[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 225 (Tuesday, November 21, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69946-69947]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-29754]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration

[HCFA-1157-N]


Medicare Program; December 12, 2000, Meeting of the Competitive 
Pricing Advisory Committee

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

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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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 December 12, 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 December 12, 2000, from 9 a.m. 
until 12 noon, e.s.t.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, 
2660 Woodley Road N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008.

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, January 12, 2000, and May 
23, 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., Chief Medical Officer-Health Plans, Humana Inc.; 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 December 12, 2000, meeting will include a 
continuing discussion on 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

[[Page 69947]]

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.
    <bullet> Requirements of a benefit structure under the 
demonstration.
    The CPAC will also develop recommendations for how it should 
proceed in the future to carry out its responsibilities under the BBA.
    Individuals or organizations that wish to make 5-minute oral 
presentations on the agenda issues should contact the Executive 
Director, by 12 noon, December 7, 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, December 11, 2000. Anyone who is not scheduled to 
speak, may submit written comments to the Executive Director, by 12 
noon, December 11, 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: November 6, 2000.
Michael M. Hash,
Acting Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.
[FR Doc. 00-29754 Filed 11-20-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-U