Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 228 / Monday, November 29, 2010 / Notices 73091 

Relevant recommendations should 

include feedback on the integration of 

the imaging efficiency measures into the 

overall HOP QDRP program. 

II. Listening Session Format 

The listening session will be held on 

January 31, 2011. Measure developers, 

hospitals, medical specialty societies, 

medical professionals, and other 

interested stakeholders are invited to 

participate in person or by 

teleconference. The session will begin at 

1 p.m. E.S.T. with an overview of 

objectives for the session. The 

remainder of the meeting will be 

devoted to receiving input on additional 

imaging efficiency measures and their 

integration into the overall HOP QDRP 

program. The meeting will conclude by 

5 p.m. E.S.T. 

Participants will be permitted to 

speak in the order in which they sign 

up. Participants are encouraged to 

provide references to the evidence base 

supporting their suggested measures. 

Comments from individuals not 

registered to speak will be heard after 

scheduled statements only if time 

permits. 

III. Registration Instructions 

For security reasons, any persons 

wishing to attend this meeting must 

register by the date listed in the DATES

section of this notice. Persons interested 

in attending the meeting must register 

by completing the on-line registration 

via the designated Web site http:// 

www.cms.gov/apps/events/ 

event.asp?id=622. 

The on-line registration system will 

generate a confirmation page to indicate 

the completion of your registration. 

Please print this page as your 

registration receipt. 

Individuals may also participate in 

the listening session by teleconference. 

For individuals interested in 

participating via teleconference, 

registration is available via the Web site 

at https://www.magnetmail.net/ 

events?cf4db6967a

514fb681832e700ee3e5b0a. Registration 

is required as the number of call-in lines 

will be limited. 

Background information on the 

listening session will be posted on the 

QualityNet Web site at http:// 

www.qualitynet.org prior to the session. 

The information will be posted under 

the tab for ‘‘Hospitals Outpatient,’’ then 

select ‘‘Imaging Efficiency Measures’’ 

from the drop-down menu. We 

anticipate posting an audio download 

and/or transcript of the listening session 

in the same location on http:// 

www.qualitynet.org after completion of 

the listening session. 

Individuals requiring sign language 

interpretation or other special 

accommodations must contact the staff 

via the contact information specified in 

the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT

section of this notice by the date listed 

in the DATES section of this notice. 

IV. Security, Building, and Parking 

Guidelines 

This meeting will be held in a Federal 

government building; therefore, Federal 

security measures are applicable. The 

on-site check-in for visitors will begin at 

12 noon E.S.T. We recommend that 

confirmed registrants arrive reasonably 

early, but no earlier than 45 minutes 

prior to the start of the meeting, to allow 

additional time to clear security. 

Security measures include the 

following: 

• Presentation of government-issued 

photographic identification to the 

Federal Protective Service or Guard 

Service personnel. 

• Inspection of vehicle’s interior and 

exterior (this includes engine and trunk 

inspection) at the entrance to the 

grounds. Parking permits and 

instructions will be issued after the 

vehicle inspection. 

• Inspection, via metal detector or 

other applicable means, of all persons 

entering the building. We note that all 

items brought into CMS, whether 

personal or for the purpose of 

presentation or to support a 

presentation, including items such as 

laptops, cell phones, and palm pilots, 

are subject to physical 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 a 

presentation. 

We note that individuals who are not 

registered in advance will not be 

permitted to enter the building and will 

be unable to attend the meeting. The 

public may not enter the building earlier 

than 60 minutes prior to the convening 

of the meeting. 

All visitors must be escorted in areas 

other than the lower and first floor 

levels in the Central Building. 

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 

Program No. 93.773, Medicare—Hospital 

Insurance; and Program No. 93.774, 

Medicare—Supplementary Medical 

Insurance Program) 

Dated: November 18, 2010. 

Donald M. Berwick, 

Administrator, Centers for Medicare and 

Medicaid Services. 

[FR Doc. 2010–29995 Filed 11–26–10; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4120–01–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND 

HUMAN SERVICES 

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid 

Services 

[CMS–1342–N] 

Medicare Program; Town Hall Meeting 

on the Fiscal Year 2012 Applications 

for Add-on Payments for New Medical 

Services and Technologies Under the 

Hospital Inpatient Prospective 

Payment System and Informational 

Workshop on the Application Process 

and Criteria for Add-on Payments for 

New Medical Services and 

Technologies Under the Inpatient and 

Outpatient Prospective Payment 

Systems 

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & 

Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS. 

ACTION: Notice of meeting. 

SUMMARY: This notice announces a 

Town Hall meeting in accordance with 

section 1886(d)(5)(K)(viii) of the Social 

Security Act (the Act) to discuss fiscal 

year (FY) 2012 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 2012 new medical 

services and technologies applications 

meet the substantial clinical 

improvement criterion. 

Additionally, we will hold an 

Informational Workshop for all 

interested parties on the application 

process and criteria for add-on 

payments for new medical services and 

technologies under the IPPS and the 

application processes for the outpatient 

prospective payment system (OPPS) 

transitional pass-through payment for 

drugs, biological, and devices and new 

technology ambulatory payment 

classification (APC) group assignments 

for new services. 

DATES: Meeting Date: Both the Town 

Hall Meeting and Informational 

Workshop announced in this notice will 

be held on Wednesday, February 2, 

2011. The Informational Workshop will 

begin at 9 a.m., and check-in will begin 

at 8:30 a.m. eastern standard time 

(e.s.t.). The Town Hall Meeting will 

begin at 1 p.m. e.s.t. and check-in will 

begin at 12:30 p.m. e.s.t. Only one 

check-in is required to enter the 

building. Participants attending the 

Informational Workshop will be able to 

attend the Town Hall meeting without 

an additional check-in unless they exit 

the building. In this case, a participant 

will need to repeat the security 

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73092 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 228 / Monday, November 29, 2010 / Notices 

procedures and check-in again for the 

Town Hall Meeting. 

Deadline for Registration of Presenters 

of the Town Hall Meeting: All presenters 

for the Town Hall Meeting, whether 

attending in person or by phone, must 

register and submit their agenda item(s) 

by January 19, 2011. 

Deadline for Registration of All Other 

Participants for the Town Hall Meeting 

and the Informational Workshop and 

Submitting Requests for Special 

Accommodations: All other participants 

must register by January 24, 2011. 

Requests for special accommodations 

must be received no later than 5 p.m., 

e.s.t. on January 24, 2011. 

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 must be received by 

January 19, 2011. In addition to 

materials submitted for discussion at the 

Town Hall Meeting, individuals may 

submit other written comments, 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 February 16, 2011, 

for consideration before publication of 

the FY 2012 IPPS proposed rule. 

ADDRESSES: Meeting Location: The 

Town Hall Meeting and Informational 

Workshop will both be held in the main 

Auditorium in the central building of 

the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid 

Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, 

Baltimore, MD 21244–1850. 

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. Registration information and 

special accommodation requests may 

also be mailed to the address listed in 

the ADDRESSES 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 

2012 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 e-mail to newtech@cms.hhs.gov 

or sent via regular mail to: 

Division of Acute Care, New 

Technology Team, Mailstop C4–08–06, 

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid 

Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, 

Baltimore Maryland 21244–1850, 

Attention: Michael Treitel or Celeste 

Beauregard. 

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. 

Alternatively, you may forward your 

requests via e-mail to 

newtech@cms.hhs.gov or regular mail as 

specified in the ADDRESSES section of 

this notice. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

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 inpatient hospital 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 FY 2002 

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 evaluate 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 2012. 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 2012 

IPPS proposed rule. 

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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 228 / Monday, November 29, 2010 / Notices 73093 

II. Town Hall Meeting and 

Informational Workshop Formats and 

Conference Calling 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 

improvement. This meeting will allow 

for a discussion of the substantial 

clinical improvement criteria on each of 

the FY 2012 new medical services and 

technology add-on payment 

applications. Information regarding the 

applications can be found on our Web 

site at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Acute

InpatientPPS/08_newtech.asp

#TopOfPage. 

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) to the address specified in the 

ADDRESSES section of this notice by the 

date specified in the DATES section of 

this notice. Comments from participants 

will be heard after scheduled statements 

if time permits. Once the agenda is 

completed, it will be posted on the CMS 

IPPS Web site at http:// 

www.cms.hhs.gov/AcuteInpatientPPS/

08_newtech.asp#TopOfPage. 

In addition, written comments will 

also be accepted and presented at the 

meeting if they are received at the 

address specified in the ADDRESSES

section of this notice 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 at the address specified in the 

ADDRESSES section of this notice by the 

date specified in the DATES section of 

this notice. 

B. Informational Workshop Format 

In addition to the statutorily-required 

Town Hall Meeting on whether an IPPS 

new technology application meets the 

substantial clinical improvement 

criteria, we will be holding an 

Informational Workshop on applying for 

special payment for new medical 

services and technologies under the 

IPPS and OPPS. Specifically, for new 

technology add-on payments under the 

IPPS, we will discuss each criterion in 

detail along with other information that 

will be helpful in guiding an applicant 

through the new technology add-on 

payment process. We will also discuss 

the processes of diagnosis-related group 

(DRG) assignment and requesting new 

ICD–9–CM codes under the IPPS. 

(Information on DRGs can be found on 

the IPPS Web site at http://www.cms.

hhs.gov/AcuteInpatientPPS/01_

overview.asp#TopOfPage and 

information on ICD–9–CM coding can 

be found on our Web site at http:// 

www.cms.hhs.gov/ICD9Provider

DiagnosticCodes/. 

In addition, to facilitate the public’s 

knowledge of the OPPS application 

processes for transitional pass-through 

status of drugs, biologicals, and devices 

and assignment of new services to new 

technology ambulatory payment 

classification (APC) groups, the 

Informational Workshop will also 

include information on several 

processes for applying for special 

payment under the OPPS. One topic 

concerns the process for applying for a 

new category of devices for passthrough payment and criteria for 

evaluation. Interested parties may apply 

for a new device category, in accordance 

with section 1833(t)(6) of the Act. As 

background information, we have 

posted application and process 

background information on our Web site 

at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Hospital

OutpatientPPS/04_passthrough

_payment.asp#TopOfPage. 

Furthermore, under section 1833(t)(6) 

of the Act interested parties may also 

apply for transitional pass-through 

payment for certain new drugs and 

biologicals. As background information, 

we have posted application and process 

background information on our Web site 

at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Hospital

OutpatientPPS/04_passthrough_

payment.asp#TopOfPage. 

Finally, we provide the opportunity 

for the public to apply for new services 

to be placed in new technology APC 

groups in the OPPS, in accordance with 

our criteria and discussion in our 

November 30, 2001 final rule (66 FR 

9897 through 59903). As background 

information, we have posted application 

and process background information on 

our Web site at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ 

HospitalOutpatientPPS/04_pass

through_payment.asp#TopOfPage. We 

plan to discuss all three of these OPPS 

application processes at the 

Informational Workshop that will be 

held on February 2, 2011. 

The Informational Workshop is open 

to all interested parties including 

organizations representing hospitals, 

physicians, and manufacturers. We 

encourage all interested parties to 

attend, especially those who are not 

familiar with these processes. 

Individuals who want to attend this 

Informational Workshop must register 

by the date specified in the DATES

section of this notice. Registration 

information is available below. 

C. Conference Call Information 

For participants who cannot come to 

CMS for the Informational Workshop or 

the Town Hall Meeting, an open tollfree phone line, (877) 267–1577, has 

been made available. The conference 

code is ‘‘0400.’’ 

III. Registration Instructions 

The Division of Acute Care in CMS is 

coordinating the meeting registration for 

both the Town Hall Meeting and the 

Informational Workshop. While there is 

no registration fee, individuals must 

register to attend the Town Hall Meeting 

on substantial clinical improvement and 

for the Informational Workshop (two 

separate registrations). 

Registration may be completed online at the following Web address: 

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/

AcuteInpatientPPS/08_newtech.asp#

TopOfPage. Select the link at the bottom 

of the page ‘‘Register to Attend the New 

Technology Town Hall Meeting’’ or 

‘‘Register to Attend the New Technology 

Informational Workshop’’. 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 e-mail 

to the contacts listed in the FOR FURTHER

INFORMATION CONTACT section of this 

notice. Please include your name, 

address, telephone number, e-mail 

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 close of 

business by the date listed 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 

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73094 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 228 / Monday, November 29, 2010 / Notices 

attending the Informational Workshop 

and no later than 12:30 p.m. e.s.t. if you 

are attending the Town Hall Meeting so 

that you will be able to arrive promptly 

at the appropriate 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. 

Note: Individuals who are not registered in 

advance will not be permitted to enter the 

building and will be unable to attend the 

meetings. 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 18, 2010. 

Donald M. Berwick, 

Administrator, Centers for Medicare & 

Medicaid Services. 

[FR Doc. 2010–29989 Filed 11–26–10; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4120–01–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND 

HUMAN SERVICES 

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid 

Services 

[CMS–3237–N] 

Medicare Program; Meeting of the 

Medicare Evidence Development and 

Coverage Advisory Committee— 

January 19, 2011 

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & 

Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS. 

ACTION: Notice of meeting. 

SUMMARY: This notice announces that a 

public meeting of the Medicare 

Evidence Development & Coverage 

Advisory Committee (MEDCAC) 

(‘‘Committee’’) will be held on 

Wednesday, January 19, 2011. The 

Committee generally provides advice 

and recommendations concerning the 

adequacy of scientific evidence needed 

to determine whether certain medical 

items and services can be covered under 

the Medicare statute. This meeting will 

focus on the currently available 

evidence regarding the effects of 

Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents 

(ESAs) on health outcomes in adult 

chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients 

(pre-dialysis and dialysis). This meeting 

is open to the public in accordance with 

the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 

U.S.C. App. 2, section 10(a)). 

DATES: Meeting Date: The public 

meeting will be held on Wednesday, 

January 19, 2011 from 7:30 a.m. until 

4:30 p.m., Eastern Standard Time (EST). 

Deadline for Submission of Written 

Comments: Written comments must be 

received at the address specified in the 

ADDRESSES section of this notice by 5 

p.m. EST, Monday, December 20, 2010. 

Once submitted, all comments are final. 

Deadlines for Speaker Registration 

and Presentation Materials: The 

deadline to register to be a speaker and 

to submit powerpoint presentation 

materials and writings that will be used 

in support of an oral presentation, is 5 

p.m., EST on Monday, December 20, 

2010. Speakers may register by phone or 

via e-mail by contacting the person 

listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

CONTACT section of this notice. 

Presentation materials must be received 

at the address specified in the 

ADDRESSES section of this notice. 

Deadline for All Other Attendees 

Registration: Individuals may register 

online at http://www.cms.gov/apps/

events/upcomingevents.asp?

strOrderBy=1&type=3, or by phone by 

contacting the person listed in the FOR

FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of 

this notice by 5 p.m. EST, Wednesday, 

January 12, 2011. 

We will be broadcasting the meeting 

via Webinar. You must register for the 

Webinar portion of the meeting at 

https://webinar.cms.hhs.gov/

esamedcac119/event/registration.html 

by 5 p.m. EST, Thursday, January 13, 

2011. 

Deadline for Submitting a Request for 

Special Accommodations: Persons 

attending the meeting who are hearing 

or visually impaired, or have a 

condition that requires special 

assistance or accommodations, are 

asked to contact the Executive Secretary 

as specified in the FOR FURTHER

INFORMATION CONTACT section of this 

notice no later than 5 p.m., EST Friday, 

January 7, 2011. 

ADDRESSES: Meeting Location: The 

meeting will be held in the main 

auditorium of the Centers for Medicare 

& Medicaid Services, 7500 Security 

Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244. 

Submission of Presentations and 

Comments: Presentation materials and 

written comments that will be presented 

at the meeting must be submitted via email to 

MedCACpresentations@cms.hhs.gov or 

by regular mail to the contact listed in 

the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT

section of this notice by the date 

specified in the DATES section of this 

notice. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Maria Ellis, Executive Secretary for 

MEDCAC, Centers for Medicare & 

Medicaid Services, Office of Clinical 

Standards and Quality, Coverage and 

Analysis Group, C1–09–06, 7500 

Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 

21244 or contact Ms. Ellis by phone 

(410–786–0309) or via e-mail at 

Maria.Ellis@cms.hhs.gov . 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background 

MEDCAC, formerly known as the 

Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee 

(MCAC), provides advice and 

recommendations to CMS regarding 

clinical issues. (For more information 

on MCAC, see the December 14, 1998 

Federal Register (63 FR 68780).) This 

notice announces the January 19, 2011, 

public meeting of the Committee. 

During this meeting, the Committee will 

discuss the evidence that is currently 

available regarding the effects of 

Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents 

(ESAs) on health outcomes in adult 

chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients 

(pre-dialysis and dialysis). Background 

information about this topic, including 

panel materials, is available at http:// 

www.cms.hhs.gov/center/coverage.asp. 

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