Medicare Program; Town Hall Meeting on FY 2015 Applications for New Medical Services and Technology Add-On Payments, 71555-71557 [2013-28518]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 230 / Friday, November 29, 2013 / Proposed Rules Environmental Protection Agency, EPA New England Regional Office, 5 Post Office Square—Suite 100, (Mail code OEP05–2), Boston, MA 02109—3912. 5. Hand Delivery or Courier. Deliver your comments to: Anne Arnold, Manager, Air Quality Planning Unit, Office of Ecosystem Protection, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA New England Regional Office, 5 Post Office Square—Suite 100, (Mail code OEP05–2), Boston, MA 02109—3912. Such deliveries are only accepted during the Regional Office’s normal hours of operation. The Regional Office’s official hours of business are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding legal holidays. Please see the direct final rule which is located in the Rules Section of this Federal Register for detailed instructions on how to submit comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donald O. Cooke, Air Quality Unit, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA New England Regional Office, 5 Post Office Square—Suite 100, (Mail code OEP05–2), Boston, MA 02109–3912, telephone number (617) 918–1668, fax number (617) 918–0668, email cooke.donald@epa.gov. In the Final Rules Section of this Federal Register, EPA is approving the State’s SIP submittal as a direct final rule without prior proposal because the Agency views this as a noncontroversial submittal and anticipates no adverse comments. A detailed rationale for the approval is set forth in the direct final rule. If no adverse comments are received in response to this action rule, no further activity is contemplated. If EPA receives adverse comments, the direct final rule will be withdrawn and all public comments received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule. EPA will not institute a second comment period. Any parties interested in commenting on this action should do so at this time. Please note that if EPA receives adverse comment on an amendment, paragraph, or section of this rule and if that provision may be severed from the remainder of the rule, EPA may adopt as final those provisions of the rule that are not the subject of an adverse comment. For additional information, see the direct final rule which is located in the Rules Section of this Federal Register. sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:32 Nov 27, 2013 Jkt 232001 Dated: November 8, 2013. Michael Kenyon, Acting Regional Administrator, EPA New England. [FR Doc. 2013–28530 Filed 11–27–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 42 CFR Part 412 [CMS–1604–N] Medicare Program; Town Hall Meeting on FY 2015 Applications for New Medical Services and Technology AddOn Payments Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS. ACTION: Notice of meeting. AGENCY: This notice announces a Town Hall meeting in accordance with the Social Security Act (the Act) to discuss fiscal year (FY) 2015 applications for add-on payments for new medical services and technologies under the hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS). Interested parties are invited to this meeting to present their comments, recommendations, and data regarding whether the FY 2015 new medical services and technologies applications meet the substantial clinical improvement criterion. DATES: Meeting Date: The Town Hall Meeting announced in this notice will be held on Wednesday, February 12, 2014. The Town Hall Meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (e.s.t.) and check-in will begin at 8:30 a.m. e.s.t. Deadline for Registration for Participants (not Presenting) at the Town Hall Meeting and Submitting Requests for Special Accommodations: The deadline to register to attend the Town Hall Meeting and requests for special accommodations must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., e.s.t. on Tuesday, January 28, 2014. Deadline for Registration of Presenters of the Town Hall Meeting: The deadline to register to present at the Town Hall Meeting must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., e.s.t. on Tuesday, January 21, 2014. Deadline for Submission of Agenda Item(s) or Written Comments for the Town Hall Meeting: Written comments and agenda items for discussion at the Town Hall Meeting, including agenda items by presenters, must be received by SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 71555 Tuesday, January 21, 2014. In addition to materials submitted for discussion at the Town Hall Meeting, individuals may submit other written comments after the Town Hall Meeting, as specified in the ADDRESSES section of this notice, on whether the service or technology represents a substantial clinical improvement. These comments must be received by Wednesday, March 5, 2014, for consideration in the FY 2015 IPPS proposed rule. Meeting Location: The Town Hall Meeting will be held in the main Auditorium in the central building of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services located at 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244–1850. In addition, we are providing two alternatives to attending the meeting in person—(1) there will be an open tollfree phone line to call into the Town Hall Meeting; or (2) participants may view and participate in the Town Hall Meeting via live stream technology and/ or webinar. Information on these options are discussed in section II.B. of this notice. Registration and Special Accommodations: Individuals wishing to participate in the meeting must register by following the on-line registration instructions located in section III. of this notice or by contacting staff listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice. Individuals who need special accommodations should contact staff listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice. Submission of Agenda Item(s) or Written Comments for the Town Hall Meeting: Each presenter must submit an agenda item(s) regarding whether a FY 2015 application meets the substantial clinical improvement criterion. Agenda items, written comments, questions or other statements must not exceed three single-spaced typed pages and may be sent via email to newtech@cms.hhs.gov. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Treitel, (410) 786–4552, michael.treitel@cms.hhs.gov, or Celeste Beauregard, (410) 786–8102, celeste.beauregard@cms.hhs.gov or Carol Schwartz, (410) 786–0576, carol.schwartz@cms.hhs.gov. Alternatively, you may forward your requests via email to newtech@ cms.hhs.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\29NOP1.SGM 29NOP1 71556 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 230 / Friday, November 29, 2013 / Proposed Rules sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS I. Background on the Add-On Payments for New Medical Services and Technologies under the IPPS Sections 1886(d)(5)(K) and (L) of the Social Security Act (the Act) require the Secretary to establish a process of identifying and ensuring adequate payments to acute care hospitals for new medical services and technologies under Medicare. Effective for discharges beginning on or after October 1, 2001, section 1886(d)(5)(K)(i) of the Act requires the Secretary to establish (after notice and opportunity for public comment) a mechanism to recognize the costs of new services and technologies under the hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS). In addition, section 1886(d)(5)(K)(vi) of the Act specifies that a medical service or technology will be considered ‘‘new’’ if it meets criteria established by the Secretary (after notice and opportunity for public comment). (See the fiscal year (FY) 2002 IPPS proposed rule (66 FR 22693, May 4, 2001) and final rule (66 FR 46912, September 7, 2001) for a more detailed discussion.) In the September 7, 2001 final rule (66 FR 46914), we noted that we evaluated a request for special payment for a new medical service or technology against the following criteria in order to determine if the new technology meets the substantial clinical improvement requirement: • The device offers a treatment option for a patient population unresponsive to, or ineligible for, currently available treatments. • The device offers the ability to diagnose a medical condition in a patient population where that medical condition is currently undetectable or offers the ability to diagnose a medical condition earlier in a patient population than allowed by currently available methods. There must also be evidence that use of the device to make a diagnosis affects the management of the patient. • Use of the device significantly improves clinical outcomes for a patient population as compared to currently available treatments. Some examples of outcomes that are frequently evaluated in studies of medical devices are the following: ++ Reduced mortality rate with use of the device. ++ Reduced rate of device-related complications. ++ Decreased rate of subsequent diagnostic or therapeutic interventions (for example, due to reduced rate of recurrence of the disease process). ++ Decreased number of future hospitalizations or physician visits. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:32 Nov 27, 2013 Jkt 232001 ++ More rapid beneficial resolution of the disease process treatment because of the use of the device. ++ Decreased pain, bleeding or other quantifiable symptoms. ++ Reduced recovery time. In addition, we indicated that the requester is required to submit evidence that the technology meets one or more of these criteria. Section 503 of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) amended section 1886(d)(5)(K)(viii) of the Act to revise the process for evaluating new medical services and technology applications by requiring the Secretary to do the following: • Provide for public input regarding whether a new service or technology represents an advance in medical technology that substantially improves the diagnosis or treatment of Medicare beneficiaries before publication of a proposed rule. • Make public and periodically update a list of all the services and technologies for which an application is pending. • Accept comments, recommendations, and data from the public regarding whether the service or technology represents a substantial improvement. • Provide for a meeting at which organizations representing hospitals, physicians, manufacturers and any other interested party may present comments, recommendations, and data to the clinical staff of CMS as to whether the service or technology represents a substantial improvement before publication of a proposed rule. The opinions and alternatives provided during this meeting will assist us as we evaluate the new medical services and technology applications for FY 2015. In addition, they will help us to evaluate our policy on the IPPS new technology add-on payment process before the publication of the FY 2015 IPPS proposed rule. II. Town Hall Meeting and Conference Calling/Live Streaming Information A. Format of the Town Hall Meeting As noted in section I. of this notice, we are required to provide for a meeting at which organizations representing hospitals, physicians, manufacturers and any other interested party may present comments, recommendations, and data to the clinical staff of CMS concerning whether the service or technology represents a substantial clinical improvement. This meeting will allow for a discussion of the substantial clinical improvement criteria on each of PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 the FY 2015 new medical services and technology add-on payment applications. Information regarding the applications can be found on our Web site at https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/ Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/ AcuteInpatientPPS/newtech.html. The majority of the meeting will be reserved for presentations of comments, recommendations, and data from registered presenters. The time for each presenter’s comments will be approximately 10 to 15 minutes and will be based on the number of registered presenters. Presenters will be scheduled to speak in the order in which they register and grouped by new technology applicant. Therefore, individuals who would like to present must register and submit their agenda item(s) via email to newtech@ cms.hhs.gov by the date specified in the DATES section of this notice. In addition, written comments will also be accepted and presented at the meeting if they are received via email to newtech@cms.hhs.gov by the date specified in the DATES section of this notice. Written comments may also be submitted after the meeting for our consideration. If the comments are to be considered before the publication of the proposed rule, the comments must be received via email to newtech@ cms.hhs.gov by the date specified in the DATES section of this notice. B. Conference Call, Live Streaming, and Webinar Information For participants who cannot attend the Town Hall Meeting in person, an open toll-free phone line, (877) 267– 1577, has been made available. The meeting number is ‘‘999 396 992.’’ Also, there will be an option to view and participate in the Town Hall Meeting via live streaming technology and/or a webinar. Information on the option to participate via live streaming technology and/or a webinar will be provided through an upcoming listserv notice and posted on the New Technology Web site at https:// www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Feefor-Service-Payment/ AcuteInpatientPPS/newtech.html. Continue to check the Web site for updates. Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee reliability for live streaming technology and/or a webinar. III. Registration Instructions The Division of Acute Care in CMS is coordinating the meeting registration for the Town Hall Meeting on substantial clinical improvement. While there is no registration fee, individuals planning to E:\FR\FM\29NOP1.SGM 29NOP1 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 230 / Friday, November 29, 2013 / Proposed Rules attend the Town Hall Meeting in person must register to attend. Registration may be completed online at the following web address: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/ Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/ AcuteInpatientPPS/newtech.html. Select the link at the bottom of the page ‘‘Register to Attend the New Technology Town Hall Meeting’’. After completing the registration, on-line registrants should print the confirmation page(s) and bring it with them to the meeting(s). If you are unable to register on-line, you may register by sending an email to newtech@cms.hhs.gov. Please include your name, address, telephone number, email address and fax number. If seating capacity has been reached, you will be notified that the meeting has reached capacity. sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS IV. Security, Building, and Parking Guidelines Note: Individuals who are not registered in advance will not be permitted to enter the building and will be unable to attend the meeting in person. The public may not enter the building earlier than 45 minutes prior to the convening of the meeting(s). 17:32 Nov 27, 2013 Jkt 232001 Authority: Section 503 of Pub. L. 108–173. (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.773, Medicare—Hospital Insurance; and Program No. 93.774, Medicare—Supplementary Medical Insurance Program) Dated: November 5, 2013. Marilyn Tavenner, Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. [FR Doc. 2013–28518 Filed 11–27–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4120–01–P FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 47 CFR Part 73 Because these meetings will be located on Federal property, for security reasons, any persons wishing to attend these meetings must register by the date specified in the DATES section of this notice. Please allow sufficient time to go through the security checkpoints. It is suggested that you arrive at 7500 Security Boulevard no later than 8:30 a.m. e.s.t. if you are attending the Town Hall Meeting in person so that you will be able to arrive promptly for the meeting. Security measures include the following: • Presentation of government-issued photographic identification to the Federal Protective Service or Guard Service personnel. • Interior and exterior inspection of vehicles (this includes engine and trunk inspection) at the entrance to the grounds. Parking permits and instructions will be issued after the vehicle inspection. • Passing through a metal detector and inspection of items brought into the building. We note that all items brought to CMS, whether personal or for the purpose of demonstration or to support a demonstration, 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 demonstration. VerDate Mar<15>2010 All visitors must be escorted in areas other than the lower and first floor levels in the Central Building. Seating capacity is limited to the first 250 registrants. [DA 13–2105; MB Docket No. 13–250; RM– 11705] Radio Broadcasting Services; Tohatchi, New Mexico Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Proposed rule. AGENCY: This document requests comments on a petition for rulemaking filed by the Navajo Nation to amend the FM Table of Allotments, Section 73.202(b) of the Commission’s Rules, by allotting FM Channel 268C2, Tohatchi, New Mexico, as a first local service under the Tribal Priority. A staff engineering analysis indicates that Channel 268C2 can be allotted to Tohatchi consistent with the minimum distance separation requirements of the Rules without the imposition of a site restriction. The reference coordinates are 35–54–37 NL and 108–46–26 WL. DATES: Comments must be filed on or before December 23, 2013, and reply comments on or before January 7, 2014. ADDRESSES: Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street SW., Washington, DC 20554. In addition to filing comments with the FCC, interested parties should serve the petitioner as follows: Lauren Lynch Flick, Esq., Pillsbury, Winthrop, Shaw, & Pittman LLP, 2300 N Street NW., Washington, DC 20037. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rolanda F. Smith, Media Bureau, (202) 418–2700. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a synopsis of the Commission’s Notice of Proposed Rule Making, MB Docket No. 13–250, adopted October 31, 2013, and SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 9990 71557 released November 1, 2013. The full text of this Commission decision is available for inspection and copying during normal business hours in the FCC’s Reference Information Center at Portals II, CY–A257, 445 12th Street SW., Washington, DC 20554. This document may also be purchased from the Commission’s duplicating contractors, Best Copy and Printing, Inc., 445 12th Street SW., Room CY–B402, Washington, DC 20554, telephone 1– 800–378–3160 or via email www.BCPIWEB.com. This document does not contain proposed information collection requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13. In addition, therefore, it does not contain any proposed information collection burden ‘‘for small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees,’’ pursuant to the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, Public Law 107–198, see 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(4). Provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act of l980 do not apply to this proceeding. Members of the public should note that from the time a Notice of Proposed Rule Making is issued until the matter is no longer subject to Commission consideration or court review, all ex parte contacts are prohibited in Commission proceedings, such as this one, which involve channel allotments. See 47 CFR 1.1204(b) for rules governing permissible ex parte contacts. For information regarding proper filing procedures for comments, see 47 CFR 1.415 and 1.420. List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 73 Radio, Radio broadcasting. Federal Communications Commission. Nazifa Sawez, Assistant Chief, Audio Division, Media Bureau. For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Federal Communications Commission proposes to amend 47 CFR part 73 as follows: PART 73—RADIO BROADCAST SERVICES 1. The authority citation for part 73 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 334, 336 and 339. § 73.202 [Amended] 2. Section 73.202(b), the Table of FM Allotments under New Mexico, is amended by adding Tohatchi, Channel 268C2. ■ [FR Doc. 2013–28549 Filed 11–27–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712–01–P E:\FR\FM\29NOP1.SGM 29NOP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 230 (Friday, November 29, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 71555-71557]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-28518]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

42 CFR Part 412

[CMS-1604-N]


Medicare Program; Town Hall Meeting on FY 2015 Applications for 
New Medical Services and Technology Add-On Payments

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

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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

SUMMARY: This notice announces a Town Hall meeting in accordance with 
the Social Security Act (the Act) to discuss fiscal year (FY) 2015 
applications for add-on payments for new medical services and 
technologies under the hospital inpatient prospective payment system 
(IPPS). Interested parties are invited to this meeting to present their 
comments, recommendations, and data regarding whether the FY 2015 new 
medical services and technologies applications meet the substantial 
clinical improvement criterion.

DATES: Meeting Date: The Town Hall Meeting announced in this notice 
will be held on Wednesday, February 12, 2014. The Town Hall Meeting 
will begin at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (e.s.t.) and check-in 
will begin at 8:30 a.m. e.s.t. Deadline for Registration for 
Participants (not Presenting) at the Town Hall Meeting and Submitting 
Requests for Special Accommodations: The deadline to register to attend 
the Town Hall Meeting and requests for special accommodations must be 
received no later than 5:00 p.m., e.s.t. on Tuesday, January 28, 2014.
    Deadline for Registration of Presenters of the Town Hall Meeting: 
The deadline to register to present at the Town Hall Meeting must be 
received no later than 5:00 p.m., e.s.t. on Tuesday, January 21, 2014.
    Deadline for Submission of Agenda Item(s) or Written Comments for 
the Town Hall Meeting: Written comments and agenda items for discussion 
at the Town Hall Meeting, including agenda items by presenters, must be 
received by Tuesday, January 21, 2014. In addition to materials 
submitted for discussion at the Town Hall Meeting, individuals may 
submit other written comments after the Town Hall Meeting, as specified 
in the ADDRESSES section of this notice, on whether the service or 
technology represents a substantial clinical improvement. These 
comments must be received by Wednesday, March 5, 2014, for 
consideration in the FY 2015 IPPS proposed rule.

ADDRESSES: Meeting Location: The Town Hall Meeting will be held in the 
main Auditorium in the central building of the Centers for Medicare and 
Medicaid Services located at 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 
21244-1850.
    In addition, we are providing two alternatives to attending the 
meeting in person--(1) there will be an open toll-free phone line to 
call into the Town Hall Meeting; or (2) participants may view and 
participate in the Town Hall Meeting via live stream technology and/or 
webinar. Information on these options are discussed in section II.B. of 
this notice.
    Registration and Special Accommodations: Individuals wishing to 
participate in the meeting must register by following the on-line 
registration instructions located in section III. of this notice or by 
contacting staff listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section 
of this notice. Individuals who need special accommodations should 
contact staff listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of 
this notice.
    Submission of Agenda Item(s) or Written Comments for the Town Hall 
Meeting: Each presenter must submit an agenda item(s) regarding whether 
a FY 2015 application meets the substantial clinical improvement 
criterion. Agenda items, written comments, questions or other 
statements must not exceed three single-spaced typed pages and may be 
sent via email to newtech@cms.hhs.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Treitel, (410) 786-4552, 
michael.treitel@cms.hhs.gov, or Celeste Beauregard, (410) 786-8102, 
celeste.beauregard@cms.hhs.gov or Carol Schwartz, (410) 786-0576, 
carol.schwartz@cms.hhs.gov. Alternatively, you may forward your 
requests via email to newtech@cms.hhs.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 71556]]

I. Background on the Add-On Payments for New Medical Services and 
Technologies under the IPPS

    Sections 1886(d)(5)(K) and (L) of the Social Security Act (the Act) 
require the Secretary to establish a process of identifying and 
ensuring adequate payments to acute care hospitals for new medical 
services and technologies under Medicare. Effective for discharges 
beginning on or after October 1, 2001, section 1886(d)(5)(K)(i) of the 
Act requires the Secretary to establish (after notice and opportunity 
for public comment) a mechanism to recognize the costs of new services 
and technologies under the hospital inpatient prospective payment 
system (IPPS). In addition, section 1886(d)(5)(K)(vi) of the Act 
specifies that a medical service or technology will be considered 
``new'' if it meets criteria established by the Secretary (after notice 
and opportunity for public comment). (See the fiscal year (FY) 2002 
IPPS proposed rule (66 FR 22693, May 4, 2001) and final rule (66 FR 
46912, September 7, 2001) for a more detailed discussion.)
    In the September 7, 2001 final rule (66 FR 46914), we noted that we 
evaluated a request for special payment for a new medical service or 
technology against the following criteria in order to determine if the 
new technology meets the substantial clinical improvement requirement:
     The device offers a treatment option for a patient 
population unresponsive to, or ineligible for, currently available 
treatments.
     The device offers the ability to diagnose a medical 
condition in a patient population where that medical condition is 
currently undetectable or offers the ability to diagnose a medical 
condition earlier in a patient population than allowed by currently 
available methods. There must also be evidence that use of the device 
to make a diagnosis affects the management of the patient.
     Use of the device significantly improves clinical outcomes 
for a patient population as compared to currently available treatments. 
Some examples of outcomes that are frequently evaluated in studies of 
medical devices are the following:
    ++ Reduced mortality rate with use of the device.
    ++ Reduced rate of device-related complications.
    ++ Decreased rate of subsequent diagnostic or therapeutic 
interventions (for example, due to reduced rate of recurrence of the 
disease process).
    ++ Decreased number of future hospitalizations or physician visits.
    ++ More rapid beneficial resolution of the disease process 
treatment because of the use of the device.
    ++ Decreased pain, bleeding or other quantifiable symptoms.
    ++ Reduced recovery time.
    In addition, we indicated that the requester is required to submit 
evidence that the technology meets one or more of these criteria.
    Section 503 of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and 
Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) amended section 1886(d)(5)(K)(viii) of 
the Act to revise the process for evaluating new medical services and 
technology applications by requiring the Secretary to do the following:
     Provide for public input regarding whether a new service 
or technology represents an advance in medical technology that 
substantially improves the diagnosis or treatment of Medicare 
beneficiaries before publication of a proposed rule.
     Make public and periodically update a list of all the 
services and technologies for which an application is pending.
     Accept comments, recommendations, and data from the public 
regarding whether the service or technology represents a substantial 
improvement.
     Provide for a meeting at which organizations representing 
hospitals, physicians, manufacturers and any other interested party may 
present comments, recommendations, and data to the clinical staff of 
CMS as to whether the service or technology represents a substantial 
improvement before publication of a proposed rule.
    The opinions and alternatives provided during this meeting will 
assist us as we evaluate the new medical services and technology 
applications for FY 2015. In addition, they will help us to evaluate 
our policy on the IPPS new technology add-on payment process before the 
publication of the FY 2015 IPPS proposed rule.

II. Town Hall Meeting and Conference Calling/Live Streaming Information

A. Format of the Town Hall Meeting

    As noted in section I. of this notice, we are required to provide 
for a meeting at which organizations representing hospitals, 
physicians, manufacturers and any other interested party may present 
comments, recommendations, and data to the clinical staff of CMS 
concerning whether the service or technology represents a substantial 
clinical improvement. This meeting will allow for a discussion of the 
substantial clinical improvement criteria on each of the FY 2015 new 
medical services and technology add-on payment applications. 
Information regarding the applications can be found on our Web site at 
https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/AcuteInpatientPPS/newtech.html.
    The majority of the meeting will be reserved for presentations of 
comments, recommendations, and data from registered presenters. The 
time for each presenter's comments will be approximately 10 to 15 
minutes and will be based on the number of registered presenters. 
Presenters will be scheduled to speak in the order in which they 
register and grouped by new technology applicant. Therefore, 
individuals who would like to present must register and submit their 
agenda item(s) via email to newtech@cms.hhs.gov by the date specified 
in the DATES section of this notice.
    In addition, written comments will also be accepted and presented 
at the meeting if they are received via email to newtech@cms.hhs.gov by 
the date specified in the DATES section of this notice. Written 
comments may also be submitted after the meeting for our consideration. 
If the comments are to be considered before the publication of the 
proposed rule, the comments must be received via email to 
newtech@cms.hhs.gov by the date specified in the DATES section of this 
notice.

B. Conference Call, Live Streaming, and Webinar Information

    For participants who cannot attend the Town Hall Meeting in person, 
an open toll-free phone line, (877) 267-1577, has been made available. 
The meeting number is ``999 396 992.''
    Also, there will be an option to view and participate in the Town 
Hall Meeting via live streaming technology and/or a webinar. 
Information on the option to participate via live streaming technology 
and/or a webinar will be provided through an upcoming listserv notice 
and posted on the New Technology Web site at https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/AcuteInpatientPPS/newtech.html. Continue to check the Web site for updates.
    Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee reliability for live streaming 
technology and/or a webinar.

III. Registration Instructions

    The Division of Acute Care in CMS is coordinating the meeting 
registration for the Town Hall Meeting on substantial clinical 
improvement. While there is no registration fee, individuals planning 
to

[[Page 71557]]

attend the Town Hall Meeting in person must register to attend.
    Registration may be completed on-line at the following web address: 
https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/AcuteInpatientPPS/newtech.html. Select the link at the bottom of the 
page ``Register to Attend the New Technology Town Hall Meeting''. After 
completing the registration, on-line registrants should print the 
confirmation page(s) and bring it with them to the meeting(s).
    If you are unable to register on-line, you may register by sending 
an email to newtech@cms.hhs.gov. Please include your name, address, 
telephone number, email address and fax number. If seating capacity has 
been reached, you will be notified that the meeting has reached 
capacity.

IV. Security, Building, and Parking Guidelines

    Because these meetings will be located on Federal property, for 
security reasons, any persons wishing to attend these meetings must 
register by the date specified in the DATES section of this notice. 
Please allow sufficient time to go through the security checkpoints. It 
is suggested that you arrive at 7500 Security Boulevard no later than 
8:30 a.m. e.s.t. if you are attending the Town Hall Meeting in person 
so that you will be able to arrive promptly for the meeting.
    Security measures include the following:
     Presentation of government-issued photographic 
identification to the Federal Protective Service or Guard Service 
personnel.
     Interior and exterior inspection of vehicles (this 
includes engine and trunk inspection) at the entrance to the grounds. 
Parking permits and instructions will be issued after the vehicle 
inspection.
     Passing through a metal detector and inspection of items 
brought into the building. We note that all items brought to CMS, 
whether personal or for the purpose of demonstration or to support a 
demonstration, 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 demonstration.

    Note:  Individuals who are not registered in advance will not be 
permitted to enter the building and will be unable to attend the 
meeting in person. The public may not enter the building earlier 
than 45 minutes prior to the convening of the meeting(s).

    All visitors must be escorted in areas other than the lower and 
first floor levels in the Central Building. Seating capacity is limited 
to the first 250 registrants.

    Authority:  Section 503 of Pub. L. 108-173.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.773, 
Medicare--Hospital Insurance; and Program No. 93.774, Medicare--
Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)


    Dated: November 5, 2013.
Marilyn Tavenner,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 2013-28518 Filed 11-27-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P
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