[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 83 (Friday, April 28, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24970-24971]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-10555]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration

[HCFA-1132-N]


Medicare Program; May 23, 2000, Meeting of the Competitive 
Pricing Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), HHS.

[[Page 24971]]


ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with section 10(a) of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act, this notice announces a meeting of the Competitive 
Pricing Advisory Committee (the CPAC) on May 23, 2000. The Balanced 
Budget Act of 1997 (BBA) requires the Secretary of the Department of 
Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to establish a demonstration 
project under which payments to Medicare+Choice organizations in 
designated areas are determined in accordance with a competitive 
pricing methodology. The BBA requires the Secretary to create the CPAC 
to make recommendations on demonstration area designation and 
appropriate research designs for the project. The CPAC meetings are 
open to the public.

DATES: The meeting is scheduled for May 23, 2000, from 9 a.m. until 1 
p.m., e.d.s.t.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Double Tree Hotel Park 
Terrace, 1515 Rhode Island Avenue, NW., Washington, D.C. 20005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharon Arnold, Ph.D., Executive 
Director, Competitive Pricing Advisory Committee, Health Care Financing 
Administration, 7500 Security Boulevard C4-14-17, Baltimore, Maryland 
21244-1850, (410) 786-6451. Please refer to the HCFA Advisory 
Committees Information Line (1-877-449-5659 toll free)/(410-786-9379 
local) or the Internet (http://www/hcfa.gov/fac) for additional 
information and updates on committee activities.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Section 4011 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (BBA), Public Law 
105-33, requires the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human 
Services (the Secretary) to establish a demonstration project under 
which payments to Medicare+Choice organizations in designated areas are 
determined in accordance with a competitive pricing methodology. 
Section 4012(a) of the BBA requires the Secretary to appoint a 
Competitive Pricing Advisory Committee (the CPAC) to meet periodically 
and make recommendations to the Secretary concerning the designation of 
areas for inclusion in the project and appropriate research design for 
implementing the project. The CPAC has previously met on May 7, 1998, 
June 24 and 25, 1998, September 23 and 24, 1998, October 28, 1998, 
January 6, 1999, May 13, 1999, July 22, 1999, September 16, 1999, 
October 29, 1999, and January 12, 2000.
    The CPAC consists of 15 individuals who are independent actuaries; 
experts in competitive pricing and the administration of the Federal 
Employees Health Benefit Program; and representatives of health plans, 
insurers, employers, unions, and beneficiaries. The CPAC members are: 
James Cubbin, Executive Director, General Motors Health Care 
Initiative; Robert Berenson, M.D., Director, Center for Health Plans 
and Providers, HCFA; John Bertko, Actuary Principal, Humana Inc.; David 
Durenberger, Vice President, Public Policy Partners; Gary Goldstein, 
M.D., Healthcare Consultant; Samuel Havens, Healthcare Consultant; 
Margaret Jordan, Executive Vice President, Texas Health Resources; Chip 
Kahn, President, The Health Insurance Association of America; Cleve 
Killingsworth, President and CEO, Health Alliance Plan; Nancy Kichak, 
Director, Office of Actuaries, Office of Personnel Management; Len 
Nichols, Principal Research Associate, The Urban Institute; Robert 
Reischauer, President, The Urban Institute; John Rother, Director, 
Legislation and Public Policy, American Association of Retired Persons; 
Andrew Stern, President, Service Employees International Union, AFL-
CIO; and Jay Wolfson, Director, The Florida Information Center, 
University of South Florida. The Chairperson is James Cubbin and the 
Co-Chairperson is Robert Berenson, M.D. In accordance with section 
4012(a)(5) of the BBA, the CPAC will terminate on December 31, 2004.
    The agenda for the May 23, 2000, meeting will include a discussion 
of the components of a Report to Congress being prepared by the CPAC. 
Section 533 of the Medicare, Medicaid, and State Child Health Insurance 
Program (SCHIP) Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999, Public Law 106-
113, revised section 4011 of the BBA to require the CPAC to submit a 
report on the following topics:
    <bullet> Incorporation of original Medicare fee-for-service into 
the demonstration.
    <bullet> Requirements of quality activities under the 
demonstration.
    <bullet> Inclusion of a rural area in the demonstration.

sbull Requirements of a benefit structure under the demonstration.

    Individuals or organizations that wish to make 5-minute oral 
presentations on the agenda issues should contact the Executive 
Director, by 12 noon, May 18, 2000, to be scheduled. The number of oral 
presentations may be limited by the time available. A written copy of 
the oral remarks should be submitted to the Executive Director, no 
later than 12 noon, May 22, 2000. Anyone who is not scheduled to speak, 
may submit written comments to the Executive Director, by 12 noon, May 
22, 2000.
    The meeting is open to the public, but attendance is limited to the 
space available. Individuals requiring sign language interpretation for 
the hearing impaired or other special accommodation should contact the 
Executive Director at least 10 days before the meeting.

(Section 4012 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, Public Law 105-33 
(42 U.S.C.1395w-23 note) and section 10(a) of Public Law 92-463 (5 
U.S.C. App. 2, section 10(a))

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

    Dated: April 18, 2000.
Nancy-Ann Min DeParle,
Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.
[FR Doc. 00-10555 Filed 4-27-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P