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[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 59 (Friday, March 27, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 16412]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-07105]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-3318-N]

Medicare Program; Renewal of the Medicare Evidence Development & 
Coverage Advisory Committee (MEDCAC)

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the renewal of the Medicare Evidence 
Development & Coverage Advisory Committee (MEDCAC).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maria Ellis, (410) 786-0309. 
Additional information on the MEDCAC, including a copy of the Charter, 
is available at http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/FACA/MEDCAC.html. A copy of the charter may also be obtained by 
submitting a request to Maria Ellis via phone or via email at 
Maria.Ellis@cms.hhs.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    On December 14, 1998, we published a notice in the Federal Register 
(63 FR 68780) announcing the establishment of the Medicare Coverage 
Advisory Committee (MCAC). The Secretary signed the initial charter for 
the MCAC on November 24, 1998. The MCAC was originally established to 
provide independent guidance and expert advice to CMS on specific 
clinical topics. In 2007, the Charter was renewed and the name MCAC was 
modified to Medicare Evidence Development and Coverage Advisory 
Committee (MEDCAC) to more accurately reflect the Committee's role. The 
MEDCAC is advisory, with the final decision on all issues resting with 
CMS. Under the current charter, the MEDCAC advises the Secretary of the 
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) (the Secretary) and the 
Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on 
the quality of evidence on clinical topics under review by CMS.
    The MEDCAC consists of a pool of 100 appointed members who serve 
overlapping 2-year terms. Members shall be invited to serve for two 
terms (up to 4 years total). Members are selected from among 
authorities in clinical and administrative medicine, biologic and 
physical sciences, public health administration, health care data and 
information management and analysis, the economics of health care, 
medical ethics, and other related professions, as well as advocates for 
patients. Of the pool of 100 members, a maximum of 94 members shall be 
at-large standing members (this includes 6 members who shall be patient 
advocates) and 6 shall be members representing industry interests. The 
Secretary or designee appoints a Chair and Vice-Chair from among the 
pool of at-large members.

II. Provisions of This Notice

    This notice announces the renewal of the MEDCAC charter by the 
Secretary, effective November 24, 2014. The MEDCAC charter is effective 
for 2 years. Among other things, the new charter states that the 
committee will hold four to eight meetings over the life of the 
committee. Formerly, the charter allowed up to 16 meetings over the 
life of the committee.
    The MEDCAC functions on a committee basis. The MEDCAC hears public 
testimony; reviews medical literature, technology assessments and other 
relevant evidence; and advises CMS on the strength and weaknesses of 
that evidence. The MEDCAC also advises CMS of any evidence gaps that 
may exist and recommends the types of evidence that should be developed 
to fill those evidentiary gaps. The Committee may be asked to develop 
recommendations about specific issues related to Medicare coverage, 
and/or to review and comment upon proposed or existing Medicare 
coverage policies. The Committee may also be asked to comment on 
pertinent aspects of coverage proposals being considered and other 
policies. The Committee works from an agenda provided by a designated 
Federal official, which lists specific issues to be reviewed.

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. App. 2, section 10(a)(1) and (a)(2).

    Dated: March 20, 2015.
Patrick Conway,
Deputy Administrator for Innovation and Quality and CMS Chief Medical 
Officer, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 2015-07105 Filed 3-26-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4120-01-P
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