and suggestions submitted
within 60 days of this publication.
Dated: February 14, 2008.
Janean Chambers,
Reports Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 08–796 Filed 2–21–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184–01–M
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 36 (Friday, February 22, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9814-9816]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-2837]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
[CMS-1549-N]
Medicare Program; Public Meetings in Calendar Year 2008 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 2008 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 2008 HCPCS public meeting
dates:
1. Tuesday, April 22, 2008, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.d.t. (Supplies and
Other Issues).
2. Wednesday, April 23, 2008, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.d.t. (Supplies
and Other Issues).
3. Tuesday, May 6, 2008, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.d.t. (Orthotics and
Prosthetics).
4. Wednesday, May 7, 2008, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.d.t. (Drugs/
Biologicals/Radiopharmaceuticals/Radiologic Imaging Agents).
5. Thursday, May 8, 2008, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.d.t. (Drugs/
Biologicals/Radiopharmaceuticals/Radiologic Imaging Agents).
6. Wednesday, May 28, 2008, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.d.t. (Durable
Medical Equipment (DME) and Accessories).
7. Thursday, May 29, 2008, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.d.t. (Durable
Medical Equipment (DME) and Accessories).
Deadlines for Primary Speaker Registration and Presentation
Materials: The deadline for registering to be a primary speaker, and
submitting materials and writings that will be used in support of an
oral presentation are as follows:
April 8, 2008 for the April 22 and 23, 2008 public
meetings.
April 22, 2008 for the May 6, 7 and 8, 2008 public
meetings.
May 14, 2008 for the May 28 and 29, 2008 public meetings.
Deadlines for all Other Attendees Registration: Individuals must
register for each date that they plan on attending. The registration
deadlines are different for each meeting. Registration deadlines are as
follows:
April 15, 2008 for the April 22 and 23, 2008 public
meeting dates.
April 29, 2008 for the May 6, 7 and 8, 2008 public meeting
dates.
May 21, 2008 for the May 28 and 29, 2008 public meetings.
Deadlines for Requesting Special Accommodations:
April 8, 2008 for the April 22 and 23, 2008 public meeting
dates.
April 22, 2008 for the May 6, 7 and 8, 2008 public meeting
dates.
May 14, 2008 for the May 28 and 29, 2008 public meetings.
Deadline for Submission of Written Comments: Written comments must
be received by the date of meeting at which a request is scheduled for
discussion.
ADDRESSES: Meeting Location: The public meetings will be held in the
main auditorium of the central building of the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.
Submission of Written Comments: Written comments can be e-mailed to
HCPCS@cms.hhs.gov or sent regular mail to Jennifer Carver or Gloria
Knight, HCPCS Public Meeting Coordinator, Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop C5-08-27,
Baltimore, MD 21244.
Registration and Special Accommodations: Individuals wishing to
participate or who need special accommodations or both must register by
completing the on-line registration located at https://www.cms.hhs.gov/
medhcpcsgeninfo or by contacting one of the following persons: Jennifer
Carver at (410) 786-6610 or Jennifer.Carver@cms.hhs.gov; or Gloria
Knight at (410) 786-4598 or Gloria.Knight@cms.hhs.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Carver at (410) 786-6610 or
Jennifer.Carver@cms.hhs.gov; or Gloria Knight at (410) 786-4598 or
Gloria.Knight@cms.hhs.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
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.
In the November 23, 2001 Federal Register (66 FR 58743), we
published a notice 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 specified in the DATES section of this notice. Therefore,
we are implementing a 10-page submission limit and firm deadlines for
receipt of any presentation materials 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.
II. Meeting Registration
A. Required Information for Registration
The following information must be provided when registering:
Name;
Company name and address;
Direct-dial 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.
B. Registration Process
1. 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
[[Page 9815]]
HCPCS Public Meeting Coordinator regarding needs for audio/visual
support. 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 submissions for
each public meeting as specified in the DATES section of this notice.
The sum of all materials including the 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 complete publication as soon as possible.
These materials may be delivered by regular mail or by e-mail to
one of the HCPCS Public Meeting Coordinators as specified in the
ADDRESSES section of this notice. Individuals will need to provide 35
copies if materials are delivered by mail.
2. 5-Minute Speakers
To afford the same opportunity to all attendees, 5-minute speakers
are not required to register as primary speakers; however, 5-minute
speakers must still register as attendees by the deadline set forth
under ``Deadlines for all Other Attendees Registration'' in the DATES
section of this notice. 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 they will address.
C. Additional Meeting/Registration Information
Public Meetings are scheduled far in advance of the influx of HCPCS
applications each cycle. At the time they are scheduled we can only
anticipate the number of applications that we receive in each category.
As a result, we may not need the second day of Drugs/Biologicals/
Radiopharmaceuticals/Radiologic Imaging Agents (Thursday, May 8, 2008)
and the second day of DME and Accessories (Thursday, May 29, 2008). We
have scheduled these dates tentatively. The Public Meeting Agendas
published on CMS' HCPCS Web site at: https://www.cms.hh.gov/
medhcpcsgeninfo will serve as final notification regarding whether
meetings will be held on May 8th and May 29th.
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 1
month before each meeting.
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 at: 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 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 2008.
III. 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 expected to begin promptly at 9 a.m., e.d.t. 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 one of the HCPCS Public Meeting
Coordinators.
These materials may be delivered by regular mail (postmark date no
later than deadline date) or by e-mail to one of the HCPCS Public
Meeting Coordinators specified in the ADDRESSES section. 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.
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 1 month before the first public
meeting in 2008 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 ``Meeting Registration'' section of this notice, at least 15 days
before the meeting, and contact one of the HCPCS Public Meeting
Coordinators, specified in the ADDRESSES section. Primary speakers must
also separately register as primary speakers by the date specified in
the DATES section of this notice.
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,
[[Page 9816]]
remuneration, or benefit provided to that speaker by the manufacturer
or the manufacturer's representatives.
E. Written Comments From Meeting Attendees
(1) Written comments will be accepted from the general public and
meeting registrants anytime up to the date of the public meeting at
which a request is discussed. Comments must be sent to the address
listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.
(2) Meeting attendees may also submit their written comments at the
meeting.
(3) 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.
IV. 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 will 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 45 minutes before the
convening of the meeting each day.
Security measures will also include inspection of vehicles, inside
and outside, at the entrance to the grounds and buildings. In addition,
all persons entering the building must pass through a metal detector.
All items brought to CMS 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. Special
arrangements and approvals are required in order to bring pieces of
equipment or medical devices at least 2 weeks prior to each public
meeting. These arrangements need to be made with the public meeting
coordinator. It is possible that certain requests made in advance of
the public meeting could be denied because of unique safety, security
or handling issues related to the equipment. A minimum of 2 weeks is
required for approvals and security procedures. Any request not
submitted at least 2 weeks in advance of the public meeting will be
denied.
Parking permits and instructions are issued upon arrival by the
guards at the main entrance.
All visitors must be escorted by agency staff in order to enter
areas other than the public areas on the lower and first-floor levels
in the Central Building.
Authority: Section 1102 and 1871 of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1302 and 42 U.S.C. 1395hh).
Dated: February 7, 2008.
Kerry Weems,
Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. E8-2837 Filed 2-21-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P
