Medicare Program; Public Meetings in Calendar Year 2015 for All New Public Requests for Revisions to the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Coding and Payment Determinations, 10691-10694 [2015-04178]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 39 / Friday, February 27, 2015 / Notices
Panel beginning September 30, 2014. As
a result of that notice, we are
announcing four new members to the
Panel. The Panel currently consists of
11 members. The four new Panel
members appointments are for four-year
terms beginning on January 14, 2015.
New Appointments to the Panel
The four new members of the Panel
with terms beginning on January 14,
2015 and continuing through January
31, 2019 are as follows:
• Dawn L. Francis, M.D.
• Ruth Lande
• Michael K. Schroyer
• Norman B. Thomson III, M.D.
III. Collection of Information
Requirements
This document does not impose
information collection requirements,
that is, reporting, recordkeeping or
third-party disclosure requirements.
Consequently, there is no need for
review by the Office of Management and
Budget under the authority of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. 35).
Dated: February 18, 2015.
Marilyn Tavenner,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 2015–04175 Filed 2–26–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services
[CMS–1465–N]
Medicare Program; Public Meetings in
Calendar Year 2015 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.
AGENCY:
This notice announces the
dates, time, and location of the
Healthcare Common Procedure Coding
System (HCPCS) public meetings to be
held in calendar year 2015 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.
The discussion will be focused on
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:05 Feb 26, 2015
Jkt 235001
responses to our specific preliminary
recommendations and will include all
items on the public meeting agenda.
(Please note that two of CMS’ 2015
HCPCS public meetings have a late
starting time.)
DATES: Meeting Dates: The following are
the 2015 HCPCS public meeting dates:
1. Thursday, May 7, 2015, 12 p.m.
(noon) to 5 p.m. eastern daylight time
(e.d.t.) (Drugs/Biologicals/
Radiopharmaceuticals/Radiologic
Imaging Agents).
2. Friday, May 8, 2015, 9 a.m. to 5
p.m. eastern daylight time (e.d.t.)
(Drugs/Biologicals/
Radiopharmaceuticals/Radiologic
Imaging Agents).
3. Thursday, May 21, 2015, 10 a.m..
to 5 p.m. eastern daylight time (e.d.t.)
(Supplies and Other).
4. Friday, May 22, 2015, 9 a.m. to 5
p.m. eastern daylight time (e.d.t.)
(Supplies and Other).
5. Wednesday, May 27, 2015, 9 a.m.
to 5 p.m. e.d.t. Durable Medical
Equipment (DME) and Accessories; and
Orthotics and Prosthetics (O&P).
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 22, 2015 for the May 7, 2015
and May 8, 2015 public meetings.
• May 7, 2015 for the May 21, 2015
and May 22, 2015 public meetings.
• May 13, 2015 for the May 27, 2015
public meeting.
Registration Deadline for Attendees
That are Foreign Nationals: Attendees
that are foreign nationals (as described
in section IV. of this notice) are required
to identify themselves as such, and
provide the necessary information for
security clearance (as described in
section IV. of this notice) to the public
meeting coordinator at least 12 business
days in advance of the date of the public
meeting the individual plans to attend.
Therefore, the registration deadlines for
attendees that are foreign nationals are
as follows:
• April 20, 2015 for the May 7, 2015
and May 8, 2015 public meetings.
• May 5, 2015 for the May 21, 2015
and May 22, 2015 public meetings.
• May 11, 2015 for the May 27, 2015
public meeting.
Registration Deadlines for all Other
Attendees: All individuals who are not
foreign nationals who plan to enter the
building to attend the public meeting
must register for each date that they
plan on attending. The registration
deadlines are different for each meeting.
Registration deadlines are as follows:
PO 00000
Frm 00032
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
10691
• April 30, 2015 for the May 7, 2015
and May 8, 2015 public meetings.
• May 14, 2015 for the May 21, 2015
and May 22, 2015 public meeting dates.
• May 20, 2015 for the May 27, 2015
public meeting date.
Deadlines for Requesting Special
Accommodations: Individuals who plan
to attend the public meetings and
require sign-language interpretation or
other special assistance must request
these services by the following
deadlines:
• April 23, 2015 for the May 7, 2015
and May 8, 2015 public meetings.
• May 7, 2015 for the May 21, 2015
and May 22, 2015 public meetings.
• May 13, 2015 for the May 27, 2015
public meeting.
Deadline for Submission of Written
Comments: Written comments and other
documentation in response to a
preliminary coding or payment
determination that are received by no
later than the date of the public meeting
at which the code request is scheduled
for discussion, will be considered in
formulating a final coding decision.
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 may either be
emailed to HCPCS@cms.hhs.gov or sent
via regular mail to Jennifer Carver,
HCPCS Public Meeting Coordinator,
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail
Stop C5–08–27, Baltimore, MD 21244–
1850.
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 www.cms.hhs.gov/
medhcpcsgeninfo or by contacting
Jennifer Carver at (410) 786–6610 or
Jennifer.Carver@cms.hhs.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jennifer Carver at (410)786–6610 or
Jennifer.Carver@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)
E:\FR\FM\27FEN1.SGM
27FEN1
10692
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 39 / Friday, February 27, 2015 / Notices
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 Healthcare Common
Procedure Coding System (HCPCS)
workgroup members for their
consideration. CMS and the HCPCS
workgroup members require sufficient
preparation time to review all relevant
materials. Therefore, we are
implementing a 10-page submission
limit and firm deadlines for receipt of
any presentation materials a meeting
speaker wishes us to consider. For this
reason, our HCPCS Public Meeting
Coordinator will only accept and review
presentation materials received by the
deadline for each public meeting, as
specified in the DATES section of this
notice.
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.
• Email address.
• Special needs information.
A CMS staff member will confirm
your registration by email.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
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
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
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:05 Feb 26, 2015
Jkt 235001
submissions for each public meeting as
specified in the DATES section of this
notice.
Please note CMS’ page limit for
primary speaker presentation materials.
The sum of all presentation materials
and additional supporting
documentation may not exceed 10
pages (each side of a page counts as 1
page). An exception will be made to the
10-page limit only for relevant studies
newly 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. This exception
applies only to the page limit and not
the submission deadline.
The materials may be emailed or
delivered by regular mail to the HCPCS
Public Meeting Coordinator as specified
in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.
The materials must be emailed or
postmarked no later than the deadline
specified in the DATES 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 ‘‘Registration Deadlines for
all Other Attendees’’ in the DATES
section of this notice. Attendees can
sign up only on the day of the meeting
to do a 5-minute presentation.
Individuals 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
Please note that two of CMS’ 2015
HCPCS public meetings have a late
starting time as noted in the DATES
section of this notice. Also, we were
able this year to combine the Orthotics/
Prosthetics and DME meeting into one
public meeting date as noted in the
DATES section of this notice.
The product category reported in the
HCPCS code application by the
applicant may not be the same as that
assigned by us. Prior to registering to
attend a public meeting, all participants
are advised to review the public meeting
agendas at www.cms.hhs.gov/
medhcpcsgeninfo which identify our
category determinations, and the dates
each item will be discussed. Draft
agendas, including a summary of each
request and our preliminary decision
will be posted on our HCPCS Web site
PO 00000
Frm 00033
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
at www.cms.hhs.gov/medhcpcsgeninfo
at least 4 weeks 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 4 weeks before the first meeting
date on the official HCPCS Web site at
www.cms.hhs.gov/medhcpcsgeninfo.
The document titled ‘‘Guidelines for
Participation in Public Meetings for All
New Public Requests for Revisions to
the Healthcare Common Procedure
Coding System (HCPCS)’’ will be made
available on the HCPCS Web site at least
4 weeks before the first public meeting
in 2015 for all new public requests for
revisions to the HCPCS. 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
‘‘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 determinations for
all the products, supplies, and services
that are coded in the HCPCS.
The HCPCS Web site also contains a
document titled ‘‘HCPCS Decision Tree
& Definitions’’ which illustrates, in flow
diagram format, HCPCS coding
standards as described in our Coding
Procedures document.
A summary of each public meeting
will be posted on the HCPCS Web site
by the end of August 2015.
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 that will register for
each meeting. Meeting participants
should arrive early to allow time to clear
security and sign-in. Each meeting is
expected to begin promptly as
scheduled. Meetings may end earlier
than the stated ending time.
A. Oral Presentation Procedures
All primary speakers must register as
provided under the section titled
‘‘Meeting Registration.’’ Materials and
writings that will be used in support of
an oral presentation should be
submitted to the HCPCS Public Meeting
Coordinator.
The materials may be emailed or
delivered by regular mail to the HCPCS
Public Meeting Coordinator as specified
in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.
The materials must be emailed or
E:\FR\FM\27FEN1.SGM
27FEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 39 / Friday, February 27, 2015 / Notices
postmarked no later than the deadline
specified in the DATES section of this
notice. 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 any
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.
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 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.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
C. ‘‘5-Minute’’ Speaker Presentations
Meeting attendees can sign up at the
meeting, on a first-come, first-served
basis, to make presentations for up to 5
minutes 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 and/or whether the 5minute time allocation would be
reduced, to accommodate the number of
speakers.
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.
Every primary speaker and 5-minute
speaker must declare at the beginning of
their presentation at the meeting, as
well as in their written summary,
whether they have any financial
involvement with the manufacturers or
competitors of any items being
discussed; this includes any payment,
salary, remuneration, or benefit
provided to that speaker by the
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:05 Feb 26, 2015
Jkt 235001
manufacturer or the manufacturer’s
representatives.
E. Written Comments From Meeting
Attendees
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.
Meeting attendees may also submit
their written comments at the meeting.
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 within the
CMS Complex which is not open to the
general public. Visitors to the complex
are required to show a valid
Government issued photo identification
preferably a driver’s license, at the time
of entry. Participants will also be subject
to a vehicle security inspection before
access to the complex is granted.
Participants not in possession of a valid
identification or who are in possession
of prohibited items will be denied
access to the complex. Prohibited items
on federal property include but are not
limited to, alcoholic beverages, illegal
narcotics, explosives, firearms or other
dangerous weapons (including pocket
knives), dogs or other animals except
service animals. Once cleared for entry
to the complex participants will be
directed to visitor parking by a security
officer.
In order to ensure expedited entry
into the building it is recommended that
participants have their ID and a copy of
their written meeting registration
confirmation readily available and that
they do not bring large/bulky items into
the building. Participants are reminded
that photography on the CMS complex
is prohibited. CMS has also been
declared a tobacco free campus and
violators are subject to legal action. In
planning arrival time, we recommend
allowing additional time to clear
security. Individuals who are not
registered in advance will not be
permitted to enter the building and will
be unable to attend the meeting. The
invited guests may not enter the
building earlier than 45 minutes before
the convening of the meeting each day.
Guest access to the complex is limited
to the meeting area, the main entrance
lobby, and the cafeteria. If a visitor is
PO 00000
Frm 00034
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
10693
found outside of those areas without
proper escort they may be escorted off
of the premises. Also be mindful that
there will be an opportunity for
everyone to speak and we request that
everyone waits for the appropriate time
to present their product or opinions.
Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated
and may result in removal from the
meetings and escort from the complex.
No visitor is allowed to attach USB
cables, thumb drives or any other
equipment to any CMS information
technology (IT) system or hardware for
any purpose at anytime. Additionally,
CMS staff is prohibited from taking such
actions on behalf of a visitor or utilizing
any removable media provided by a
visitor.
We cannot assume responsibility for
coordinating the receipt, transfer,
transport, storage, set-up, safety, or
timely arrival of any personal
belongings or items used for
demonstration or to support a
presentation. Special arrangements and
approvals are required at least 2 weeks
prior to each public meeting in order to
bring pieces of equipment or medical
devices. 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.
Foreign National Visitors are defined
as Non-U.S. Citizens, and non-lawful
permanent residents, non-resident
aliens or non-green-card holders.
Attendees that are foreign nationals
must identify themselves as such, and
provide the following information for
security clearance to the public meeting
coordinator by the date specified in the
DATES section of this notice:
• Building to Visit/Destination.
• Visit start date, start time, end date,
end time.
• Visitor full name.
• Gender.
• Visitor Title.
• Visitor Organization/Employer.
• Citizenship.
• Birth Place (City, Country).
• Date of Birth.
• ID Type (Passport or State
Department ID).
• Passport issued by Country.
• ID (passport) Number.
• ID (passport) issue date.
• ID (passport)expiration date.
• Visa Type.
• Visa Number.
E:\FR\FM\27FEN1.SGM
27FEN1
10694
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 39 / Friday, February 27, 2015 / Notices
• Purpose of Visit.
Dated: February 18, 2015.
Marilyn Tavenner,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 2015–04178 Filed 2–26–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services
[CMS–7035–N]
Health Insurance Marketplace,
Medicare, Medicaid, and Children’s
Health Insurance Programs; Meeting of
the Advisory Panel on Outreach and
Education (APOE), March 19, 2015
Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.
ACTION: Notice of meeting.
AGENCY:
This notice announces a
meeting of the Advisory Panel on
Outreach and Education (APOE) (the
Panel) in accordance with the Federal
Advisory Committee Act. The Panel
advises and makes recommendations to
the Secretary of the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS) and
the Administrator of the Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on
opportunities to enhance the
effectiveness of consumer education
strategies concerning the Health
Insurance Marketplace, Medicare,
Medicaid, and the Children’s Health
Insurance Program (CHIP). This meeting
is open to the public.
DATES: Meeting Date: Thursday, March
19, 2015, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. eastern
standard time (e.s.t.).
Deadline for Meeting Registration,
Presentations and Comments: Thursday,
March 5, 2015, 5:00 p.m., e.s.t.
Deadline for Requesting Special
Accommodations: Thursday, March 5,
2015, 5:00 p.m., e.s.t.
ADDRESSES: Meeting Location: U.S.
Department of Health & Human
Services, Hubert H. Humphrey Building,
200 Independence Avenue SW., Room
738 G, Conference Room, Washington,
DC 20201.
Presentations and Written Comments:
Abigail Huffman, Designated Federal
Official (DFO), Division of Forum and
Conference Development, Office of
Communications, Centers for Medicare
& Medicaid Services, 7500 Security
Boulevard, Mailstop S1–13–05,
Baltimore, MD 21244–1850 or contact
Ms. Huffman via email at
Abigail.Huffman1@cms.hhs.gov.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:05 Feb 26, 2015
Jkt 235001
Registration: The meeting is open to
the public, but attendance is limited to
the space available. Persons wishing to
attend this meeting must register at the
Web site https://www.regonline.com/
apoemar2015meeting or by contacting
the DFO at the address listed in the
ADDRESSES section of this notice or by
telephone at number listed in the FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of
this notice, by the date listed in the
DATES section of this notice. Individuals
requiring sign language interpretation or
other special accommodations should
contact the DFO at the address listed in
the ADDRESSES section of this notice by
the date listed in the DATES section of
this notice.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Abigail Huffman, (410) 786–0897.
Additional information about the APOE
is available on the Internet at: https://
www.cms.gov/Regulations-andGuidance/Guidance/FACA/APOE.html.
Press inquiries are handled through
the CMS Press Office at (202) 690–6145.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In
accordance with section 10(a) of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act
(FACA), this notice announces a
meeting of the Advisory Panel on
Outreach and Education (APOE) (the
Panel). Section 9(a)(2) of the Federal
Advisory Committee Act authorizes the
Secretary of the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS) (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),
requiring 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.
1314(f)) and section 222 of the Public
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 217a). The
Secretary signed the charter establishing
the Panel on January 21, 1999 (64 FR
7899, February 17, 1999) and approved
the renewal of the charter on December
18, 2012 (78 FR 32661, May 31, 2013).
The Affordable Care Act (Patient
Protection and Affordable Care Act,
Pub. L. 111 148 and Health Care and
Education Reconciliation Act of 2010,
Pub. L. 111–152) expanded the
PO 00000
Frm 00035
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
availability of other options for health
care coverage and enacted a number of
changes to Medicare as well as to
Medicaid and the Children’s Health
Insurance Program (CHIP). Qualified
individuals and qualified employers are
now able to purchase private health
insurance coverage through competitive
marketplace called Affordable Insurance
Exchange, (also called Health Insurance
Marketplace, or ‘‘Marketplace’’). In
order to effectively implement and
administer these changes, we must
provide information to consumers,
providers and other stakeholders
pursuant to education and outreach
programs regarding how these programs
will change and the expanded range of
health coverage options available,
including private health insurance
coverage through the Marketplace. The
APOE allows us to consider a broad
range of views and information from
interested audiences in connection with
this effort and to identify opportunities
to enhance the effectiveness of
education strategies concerning the
Affordable Care Act.
This FACA group also advises on
issues pertaining to education of
providers and stakeholders with respect
to the Affordable Care Act and certain
provisions of the Health Information
Technology for Economic and Clinical
Health (HITECH) Act, enacted as part of
the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
Pursuant to the amended charter, the
Panel advises and makes
recommendations to the Secretary of
HHS and the Administrator of the
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services (CMS) concerning optimal
strategies for the following:
• Developing and implementing
education and outreach programs for
individuals enrolled in, or eligible for
Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s
Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or
health coverage available through the
Health Insurance Marketplace.
• Enhancing the federal government’s
effectiveness in informing Health
Insurance Marketplace, Medicare,
Medicaid, and CHIP consumers, issuers,
providers, and stakeholders pursuant to
education and outreach programs of
issues regarding these and other health
coverage programs, including the
appropriate use of public-private
partnerships to leverage the resources of
the private sector in educating
beneficiaries, providers, and
stakeholders.
• Expanding outreach to vulnerable
and underserved communities,
including racial and ethnic minorities,
in the context of Health Insurance
E:\FR\FM\27FEN1.SGM
27FEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 39 (Friday, February 27, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10691-10694]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-04178]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
[CMS-1465-N]
Medicare Program; Public Meetings in Calendar Year 2015 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 2015 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. The discussion will be
focused on responses to our specific preliminary recommendations and
will include all items on the public meeting agenda. (Please note that
two of CMS' 2015 HCPCS public meetings have a late starting time.)
DATES: Meeting Dates: The following are the 2015 HCPCS public meeting
dates:
1. Thursday, May 7, 2015, 12 p.m. (noon) to 5 p.m. eastern daylight
time (e.d.t.) (Drugs/Biologicals/Radiopharmaceuticals/Radiologic
Imaging Agents).
2. Friday, May 8, 2015, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. eastern daylight time
(e.d.t.) (Drugs/Biologicals/Radiopharmaceuticals/Radiologic Imaging
Agents).
3. Thursday, May 21, 2015, 10 a.m.. to 5 p.m. eastern daylight time
(e.d.t.) (Supplies and Other).
4. Friday, May 22, 2015, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. eastern daylight time
(e.d.t.) (Supplies and Other).
5. Wednesday, May 27, 2015, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. e.d.t. Durable Medical
Equipment (DME) and Accessories; and Orthotics and Prosthetics (O&P).
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 22, 2015 for the May 7, 2015 and May 8, 2015 public
meetings.
May 7, 2015 for the May 21, 2015 and May 22, 2015 public
meetings.
May 13, 2015 for the May 27, 2015 public meeting.
Registration Deadline for Attendees That are Foreign Nationals:
Attendees that are foreign nationals (as described in section IV. of
this notice) are required to identify themselves as such, and provide
the necessary information for security clearance (as described in
section IV. of this notice) to the public meeting coordinator at least
12 business days in advance of the date of the public meeting the
individual plans to attend. Therefore, the registration deadlines for
attendees that are foreign nationals are as follows:
April 20, 2015 for the May 7, 2015 and May 8, 2015 public
meetings.
May 5, 2015 for the May 21, 2015 and May 22, 2015 public
meetings.
May 11, 2015 for the May 27, 2015 public meeting.
Registration Deadlines for all Other Attendees: All individuals who
are not foreign nationals who plan to enter the building to attend the
public meeting must register for each date that they plan on attending.
The registration deadlines are different for each meeting. Registration
deadlines are as follows:
April 30, 2015 for the May 7, 2015 and May 8, 2015 public
meetings.
May 14, 2015 for the May 21, 2015 and May 22, 2015 public
meeting dates.
May 20, 2015 for the May 27, 2015 public meeting date.
Deadlines for Requesting Special Accommodations: Individuals who
plan to attend the public meetings and require sign-language
interpretation or other special assistance must request these services
by the following deadlines:
April 23, 2015 for the May 7, 2015 and May 8, 2015 public
meetings.
May 7, 2015 for the May 21, 2015 and May 22, 2015 public
meetings.
May 13, 2015 for the May 27, 2015 public meeting.
Deadline for Submission of Written Comments: Written comments and
other documentation in response to a preliminary coding or payment
determination that are received by no later than the date of the public
meeting at which the code request is scheduled for discussion, will be
considered in formulating a final coding decision.
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 may either be
emailed to HCPCS@cms.hhs.gov or sent via regular mail to Jennifer
Carver, HCPCS Public Meeting Coordinator, Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop C5-08-27,
Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.
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 www.cms.hhs.gov/medhcpcsgeninfo or by contacting Jennifer Carver at (410) 786-6610 or
Jennifer.Carver@cms.hhs.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Carver at (410)786-6610 or
Jennifer.Carver@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)
[[Page 10692]]
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 Healthcare Common Procedure Coding
System (HCPCS) workgroup members for their consideration. CMS and the
HCPCS workgroup members require sufficient preparation time to review
all relevant materials. Therefore, we are implementing a 10-page
submission limit and firm deadlines for receipt of any presentation
materials a meeting speaker wishes us to consider. For this reason, our
HCPCS Public Meeting Coordinator will only accept and review
presentation materials received by the deadline for each public
meeting, as specified in the DATES section of this notice.
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.
Email address.
Special needs information.
A CMS staff member will confirm your registration by email.
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 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.
Please note CMS' page limit for primary speaker presentation
materials. The sum of all presentation materials and additional
supporting documentation may not exceed 10 pages (each side of a page
counts as 1 page). An exception will be made to the 10-page limit only
for relevant studies newly 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. This exception applies only
to the page limit and not the submission deadline.
The materials may be emailed or delivered by regular mail to the
HCPCS Public Meeting Coordinator as specified in the ADDRESSES section
of this notice. The materials must be emailed or postmarked no later
than the deadline specified in the DATES 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 ``Registration Deadlines for all Other Attendees'' in the DATES
section of this notice. Attendees can sign up only on the day of the
meeting to do a 5-minute presentation. Individuals 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
Please note that two of CMS' 2015 HCPCS public meetings have a late
starting time as noted in the DATES section of this notice. Also, we
were able this year to combine the Orthotics/Prosthetics and DME
meeting into one public meeting date as noted in the DATES section of
this notice.
The product category reported in the HCPCS code application by the
applicant may not be the same as that assigned by us. Prior to
registering to attend a public meeting, all participants are advised to
review the public meeting agendas at www.cms.hhs.gov/medhcpcsgeninfo
which identify our category determinations, and the dates each item
will be discussed. Draft agendas, including a summary of each request
and our preliminary decision will be posted on our HCPCS Web site at
www.cms.hhs.gov/medhcpcsgeninfo at least 4 weeks 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 4 weeks before the first meeting date on the official
HCPCS Web site at www.cms.hhs.gov/medhcpcsgeninfo. The document titled
``Guidelines for Participation in Public Meetings for All New Public
Requests for Revisions to the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System
(HCPCS)'' will be made available on the HCPCS Web site at least 4 weeks
before the first public meeting in 2015 for all new public requests for
revisions to the HCPCS. 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 ``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 determinations for all the products, supplies, and services
that are coded in the HCPCS.
The HCPCS Web site also contains a document titled ``HCPCS Decision
Tree & Definitions'' which illustrates, in flow diagram format, HCPCS
coding standards as described in our Coding Procedures document.
A summary of each public meeting will be posted on the HCPCS Web
site by the end of August 2015.
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 that
will register for each meeting. Meeting participants should arrive
early to allow time to clear security and sign-in. Each meeting is
expected to begin promptly as scheduled. Meetings may end earlier than
the stated ending time.
A. Oral Presentation Procedures
All primary speakers must register as provided under the section
titled ``Meeting Registration.'' Materials and writings that will be
used in support of an oral presentation should be submitted to the
HCPCS Public Meeting Coordinator.
The materials may be emailed or delivered by regular mail to the
HCPCS Public Meeting Coordinator as specified in the ADDRESSES section
of this notice. The materials must be emailed or
[[Page 10693]]
postmarked no later than the deadline specified in the DATES section of
this notice. 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 any 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.
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 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 presentations for up to 5 minutes 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 and/or whether the
5-minute time allocation would be reduced, to accommodate the number of
speakers.
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.
Every primary speaker and 5-minute speaker must declare at the
beginning of their presentation at the meeting, as well as in their
written summary, whether they have any financial involvement with the
manufacturers or competitors of any items being discussed; this
includes any payment, salary, remuneration, or benefit provided to that
speaker by the manufacturer or the manufacturer's representatives.
E. Written Comments From Meeting Attendees
Written comments 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.
Meeting attendees may also submit their written comments at the
meeting. 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 within the CMS Complex which is not open to
the general public. Visitors to the complex are required to show a
valid Government issued photo identification preferably a driver's
license, at the time of entry. Participants will also be subject to a
vehicle security inspection before access to the complex is granted.
Participants not in possession of a valid identification or who are in
possession of prohibited items will be denied access to the complex.
Prohibited items on federal property include but are not limited to,
alcoholic beverages, illegal narcotics, explosives, firearms or other
dangerous weapons (including pocket knives), dogs or other animals
except service animals. Once cleared for entry to the complex
participants will be directed to visitor parking by a security officer.
In order to ensure expedited entry into the building it is
recommended that participants have their ID and a copy of their written
meeting registration confirmation readily available and that they do
not bring large/bulky items into the building. Participants are
reminded that photography on the CMS complex is prohibited. CMS has
also been declared a tobacco free campus and violators are subject to
legal action. In planning arrival time, we recommend allowing
additional time to clear security. Individuals who are not registered
in advance will not be permitted to enter the building and will be
unable to attend the meeting. The invited guests may not enter the
building earlier than 45 minutes before the convening of the meeting
each day.
Guest access to the complex is limited to the meeting area, the
main entrance lobby, and the cafeteria. If a visitor is found outside
of those areas without proper escort they may be escorted off of the
premises. Also be mindful that there will be an opportunity for
everyone to speak and we request that everyone waits for the
appropriate time to present their product or opinions. Disruptive
behavior will not be tolerated and may result in removal from the
meetings and escort from the complex. No visitor is allowed to attach
USB cables, thumb drives or any other equipment to any CMS information
technology (IT) system or hardware for any purpose at anytime.
Additionally, CMS staff is prohibited from taking such actions on
behalf of a visitor or utilizing any removable media provided by a
visitor.
We cannot assume responsibility for coordinating the receipt,
transfer, transport, storage, set-up, safety, or timely arrival of any
personal belongings or items used for demonstration or to support a
presentation. Special arrangements and approvals are required at least
2 weeks prior to each public meeting in order to bring pieces of
equipment or medical devices. 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.
Foreign National Visitors are defined as Non-U.S. Citizens, and
non-lawful permanent residents, non-resident aliens or non-green-card
holders.
Attendees that are foreign nationals must identify themselves as
such, and provide the following information for security clearance to
the public meeting coordinator by the date specified in the DATES
section of this notice:
Building to Visit/Destination.
Visit start date, start time, end date, end time.
Visitor full name.
Gender.
Visitor Title.
Visitor Organization/Employer.
Citizenship.
Birth Place (City, Country).
Date of Birth.
ID Type (Passport or State Department ID).
Passport issued by Country.
ID (passport) Number.
ID (passport) issue date.
ID (passport)expiration date.
Visa Type.
Visa Number.
[[Page 10694]]
Purpose of Visit.
Dated: February 18, 2015.
Marilyn Tavenner,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 2015-04178 Filed 2-26-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P
