Medicare Program; Request for Nominations for the Advisory Panel on Medicare Education, 44371-44372 [E9-20129]
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 166 / Friday, August 28, 2009 / Notices
AOA’s requirements met or exceeded
the Medicare CoPs for hospitals. We
received 28 comments in response to
our proposed notice.
All commenters expressed support for
AOA’s continued deeming authority for
hospitals. Commenters stated that
AOA’s standards are clearly written and
closely aligned with the Medicare CoPs,
and that AOA’s accreditation program
provides hospitals with a viable
alternative to other healthcare
accreditation organizations.
hsrobinson on DSK69SOYB1PROD with NOTICES
IV. Provision of the Final Notice
A. Differences Between AOA’s
Standards and Requirements for
Accreditation and Medicare’s
Conditions and Survey Requirements
We compared AOA’s hospital
accreditation requirements and survey
process with the Medicare CoPs and
survey process as outlined in the State
Operations Manual (SOM). Our review
and evaluation of AOA’s deeming
application, which were conducted as
described in section III of this final
notice, yielded the following:
• AOA revised its standards to ensure
that a medical history and physical is
completed and documented in
accordance with the requirements at
§ 482.51(b)(1).
• To meet the requirements in the
SOM Appendix A, AOA amended its
surveyor team handbook to ensure all
hospital survey teams include a
Registered Nurse.
• AOA modified its policies related to
the accreditation effective date in
accordance with the requirements at
§ 489.13.
• AOA modified its policies regarding
timeframes for sending and receiving a
plan of correction (PoC) in accordance
with section 2728 of the SOM.
• AOA revised its policies to include
timeframes for investigation of
complaints in accordance with the
requirements at section 5075.9 of the
SOM.
• AOA developed and implemented
internal monitoring procedures to
ensure its surveyors are trained and
qualified to meet the requirements at
§ 488.4(a)(4).
• AOA developed an action plan to
ensure that deemed status survey files
are complete, accurate, and consistent
with the requirements at § 488.6(a).
• AOA developed and conducted
surveyor training on the documentation
of deficiencies to ensure that all cited
deficiencies contain a regulatory
reference, a clear and detailed
description of the deficient practice, and
relevant finding.
• To meet the requirements at
§ 488.20(a) and § 488.28(a), AOA
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21:38 Aug 27, 2009
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developed a policy to ensure that
facilities with condition level noncompliance on a recertification survey
submit an acceptable PoC, and receive
a follow up onsite focused survey.
• To meet the requirements at section
2005A2 of the SOM, AOA revised its
policies and developed an internal
tracking tool to ensure that facilities
with condition level non-compliance on
an initial survey receive an onsite
follow-up full survey.
• To meet the requirements at
§ 488.4(b), AOA developed and
incorporated measures to improve the
accuracy and consistency of data
submissions to CMS.
• To meet the requirements at 2700A
of the SOM, AOA revised its policies on
blackout dates.
• AOA revised its accreditation
decision letters to ensure that they are
accurate and contain all the required
elements for the CMS Regional Office to
render a decision regarding the deemed
status of an accredited hospital.
• To meet the survey process
requirements in Appendix A of the
SOM, AOA developed a policy
outlining the minimum number of
inpatient records required for review
during a certification survey.
• AOA removed all references to
mandatory consultative services from its
policies to avoid potential conflict of
interest issues.
• To verify AOA’s continued
compliance with the provisions of this
final notice, CMS will conduct a followup corporate onsite visit within one year
of the date of publication of this notice.
B. Term of Approval
Based on the review and observations
described in section III of this final
notice, we have determined that AOA’s
requirements for hospitals meet or
exceed our requirements. Therefore, we
approve AOA as a national accreditation
organization for hospitals that request
participation in the Medicare program,
effective September 25, 2009 through
September 25, 2013.
V. Collection of Information
Requirements
This document does not impose
information collection and
recordkeeping requirements.
Consequently, it need not be reviewed
by the Office of Management and
Budget under the authority of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. 35).
VI. Regulatory Impact Statement
In accordance with the provisions of
Executive Order 12866, this regulation
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44371
was not reviewed by the Office of
Management and Budget.
Authority: Section 1865 of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395bb).
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
Program No. 93.778, Medical Assistance
Program)
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
Program No. 93.773, Medicare—Hospital
Insurance; and Program No. 93.774,
Medicare—Supplementary Medical
Insurance Program)
Dated: July 30, 2009.
Charlene Frizzera,
Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare
& Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. E9–20203 Filed 8–27–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services
[CMS–7016–N]
Medicare Program; Request for
Nominations for the Advisory Panel on
Medicare Education
AGENCY: Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
SUMMARY: This notice requests
nominations for individuals to serve on
the Advisory Panel on Medicare
Education (the Panel) to fill current
vacancies and vacancies that will
become available in 2009. 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 the effectiveness of
consumer education strategies
concerning the Medicare program.
DATES: Deadline for Nominations by
Regular Mail: Monday, September 14,
2009 at 5 p.m., eastern daylight time
(e.d.t.).
Deadline for Nominations by
Electronic Mail: Monday, September 14,
2009 at 5 p.m., e.d.t.
ADDRESSES: Regular Mail: Dwayne E.
Campbell, Office of External Affairs,
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, S1–
05–14, Baltimore, MD 21244–1850.
Electronic Mail:
Dwayne.Campbell@cms.hhs.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dwayne E. Campbell, Health Insurance
Specialist, Division of Forum and
Conference Development, (410) 786–
0291. Please refer to the CMS Advisory
Committees Information Line (1–877–
E:\FR\FM\28AUN1.SGM
28AUN1
44372
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 166 / Friday, August 28, 2009 / Notices
hsrobinson on DSK69SOYB1PROD with NOTICES
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, or contact Mr.
Campbell via e-mail at
Dwayne.Campbell@cms.hhs.gov. Press
inquiries are handled through the CMS
Press Office at (202) 690–6145.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Section 9(a)(2) of the Federal
Advisory Committee Act authorizes the
Secretary of Health and Human Services
(the Secretary) to establish an advisory
panel if the Secretary determines that
the panel is ‘‘in the public interest in
connection with the performance of
duties imposed * * * by law.’’ Such
duties are imposed by section 1804 of
the Social Security Act (the Act), which
requires the Secretary to provide
informational materials to Medicare
beneficiaries about the Medicare
program, and section 1851(d) of the Act,
requiring the Secretary to provide for
‘‘activities * * * to broadly disseminate
information to [M]edicare beneficiaries
* * * on the coverage options provided
under [Medicare Advantage] in order to
promote an active, informed selection
among such options.’’
The Panel is also authorized by
section 1114(f) of the Act (42 U.S.C.
1311(f)) and section 222 of the Public
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 217a),
which authorize the creation of advisory
committees. The Secretary signed the
charter establishing this Panel on
January 21, 1999 (64 FR 7899, February
17, 1999) and approved the renewal of
the charter on January 21, 2009 (74 FR
13442, March 27, 2009). 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 provide recommendations on
the development and implementation of
a national Medicare education program
that describes benefit options under
Medicare.
• To enhance the Federal
government’s effectiveness in informing
the Medicare consumer.
• To make recommendations on how
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 benefit options and build a
VerDate Nov<24>2008
21:38 Aug 27, 2009
Jkt 217001
community infrastructure for
information, counseling, and assistance.
The Panel shall consist of a maximum
of 20 members. The Chair shall either be
appointed from among the 20 members,
or a Federal official will be designated
to serve as the Chair. The charter
requires that meetings shall be held
approximately 4 times per year.
Members will be expected to attend all
meetings. The members and the Chair
shall be selected from authorities
knowledgeable in the fields of senior
citizen advocacy; outreach to minority
communities; health communications;
disease-related health advocacy;
disability policy and access; health
economics research; health insurers and
plans; providers and clinicians; labor
and retirement, and web education.
Members of the general public are
invited to apply.
This notice is an invitation to
interested organizations or individuals
to submit their nominations for
membership on the Panel. The Secretary
or his designee will appoint new
members to the Panel from among those
candidates determined to have the
expertise required to meet specific
agency needs and in a manner to ensure
an appropriate balance of membership.
II. Nomination Requirements
Each nomination must state that the
nominee has expressed a willingness to
serve as a Panel member and must be
accompanied by a resume or description
of the nominee’s experience and a brief
biographical summary. In order to
permit an evaluation of possible sources
of conflict of interest, potential
candidates will be asked to provide
detailed information concerning such
matters as financial holdings,
consultancies, and research grants or
contracts. Self-nominations will also be
accepted. All nominations must be
received at the appropriate address
listed in the ADDRESSES section of this
notice by the date specified in the DATES
section of this notice.
Authority: Sec. 222 of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 217a); sec. 10(a) of
Pub. L. 92–463 (5 U.S.C. App. 2, sec. 10(a));
sections 1114(f), 1804, and 1851(d) of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1314(f),
1395b–2, and 1394w–21(d)); and 41 CFR Part
102–3.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
National Institutes of Health
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse
and Alcoholism; Notice of Closed
Meeting
Pursuant to section 10(d) of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act, as
amended (5 U.S.C. App.), notice is
hereby given of the following meeting.
The meeting will be closed to the
public in accordance with the
provisions set forth in sections
552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6), Title 5 U.S.C.,
as amended. The grant applications and
the discussions could disclose
confidential trade secrets or commercial
property such as patentable material,
and personal information concerning
individuals associated with the grant
applications, the disclosure of which
would constitute a clearly unwarranted
invasion of personal privacy.
Name of Committee: National Institute on
Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Special
Emphasis Panel. Institutional Training Grants
(T32).
Date: November 17, 2009.
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Agenda: To review and evaluate grant
applications.
Place: Hyatt Regency Bethesda, One
Bethesda Metro Center, 7400 Wisconsin
Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814.
Contact Person: Lorraine Gunzerath, PhD,
MBA, Scientific Review Officer, National
Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism,
Office of Extramural Activities, Extramural
Project Review Branch, 5635 Fishers Lane,
Room 2121, Bethesda, MD 20892–9304. 301–
443–2369. Igunzera@mail.nih.gov.
(Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance
Program Nos. 93.271, Alcohol Research
Career Development Awards for Scientists
and Clinicians; 93.272, Alcohol National
Research Service Awards for Research
Training; 93.273, Alcohol Research Programs;
93.891 Alcohol Research Center Grants;
93.701, ARRA Related Biomedical Research
and Research Support Awards., National
Institutes of Health, HHS)
Dated: August 21, 2009.
Jennifer Spaeth,
Director, Office of Federal Advisory
Committee Policy.
[FR Doc. E9–20767 Filed 8–27–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140–01–M
Dated: August 13, 2009.
Charlene Frizzera,
Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare
& Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. E9–20129 Filed 8–27–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120–01–P
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[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 166 (Friday, August 28, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44371-44372]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-20129]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
[CMS-7016-N]
Medicare Program; Request for Nominations for the Advisory Panel
on Medicare Education
AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice requests nominations for individuals to serve on
the Advisory Panel on Medicare Education (the Panel) to fill current
vacancies and vacancies that will become available in 2009. 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 the effectiveness of consumer education strategies
concerning the Medicare program.
DATES: Deadline for Nominations by Regular Mail: Monday, September 14,
2009 at 5 p.m., eastern daylight time (e.d.t.).
Deadline for Nominations by Electronic Mail: Monday, September 14,
2009 at 5 p.m., e.d.t.
ADDRESSES: Regular Mail: Dwayne E. Campbell, Office of External
Affairs, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 Security
Boulevard, S1-05-14, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.
Electronic Mail: Dwayne.Campbell@cms.hhs.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dwayne E. Campbell, Health Insurance
Specialist, Division of Forum and Conference Development, (410) 786-
0291. Please refer to the CMS Advisory Committees Information Line (1-
877-
[[Page 44372]]
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, or contact Mr. Campbell via e-mail at
Dwayne.Campbell@cms.hhs.gov. Press inquiries are handled through the
CMS Press Office at (202) 690-6145.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Section 9(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act authorizes
the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to establish
an advisory panel if the Secretary determines that the panel is ``in
the public interest in connection with the performance of duties
imposed * * * by law.'' Such duties are imposed by section 1804 of the
Social Security Act (the Act), which requires the Secretary to provide
informational materials to Medicare beneficiaries about the Medicare
program, and section 1851(d) of the Act, requiring the Secretary to
provide for ``activities * * * to broadly disseminate information to
[M]edicare beneficiaries * * * on the coverage options provided under
[Medicare Advantage] in order to promote an active, informed selection
among such options.''
The Panel is also authorized by section 1114(f) of the Act (42
U.S.C. 1311(f)) and section 222 of the Public Health Service Act (42
U.S.C. 217a), which authorize the creation of advisory committees. The
Secretary signed the charter establishing this Panel on January 21,
1999 (64 FR 7899, February 17, 1999) and approved the renewal of the
charter on January 21, 2009 (74 FR 13442, March 27, 2009). 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 provide recommendations on the development and
implementation of a national Medicare education program that describes
benefit options under Medicare.
To enhance the Federal government's effectiveness in
informing the Medicare consumer.
To make recommendations on how 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 benefit options and build a community
infrastructure for information, counseling, and assistance.
The Panel shall consist of a maximum of 20 members. The Chair shall
either be appointed from among the 20 members, or a Federal official
will be designated to serve as the Chair. The charter requires that
meetings shall be held approximately 4 times per year. Members will be
expected to attend all meetings. The members and the Chair shall be
selected from authorities knowledgeable in the fields of senior citizen
advocacy; outreach to minority communities; health communications;
disease-related health advocacy; disability policy and access; health
economics research; health insurers and plans; providers and
clinicians; labor and retirement, and web education. Members of the
general public are invited to apply.
This notice is an invitation to interested organizations or
individuals to submit their nominations for membership on the Panel.
The Secretary or his designee will appoint new members to the Panel
from among those candidates determined to have the expertise required
to meet specific agency needs and in a manner to ensure an appropriate
balance of membership.
II. Nomination Requirements
Each nomination must state that the nominee has expressed a
willingness to serve as a Panel member and must be accompanied by a
resume or description of the nominee's experience and a brief
biographical summary. In order to permit an evaluation of possible
sources of conflict of interest, potential candidates will be asked to
provide detailed information concerning such matters as financial
holdings, consultancies, and research grants or contracts. Self-
nominations will also be accepted. All nominations must be received at
the appropriate address listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice
by the date specified in the DATES section of this notice.
Authority: Sec. 222 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
217a); sec. 10(a) of Pub. L. 92-463 (5 U.S.C. App. 2, sec. 10(a));
sections 1114(f), 1804, and 1851(d) of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1314(f), 1395b-2, and 1394w-21(d)); and 41 CFR Part 102-3.
Dated: August 13, 2009.
Charlene Frizzera,
Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. E9-20129 Filed 8-27-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P
