[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 208 (Tuesday, October 28, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 55773-55774]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-28676]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration

42 CFR Chapter IV

[HCFA-1007-N]


Medicare Program; Meetings of the Negotiated Rulemaking Committee 
on the Provider-sponsored Organization Solvency Standards

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

ACTION: Notice of meetings.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with section 10(a) of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act, this notice announces the dates and locations for the 
second through sixth meetings of the Negotiated Rulemaking Committee on 
the provider-sponsored organization (PSO) solvency standards. The 
purpose of this committee is to negotiate the development of an interim 
final rule establishing solvency standards for provider-sponsored 
organizations under Part C of the Medicare program, as statutorily-
mandated by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. These meetings are open to 
the public.

DATES: The five scheduled meetings will be held on November 12-14, 
1997; December 3-5, 1997; January 6-8, 1998; January 27-29, 1998; and 
February 18-20, 1998. The hours of the meetings are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 
p.m. on the first two days of each meeting and 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 
on the third day of each meeting.

ADDRESSES:
    <bullet> November 12, 13, and 14, 1997, at The Phoenix Park Hotel, 
520 N. Capitol St., NW, Washington, DC 20001; (202) 638-6900;
    <bullet> December 3, 4, and 5, 1997, at the Holiday Inn Capitol, 
550 C St., SW, Washington, DC 20024; (202) 479-4000;
    <bullet> January 6, 7, and 8, 1998, at The Phoenix Park Hotel at 
the above address;
    <bullet> January 27, 28, and 29, 1998, at The Phoenix Park Hotel; 
and
    <bullet> February 18, 19, and 20, 1998, at The Phoenix Park Hotel.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Inquiries regarding these meetings should be 
addressed to Maureen Miller, Health Care Financing Administration, 
Center for Health Plans and Providers, Room S3-21-17, 7500 Security 
Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244, (410) 786-1097.

[[Page 55774]]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Balanced Budget Act (BBA) of 1997 
establishes a new Medicare+Choice program under part C of title 
XVIII of the Social Security Act (the Act). Under this program, an 
eligible individual may elect to receive Medicare benefits through 
enrollment in a Medicare+Choice plan that has a contract with us, 
which may include a health plan offered by a provider-sponsored 
organization. The BBA establishes a definition of PSOs that will be 
further clarified in forthcoming regulations. Section 4001 of the 
BBA mandates an expedited and modified negotiated rulemaking 
process for establishing solvency standards for PSOs. The standards 
must be published as an interim final rule, subject to comment, by 
April 1, 1998.

    Under the BBA, the Negotiated Rulemaking Committee is required to 
report to the Secretary by January 1, 1998, regarding its progress and 
whether it is likely to achieve consensus. The Committee is required to 
report its proposed standards to the Secretary by March 1, 1998. If, 
however, the Committee reports on January 1st that it has failed to 
make significant progress or that consensus is unlikely within the 
assigned time frame, the Committee will be terminated and publication 
of a rule will proceed using other rulemaking procedures.
    The Committee held its first meetings on October 20, 21, and 22, 
1997. At these meetings, presentations were made that related to health 
plan solvency, and the Committee discussed how to address the principal 
issues and how to proceed in developing solvency standards.
    The announced future meetings are open to the public without 
advance registration. Public attendance at the meetings may be limited 
to space available. A summary of all proceedings will be available for 
inspection in room 309-G of the Department's offices at 200 
Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC, on Monday through Friday of 
each week from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Phone: (202) 690-7890), or can be 
accessed through the HCFA Internet site at <a href="http://www/hcfa.gov/
medicare/mgdcar1.htm">http://www/hcfa.gov/
medicare/mgdcar1.htm</a>. Additional information related to the Committee 
will be available on the web site.

(Section 1851 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-21 and 
section 10(a) of Public Law 92-463 (5 U.S.C. App. 2, section 10(a)); 
45 C.F.R. Part 11)

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

    Dated: October 24, 1997.
Nancy-Ann Min DeParle,
Deputy Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.
[FR Doc. 97-28676 Filed 10-27-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P