Medicare Program; Request for Nominations for the Practicing Physicians Advisory Council

AGENCY:

Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), HHS.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

This notice requests nominations from physician medical organizations for individuals to serve on the Practicing Physicians Advisory Council.

Section 4112 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 established the Council to advise the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services on proposed regulations and manual issuances related to physicians' services. There will be three Council vacancies on February 28, 2001.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

Nominations will be considered if we receive them at the appropriate address, provided below, no later than 5 p.m., E.S.T., on December 30, 2000.

ADDRESSES:

Mail or deliver nominations to the following address: Health Care Financing Administration, Center for Health Plans and Providers, Office of Professional Relations, Attention: Paul Rudolf, MD, JD, Executive Director, Practicing Physicians Advisory Council, Room 435-H, Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20201.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Paul Rudolf, MD, JD, Executive Director, Practicing Physicians Advisory Council, (202) 690-7418.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Section 4112 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-508) added a new section 1868 to the Social Security Act (the Act), which established the Practicing Physicians Advisory Council (the Council). The Council advises the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) on proposed regulations and manual issuances related to physicians' services. An advisory committee created by the Congress, such as this one, is subject to the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. 2).

Section 1868(a) of the Act requires that the Council consist of 15 physicians, each of whom must have submitted at least 250 claims for physicians' services under Medicare in the previous year. At least 11 Council members must be physicians as defined in section 1861(r)(1) of the Act, that is, State-licensed physicians of medicine or osteopathy. The other four Council members may include dentists, podiatrists, optometrists, and chiropractors.

The Council must include both participating and nonparticipating physicians, as well as physicians practicing in rural and underserved urban areas. In addition, section 1868(a) of the Act provides that nominations to the Secretary for Council membership must be made by medical organizations representing physicians.

This notice is an invitation to all organizations representing physicians to submit nominees for membership on the Council. Current members whose terms expire in 2001 will be considered for reappointment, if renominated, subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Management Handbook. The Secretary will appoint new members to the Council from among those candidates determined to have the expertise required to meet specific agency needs and in a manner to ensure appropriate balance of membership.

Each nomination must state that the nominee has expressed a willingness to serve as a Council member and must be accompanied by a short resume or description of the nominee's experience. To permit an evaluation of possible sources of conflict of interest, potential candidates will be asked to provide detailed information concerning financial holdings, consultant positions, research grants, and contracts.

Section 1868(b) of the Act provides that the Council meet once each calendar quarter, as requested by the Secretary, to discuss proposed changes in regulations and manual issuances that relate to physicians' services. Council members are expected to participate in all meetings. Section 1868(c) of the Act provides for payment of expenses and a per diem allowance for Council members at a rate equal to payment provided members of other advisory committees. In addition to making these payments, the Department of Health and Human Services provides management and support services to the Council.

Authority: Section 1868 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ee); 5 U.S.C. App. 2; and 45 CFR part 11.