Health Insurance MarketplaceSM, 79043-79045 [2015-31861]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 243 / Friday, December 18, 2015 / Notices mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES evaluated under a ‘‘framework similar to the rule of reason.’’ 4 Competitive effects analysis under the rule of reason depends upon the nature of the conduct that is under review.5 An invitation to collude is ‘‘potentially harmful and . . . serves no legitimate business purpose.’’ 6 For this reason, the Commission treats such conduct as ‘‘inherently suspect’’ (that is, presumptively anticompetitive).7 This means that an invitation to collude can be condemned under Section 5 without a showing that the respondent possesses market power.8 The Commission has long held that an invitation to collude violates Section 5 of the FTC Act even where there is no proof that the competitor accepted the invitation.9 First, unaccepted solicitations may facilitate coordination between competitors because they Ohlhausen dissented from the issuance of the Section 5 Unfair Methods of Competition Policy Statement. See https://www.ftc.gov/publicstatements/2015/08/dissenting-statementcommissioner-ohlhausen-ftc-act-section-5-policy. 4 Section 5 Unfair Methods of Competition Policy Statement. 5 See, e.g., California Dental Ass’n v. FTC, 526 U.S. 756, 781 (1999) (‘‘What is required . . . is an enquiry meet for the case, looking to the circumstances, details, and logic of a restraint.’’). 6 In re Valassis Commc’ns, Inc., 141 F.T.C. 247, 283 (2006) (Analysis of Agreement Containing Consent Order to Aid Public Comment); see also Address by FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez, Section 5 Enforcement Principles, George Washington University Law School at 5 (Aug. 13, 2015), available at https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ documents/public_statements/735411/ 150813section5speech.pdf. 7 See, e.g., In re North Carolina Bd. of Dental Examiners, 152 F.T.C. 640, 668 (2011) (noting that inherently suspect conduct is such that can be ‘‘reasonably characterized as ‘giv[ing] rise to an intuitively obviously inference of anticompetitive effect.’ ’’) (citation omitted). 8 See, e.g., In re Realcomp II, Ltd., 148 F.T.C. ll, Docket No. 9320, 2009 FTC LEXIS 250, at *51 (Oct. 30, 2009) (Comm’n Op.) (explaining that if conduct is ‘‘inherently suspect’’ in nature, and there are no cognizable procompetitive justifications, the Commission can condemn it ‘‘without proof of market power or actual effects’’). 9 See, e.g., In re Valassis Commc’ns, Inc., 141 F.T.C. 247 (2006); In re Stone Container, 125 F.T.C. 853 (1998); In re Precision Moulding, 122 F.T.C. 104 (1996). See also In re McWane, Inc., Docket No. 9351, Opinion of the Commission on Motions for Summary Decision at 20–21 (F.T.C. Aug. 9, 2012) (‘‘an invitation to collude is ‘the quintessential example of the kind of conduct that should be . . . challenged as a violation of Section 5’ ’’) (citing the Statement of Chairman Leibowitz and Commissioners Kovacic and Rosch, In re U-Haul Int’l, Inc., 150 F.T.C. 1, 53 (2010)). This conclusion has been endorsed by leading antitrust scholars. See P. Areeda & H. Hovenkamp, VI ANTITRUST LAW ¶ 1419 (2003); Stephen Calkins, Counterpoint: The Legal Foundation of the Commission’s Use of Section 5 to Challenge Invitations to Collude is Secure, Antitrust, Spring 2000, at 69. In a case brought under a state’s version of Section 5, the First Circuit expressed support for the Commission’s application of Section 5 to invitations to collude. See Liu v. Amerco, 677 F.3d 489 (1st Cir. 2012). VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:20 Dec 17, 2015 Jkt 238001 79043 This notice announces the new 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 Health Insurance MarketplaceSM,1 Medicare, Medicaid, and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) consumer education strategies. This meeting is open to the public. DATES: Meeting Date: Wednesday, January 13, 2016 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). Deadline for Meeting Registration, Presentations and Comments: Wednesday, December 30, 2015, 5 p.m., EST. Deadline for Requesting Special Accommodations: Wednesday, December 30, 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 425A, Conference Room, Washington, DC 20201. Presentations and Written Comments: Presentations and written comments should be submitted to: Abigail Huffman, Designated Federal Official (DFO), Division of Forum and Conference Development, Office of Communications, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Mailstop S1–05–06, Baltimore, MD 21244–1850 or via email at Abigail.Huffman1@cms.hhs.gov. 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/ apoejan2016meeting or by contacting the DFO as 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, Designated Federal Official, Office of Communications, CMS, 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop S1–05–06, Baltimore, MD 21244, 410–786–0897, email Abigail.Huffman1@cms.hhs.gov. Additional information about the APOE is available on the Internet at: https:// www.cms.gov/Regulations-andGuidance/Guidance/FACA/APOE.html. 10 In re Valassis Commc’ns, Inc., 141 F.T.C. 247, 283 (2006) (Analysis of Agreement Containing Consent Order to Aid Public Comment). 1 Health Insurance MarketplaceSM and MarketplaceSM are service marks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. reveal information about the solicitor’s intentions or preferences. Second, it can be difficult to discern whether a competitor has accepted a solicitation. Third, finding a violation may deter similar conduct that has no legitimate business purpose.10 III. The Proposed Consent Order The Proposed Order has the following substantive provisions: Section II, Paragraph A of the Proposed Order enjoins DTC Group from communicating with its competitors about rates or prices, with a proviso permitting public posting of rates. Section II, Paragraph B prohibits DTC Group from entering into, participating in, maintaining, organizing, implementing, enforcing, inviting, offering, or soliciting an agreement with any competitor to divide markets, to allocate customers, or to fix prices. Section II, Paragraph C bars DTC Group from urging any competitor to raise, fix, or maintain its price or rate levels, or to limit or reduce service terms or levels. Sections III–VI of the Proposed Order impose reporting and compliance requirements on DTC Group. The Proposed Order will expire in 20 years. By direction of the Commission. Donald S. Clark, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2015–31822 Filed 12–17–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6750–01–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services [CMS–7039–N] Health Insurance MarketplaceSM, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program; Meeting of the Advisory Panel on Outreach and Education (APOE), January 13, 2016 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS. ACTION: Notice of meeting. AGENCY: SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\18DEN1.SGM 18DEN1 79044 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 243 / Friday, December 18, 2015 / Notices Press inquiries are handled through the CMS Press Office at (202) 690–6145. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES I. Background The Advisory Panel for Outreach and Education (APOE) (the Panel) is governed by the provisions of Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (Pub. L. 92–463), as amended (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2), which sets forth standards for the formation and use of federal advisory committees. The Panel is authorized by section 1114(f) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1314(f)) and section 222 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 217a). The Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) (the Secretary) signed the charter establishing the Citizen’s Advisory Panel on Medicare Education 2 (the predecessor to the APOE) on January 21, 1999 (64 FR 7899, February 17, 1999) to advise and make recommendations to the Secretary and the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on the effective implementation of national Medicare education programs, including with respect to the Medicare+Choice (M+C) program added by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (Pub. L. 105–33). The Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) (Pub. L. 108–173) expanded the existing health plan options and benefits available under the M+C program and renamed it the Medicare Advantage (MA) program. We have had substantial responsibilities to provide information to Medicare beneficiaries about the range of health plan options available and better tools to evaluate these options. The successful MA program implementation required CMS to consider the views and policy input from a variety of private sector constituents and to develop a broad range of public-private partnerships. In addition, Title I of the MMA authorized the Secretary and the Administrator of CMS (by delegation) to establish the Medicare prescription drug benefit. The drug benefit allows beneficiaries to obtain qualified prescription drug coverage. In order to effectively administer the MA program and the Medicare prescription drug benefit, we have substantial responsibilities to provide information to Medicare beneficiaries about the range of health plan options and 2 We note that the Citizen’s Advisory Panel on Medicare Education is also referred to as the Advisory Panel on Medicare Education (65 FR 4617). The name was updated in the Second Amended Charter approved on July 24, 2000. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:20 Dec 17, 2015 Jkt 238001 benefits available, and to develop better tools to evaluate these plans and benefits. 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 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 marketplaces called Affordable Insurance Exchanges, or ‘‘Exchanges’’ (we also call an Exchange a Health Insurance MarketplaceSM or MarketplaceSM). In order to effectively implement and administer these changes, we must provide information to consumers, providers, and other stakeholders through education and outreach programs regarding how existing programs will change and the expanded range of health coverage options available, including private health insurance coverage through an Exchange. The APOE (the Panel) 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. The scope of this panel also includes advising on issues pertaining to the 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). On January 21, 2011, the Panel’s charter was renewed and the Panel was renamed the Advisory Panel for Outreach and Education. The Panel’s charter was most recently renewed on January 21, 2015, and will terminate on January 21, 2017 unless renewed by appropriate action. Under the current charter, the APOE will advise the Secretary and the Administrator on 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 coverage available through a Health Insurance MarketplaceSM. • Enhancing the federal government’s effectiveness in informing Health Insurance MarketplaceSM, Medicare, PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Medicaid, and CHIP consumers, issuers, providers, and stakeholders, through education and outreach programs, on issues regarding these programs, including the appropriate use of publicprivate 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 MarketplaceSM, Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP education programs. • Assembling and sharing an information base of ‘‘best practices’’ for helping consumers evaluate health coverage options. • Building and leveraging existing community infrastructures for information, counseling, and assistance. • Drawing the program link between outreach and education, promoting consumer understanding of health care coverage choices, and facilitating consumer selection/enrollment, which in turn support the overarching goal of improved access to quality care, including prevention services, envisioned under the Affordable Care Act. The current members of the Panel are: Kellan Baker, Associate Director, Center for American Progress; Robert Blancato, President, Matz, Blancato & Associates; Dale Blasier, Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Department of Orthopaedics, Arkansas Children’s Hospital; Deborah Britt, Executive Director of Community & Public Relations, Piedmont Fayette Hospital; Deena Chisolm, Associate Professor of Pediatrics & Public Health, The Ohio State University, Nationwide Children’s Hospital; Josephine DeLeon, Director, Anti-Poverty Initiatives, Catholic Charities of California; Robert Espinoza, Vice President of Policy, Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute; Jennifer Gross, Manager of Political Field Operations, Planned Parenthood of Montana; Louise Scherer Knight, Director, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins; Miriam Mobley-Smith, Dean, Chicago State University, College of Pharmacy; Roanne Osborne-Gaskin, M.D., Senior Medical Director, MDWise, Inc.; Cathy Phan, Outreach and Education Coordinator, Asian American Health Coalition DBA HOPE Clinic; Kamila Pickett, Litigation Support, Independent Contractor; Brendan Riley, Outreach and Enrollment Coordinator, NC Community Health Center Association; Jeanne Ryer, Director, New Hampshire Citizens Health Initiative, University of New Hampshire; Alvia Siddiqi, Medicaid Managed Care E:\FR\FM\18DEN1.SGM 18DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 243 / Friday, December 18, 2015 / Notices Community Network (MCCN) Medical Director, Advocate Physician Partners, Carla Smith, Executive Vice President, Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS); Tobin Van Ostern, Vice President and Co-Founder, Young Invincibles Advisors; and Paula Villescaz, Senior Consultant, Assembly Health Committee. II. Provisions of This Notice In accordance with section 10(a) of the FACA, this notice announces a meeting of the APOE. The agenda for the January 13, 2016 meeting will include the following: • Welcome and listening session with CMS leadership • Recap of the previous (October 7, 2015) meeting • Affordable Care Act initiatives • An opportunity for public comment • Meeting summary, review of recommendations, and next steps Individuals or organizations that wish to make a 5-minute oral presentation on an agenda topic should submit a written copy of the oral presentation to the DFO at the address listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice by the date listed in the DATES section of this notice. The number of oral presentations may be limited by the time available. Individuals not wishing to make an oral presentation may submit written comments to the DFO at the address listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice by the date listed in the DATES section of this notice. Authority: Sec. 222 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 217a) and sec. 10(a) of Pub. L. 92–463 (5 U.S.C. App. 2, sec. 10(a) and 41 CFR 102–3). Dated: December 10, 2015. Andrew M. Slavitt, Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. [FR Doc. 2015–31861 Filed 12–17–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4120–01–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES [Document Identifiers: CMS–855S, CMS– 10142 and CMS–R–262] Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request ACTION: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is announcing VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:20 Dec 17, 2015 Jkt 238001 Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501–3520), federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. The term ‘‘collection of SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice. SUMMARY: an opportunity for the public to comment on CMS’ intention to collect information from the public. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension or reinstatement of an existing collection of information, and to allow a second opportunity for public comment on the notice. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including any of the following subjects: (1) The necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the agency’s functions; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology to minimize the information collection burden. DATES: Comments on the collection(s) of information must be received by the OMB desk officer by January 19, 2016: ADDRESSES: When commenting on the proposed information collections, please reference the document identifier or OMB control number. To be assured consideration, comments and recommendations must be received by the OMB desk officer via one of the following transmissions: OMB, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: CMS Desk Officer, Fax Number: (202) 395– 5806 OR, Email: OIRA_submission@ omb.eop.gov. To obtain copies of a supporting statement and any related forms for the proposed collection(s) summarized in this notice, you may make your request using one of following: 1. Access CMS’ Web site address at https://www.cms.hhs.gov/ PaperworkReductionActof1995. 2. Email your request, including your address, phone number, OMB number, and CMS document identifier, to Paperwork@cms.hhs.gov. 3. Call the Reports Clearance Office at (410) 786–1326. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Reports Clearance Office at (410) 786– 1326. PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 79045 information’’ is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c) and includes agency requests or requirements that members of the public submit reports, keep records, or provide information to a third party. Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)) requires federal agencies to publish a 30-day notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension or reinstatement of an existing collection of information, before submitting the collection to OMB for approval. To comply with this requirement, CMS is publishing this notice that summarizes the following proposed collection(s) of information for public comment: 1. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Medicare Enrollment Application—Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) Suppliers; Use: The primary function of the CMS 855S Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) supplier enrollment application is to gather information from a supplier that tells us who it is, whether it meets certain qualifications to be a health care supplier, where it renders its services or supplies, the identity of the owners of the enrolling entity, and information necessary to establish correct claims payment. The goal of this revision of the CMS– 855S is to simplify and clarify the current data collection and to remove obsolete and/or redundant questions. Grammar and spelling errors were corrected. Limited informational text has been added within the application form and instructions in conjunction with links to Web sites when detail is needed by the supplier. To clarify current data collection differentiations and to be in sync with accreditation coding, section 3D (‘‘Products and Services Furnished by This Supplier’’) has been updated. This revision does not offer any new material data collection. CMS received one comment in response to the 60-day notice. Form Number: CMS–855S (OMB Control Number: 0938–1056); Frequency: Annually; Affected Public: Private sector (, Business or other for-profits and Not-for-profit institutions); Number of Respondents: 31,915; Total Annual Responses: 31,915; Total Annual Hours: 36,842. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Kimberly McPhillips at 410–786–5374.) 2. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently E:\FR\FM\18DEN1.SGM 18DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 243 (Friday, December 18, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 79043-79045]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-31861]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-7039-N]


Health Insurance MarketplaceSM, Medicare, Medicaid, 
and the Children's Health Insurance Program; Meeting of the Advisory 
Panel on Outreach and Education (APOE), January 13, 2016

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

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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

SUMMARY: This notice announces the new 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 Health Insurance MarketplaceSM,\1\ Medicare, Medicaid, 
and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) consumer education 
strategies. This meeting is open to the public.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Health Insurance MarketplaceSM and 
MarketplaceSM are service marks of the U.S. Department of 
Health and Human Services.

DATES: Meeting Date: Wednesday, January 13, 2016 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
Eastern Standard Time (EST).
    Deadline for Meeting Registration, Presentations and Comments: 
Wednesday, December 30, 2015, 5 p.m., EST.
    Deadline for Requesting Special Accommodations: Wednesday, December 
30, 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 425A, Conference Room, Washington, DC 20201.
    Presentations and Written Comments: Presentations and written 
comments should be submitted to: Abigail Huffman, Designated Federal 
Official (DFO), Division of Forum and Conference Development, Office of 
Communications, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 Security 
Boulevard, Mailstop S1-05-06, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850 or via email at 
Abigail.Huffman1@cms.hhs.gov.
    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/apoejan2016meeting or by contacting the DFO as 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, Designated Federal 
Official, Office of Communications, CMS, 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail 
Stop S1-05-06, Baltimore, MD 21244, 410-786-0897, email 
Abigail.Huffman1@cms.hhs.gov. Additional information about the APOE is 
available on the Internet at: https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/FACA/APOE.html.

[[Page 79044]]

Press inquiries are handled through the CMS Press Office at (202) 690-
6145.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Advisory Panel for Outreach and Education (APOE) (the Panel) is 
governed by the provisions of Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) 
(Pub. L. 92-463), as amended (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2), which sets forth 
standards for the formation and use of federal advisory committees. The 
Panel is authorized by section 1114(f) of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 1314(f)) and section 222 of the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 217a).
    The Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 
(HHS) (the Secretary) signed the charter establishing the Citizen's 
Advisory Panel on Medicare Education \2\ (the predecessor to the APOE) 
on January 21, 1999 (64 FR 7899, February 17, 1999) to advise and make 
recommendations to the Secretary and the Administrator of the Centers 
for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on the effective implementation 
of national Medicare education programs, including with respect to the 
Medicare+Choice (M+C) program added by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 
(Pub. L. 105-33).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ We note that the Citizen's Advisory Panel on Medicare 
Education is also referred to as the Advisory Panel on Medicare 
Education (65 FR 4617). The name was updated in the Second Amended 
Charter approved on July 24, 2000.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) (Pub. L. 108-173) 
expanded the existing health plan options and benefits available under 
the M+C program and renamed it the Medicare Advantage (MA) program. We 
have had substantial responsibilities to provide information to 
Medicare beneficiaries about the range of health plan options available 
and better tools to evaluate these options. The successful MA program 
implementation required CMS to consider the views and policy input from 
a variety of private sector constituents and to develop a broad range 
of public-private partnerships.
    In addition, Title I of the MMA authorized the Secretary and the 
Administrator of CMS (by delegation) to establish the Medicare 
prescription drug benefit. The drug benefit allows beneficiaries to 
obtain qualified prescription drug coverage. In order to effectively 
administer the MA program and the Medicare prescription drug benefit, 
we have substantial responsibilities to provide information to Medicare 
beneficiaries about the range of health plan options and benefits 
available, and to develop better tools to evaluate these plans and 
benefits.
    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 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 marketplaces 
called Affordable Insurance Exchanges, or ``Exchanges'' (we also call 
an Exchange a Health Insurance MarketplaceSM or 
MarketplaceSM). In order to effectively implement and 
administer these changes, we must provide information to consumers, 
providers, and other stakeholders through education and outreach 
programs regarding how existing programs will change and the expanded 
range of health coverage options available, including private health 
insurance coverage through an Exchange. The APOE (the Panel) 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.
    The scope of this panel also includes advising on issues pertaining 
to the 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).
    On January 21, 2011, the Panel's charter was renewed and the Panel 
was renamed the Advisory Panel for Outreach and Education. The Panel's 
charter was most recently renewed on January 21, 2015, and will 
terminate on January 21, 2017 unless renewed by appropriate action.
    Under the current charter, the APOE will advise the Secretary and 
the Administrator on 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 
coverage available through a Health Insurance MarketplaceSM.
     Enhancing the federal government's effectiveness in 
informing Health Insurance MarketplaceSM, Medicare, 
Medicaid, and CHIP consumers, issuers, providers, and stakeholders, 
through education and outreach programs, on issues regarding these 
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 MarketplaceSM, Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP 
education programs.
     Assembling and sharing an information base of ``best 
practices'' for helping consumers evaluate health coverage options.
     Building and leveraging existing community infrastructures 
for information, counseling, and assistance.
     Drawing the program link between outreach and education, 
promoting consumer understanding of health care coverage choices, and 
facilitating consumer selection/enrollment, which in turn support the 
overarching goal of improved access to quality care, including 
prevention services, envisioned under the Affordable Care Act.
    The current members of the Panel are: Kellan Baker, Associate 
Director, Center for American Progress; Robert Blancato, President, 
Matz, Blancato & Associates; Dale Blasier, Professor of Orthopaedic 
Surgery, Department of Orthopaedics, Arkansas Children's Hospital; 
Deborah Britt, Executive Director of Community & Public Relations, 
Piedmont Fayette Hospital; Deena Chisolm, Associate Professor of 
Pediatrics & Public Health, The Ohio State University, Nationwide 
Children's Hospital; Josephine DeLeon, Director, Anti-Poverty 
Initiatives, Catholic Charities of California; Robert Espinoza, Vice 
President of Policy, Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute; Jennifer 
Gross, Manager of Political Field Operations, Planned Parenthood of 
Montana; Louise Scherer Knight, Director, The Sidney Kimmel 
Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins; Miriam Mobley-Smith, 
Dean, Chicago State University, College of Pharmacy; Roanne Osborne-
Gaskin, M.D., Senior Medical Director, MDWise, Inc.; Cathy Phan, 
Outreach and Education Coordinator, Asian American Health Coalition DBA 
HOPE Clinic; Kamila Pickett, Litigation Support, Independent 
Contractor; Brendan Riley, Outreach and Enrollment Coordinator, NC 
Community Health Center Association; Jeanne Ryer, Director, New 
Hampshire Citizens Health Initiative, University of New Hampshire; 
Alvia Siddiqi, Medicaid Managed Care

[[Page 79045]]

Community Network (MCCN) Medical Director, Advocate Physician Partners, 
Carla Smith, Executive Vice President, Healthcare Information and 
Management Systems Society (HIMSS); Tobin Van Ostern, Vice President 
and Co-Founder, Young Invincibles Advisors; and Paula Villescaz, Senior 
Consultant, Assembly Health Committee.

II. Provisions of This Notice

    In accordance with section 10(a) of the FACA, this notice announces 
a meeting of the APOE. The agenda for the January 13, 2016 meeting will 
include the following:

 Welcome and listening session with CMS leadership
 Recap of the previous (October 7, 2015) meeting
 Affordable Care Act initiatives
 An opportunity for public comment
 Meeting summary, review of recommendations, and next steps

    Individuals or organizations that wish to make a 5-minute oral 
presentation on an agenda topic should submit a written copy of the 
oral presentation to the DFO at the address listed in the ADDRESSES 
section of this notice by the date listed in the DATES section of this 
notice. The number of oral presentations may be limited by the time 
available. Individuals not wishing to make an oral presentation may 
submit written comments to the DFO at the address listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this notice by the date listed in the DATES 
section of this notice.

    Authority: Sec. 222 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
217a) and sec. 10(a) of Pub. L. 92-463 (5 U.S.C. App. 2, sec. 10(a) 
and 41 CFR 102-3).

    Dated: December 10, 2015.
Andrew M. Slavitt,
Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 2015-31861 Filed 12-17-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4120-01-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.