80 FR 52294 - Medicare Program; Solicitation of Nominations to the Advisory Panel on Hospital Outpatient Payment

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 167 (August 28, 2015)

Page Range		52294-52295
FR Document		2015-21419

This notice solicits nominations for up to seven new members to the Advisory Panel on Hospital Outpatient Payment (HOP, the Panel). There will be vacancies on the Panel for four-year terms that begin during Calendar Year 2016. The purpose of the Panel is to advise the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (Secretary) and the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on the clinical integrity of the Ambulatory Payment Classification groups and their associated weights, and supervision of hospital outpatient therapeutic services. The Secretary re-chartered the Panel in 2014 for a 2-year period effective through November 6, 2016.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 167 (Friday, August 28, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 167 (Friday, August 28, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52294-52295]
From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-21419]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-1643-N]

Medicare Program; Solicitation of Nominations to the Advisory
Panel on Hospital Outpatient Payment

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice solicits nominations for up to seven new members
to the Advisory Panel on Hospital Outpatient Payment (HOP, the Panel).
There will be vacancies on the Panel for four-year terms that begin
during Calendar Year 2016.
The purpose of the Panel is to advise the Secretary of the
Department of Health and Human Services (Secretary) and the
Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on the
clinical integrity of the Ambulatory Payment Classification groups and
their associated weights, and supervision of hospital outpatient
therapeutic services.
The Secretary re-chartered the Panel in 2014 for a 2-year period
effective through November 6, 2016.

DATES: Submission of Nominations: We will consider nominations if they
are received no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (E.S.T) October
27, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Please submit nominations electronically to the following
email address: APCPanel@cms.hhs.gov.
Web site: For additional information on the Panel and updates to
the Panel's activities, we refer readers to our Web site at the
following address: http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/FACA/AdvisoryPanelonAmbulatoryPaymentClassificationGroups.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Persons wishing to nominate individuals to serve on the Panel or to
obtain further information may contact Carol Schwartz at the following
email address: APCPanel@cms.hhs.gov or call (410) 786-3985.
News Media: Representatives should contact the CMS Press Office at
(202) 690-6145.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (the
Secretary) is required by section 1833(t)(9)(A) of the Social Security
Act (the Act), and section 222 of the Public Health Service Act (PHS
Act) to consult with an expert outside advisory panel regarding the
clinical integrity of the Ambulatory Payment Classification (APC)
groups and relative payment weights that are components of the Medicare
Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS), and the
appropriate supervision level for hospital therapeutic outpatient
services. The Advisory Panel on Hospital Outpatient Payment (HOP, the
Panel) is governed by the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee
Act (FACA) (Pub. L. 92-463), as amended (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2), which
sets forth standards for the formation and use of advisory panels. The
Panel may consider data collected or developed by entities and
organizations (other than the Department of Health and Human Services)
as part of their deliberations.
The Charter provides that the Panel shall meet up to 3 times
annually. We consider the technical advice provided by the Panel as we
prepare the proposed and final rules to update the OPPS for the
following Calendar Year (CY).
The Panel shall consist of a chair and up to 15 members who are
full-time employees of hospitals, hospital systems, or other Medicare
providers that are subject to the OPPS. For supervision deliberations,
the Panel shall also include members that represent the interests of
Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), who advise the Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services (CMS) only regarding the level of supervision for
hospital outpatient therapeutic services. (For purposes of the Panel,
consultants or independent contractors are not considered to be full-
time employees in these organizations.)
The current Panel members are as follows:
(Note: The asterisk [*] indicates the Panel members whose terms end
during CY 2016, along with the month that the term ends.)
E.L. Hambrick, M.D., J.D., Chair, a CMS Medical Officer.
Karen Borman, M.D., F.A.C.S.* (July 2016)
Dawn L. Francis, M.D., M.H.S.
Ruth Lande
Jim Nelson, M.B.A., C.P.A., F.H.F.M.A.* (January 2016)
Leah Osbahr, M.A., M.P.H.* (January 2016)
Jacqueline Phillips* (February 2016)
Johnathan Pregler, M.D.
Traci Rabine* (January 2016)
Michael Rabovsky, M.D.
Wendy Resnick, F.H.F.M.A.
Michael K. Schroyer, R.N.
Marianna V. Spanaki-Varelas M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A.* (February
2016)
Norman Thomson, III, M.D.
Gale Walker* (January 2016)
Kris Zimmer
Panel members serve on a voluntary basis, without compensation,
according to an advance written agreement; however, for the meetings,
CMS reimburses travel, meals, lodging, and related expenses in
accordance with standard Government travel regulations. CMS has a
special interest in ensuring, while taking into account the nominee
pool, that the Panel is diverse in all respects of the following:
Geography; rural or urban practice; race, ethnicity, sex, and
disability; medical or technical specialty; and type of hospital,
hospital health system, or other Medicare provider subject to the OPPS.
Based upon either self-nominations or nominations submitted by
providers or interested organizations, the Secretary, or her designee,
appoints new members to the Panel from among those candidates
determined to have the required expertise. New appointments are made in
a manner that ensures a balanced membership under the FACA guidelines.
For 2016, we anticipate doing one solicitation for nominees. Our
appointment schedule will assure that we have the full complement of
members for each Panel meeting. Current members' terms expire at
different times throughout the year; therefore, we will add new members
throughout the year as terms expire.

II. Criteria for Nominees

The Panel must be fairly balanced in its membership in terms of the
points of view represented and the functions to be performed. Each
panel member must be employed full-time by a hospital, hospital system,
or other Medicare provider subject to payment under the OPPS (except
for the CAH members, since CAHs are not paid under the OPPS). All
members must have technical expertise to enable them to participate
fully in the Panel's work. Such expertise encompasses hospital payment
systems; hospital medical care delivery systems; provider billing
systems; APC groups; Current Procedural Terminology codes; and alpha-
numeric Health Care Common Procedure Coding System codes; and the use
of, and payment for, drugs, medical devices, and other services in

[[Page 52295]]

the outpatient setting, as well as other forms of relevant expertise.
For supervision deliberations, the Panel shall have members that
represent the interests of CAHs, who advise CMS only regarding the
level of supervision for hospital outpatient therapeutic services.
It is not necessary for a nominee to possess expertise in all of
the areas listed, but each must have a minimum of 5 years experience
and currently have full-time employment in his or her area of
expertise. Generally, members of the Panel serve overlapping terms up
to 4 years, based on the needs of the Panel and contingent upon the
rechartering of the Panel. A member may serve after the expiration of
his or her term until a successor has been sworn in.
Any interested person or organization may nominate one or more
qualified individuals. Self-nominations will also be accepted. Each
nomination must include the following:
Letter of Nomination stating the reasons why the nominee
should be considered.
Curriculum vitae or resume of the nominee that includes an
email address where the nominee can be contacted.
Written and signed statement from the nominee that the
nominee is willing to serve on the Panel under the conditions described
in this notice and further specified in the Charter.
The hospital or hospital system name and address, or CAH
name and address, as well as all Medicare hospital and or Medicare CAH
billing numbers of the facility where the nominee is employee.

III. Copies of the Charter

To obtain a copy of the Panel's Charter, we refer readers to our
Web site at http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/FACA/AdvisoryPanelonAmbulatoryPaymentClassificationGroups.html.

IV. Collection of Information Requirements

This document does not impose information collection requirements,
that is, reporting, recordkeeping or third-party disclosure
requirements. Consequently, there is no need for review by the Office
of Management and Budget under the authority of the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

Dated: August 17, 2015.
Andrew M. Slavitt,
Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 2015-21419 Filed 8-27-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 167 / Friday, August 28, 2015 / Notices 52295

the outpatient setting, as well as other III. Copies of the Charter Description: The Office of Head Start
forms of relevant expertise. For within the Administration for Children
To obtain a copy of the Panel’s
supervision deliberations, the Panel and Families, United States Department
Charter, we refer readers to our Web site
shall have members that represent the of Health and Human Services, is
at http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-
interests of CAHs, who advise CMS only proposing to renew authority to collect
Guidance/Guidance/FACA/Advisory
regarding the level of supervision for information on funding for the
PanelonAmbulatoryPayment
hospital outpatient therapeutic services. purchase, construction or renovation of
It is not necessary for a nominee to ClassificationGroups.html.
facilities. All information is collected
possess expertise in all of the areas IV. Collection of Information electronically through the Head Start
listed, but each must have a minimum Requirements Enterprise System (HSES). The
of 5 years experience and currently have
full-time employment in his or her area This document does not impose information required is in conformance
of expertise. Generally, members of the information collection requirements, with Section 644 (f) and (g) of the Act.
Panel serve overlapping terms up to 4 that is, reporting, recordkeeping or Federal funding officials use the
years, based on the needs of the Panel third-party disclosure requirements. information to determine that the
and contingent upon the rechartering of Consequently, there is no need for proposed purchase has resulted in
the Panel. A member may serve after the review by the Office of Management and savings when compared to the costs that
expiration of his or her term until a Budget under the authority of the would be incurred to acquire the use of
successor has been sworn in. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 an alternative facility, or that the lack of
Any interested person or organization U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). alternative facilities will prevent, or
may nominate one or more qualified Dated: August 17, 2015. would have prevented, the operation of
individuals. Self-nominations will also Andrew M. Slavitt, the program. The rule further describes
be accepted. Each nomination must Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare the assurances which are necessary to
include the following: & Medicaid Services. protect the Federal interest in real
• Letter of Nomination stating the [FR Doc. 2015–21419 Filed 8–27–15; 8:45 am] property and the conditions under
reasons why the nominee should be which federal interest may be
BILLING CODE 4120–01–P
considered.
• Curriculum vitae or resume of the subordinated and protected when
nominee that includes an email address grantees make use of debt instruments
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND when purchasing facilities. The
where the nominee can be contacted. HUMAN SERVICES
• Written and signed statement from information is used by funding officials
the nominee that the nominee is willing to determine if grantee’s arrangements
Administration for Children and
to serve on the Panel under the adequately conform to other applicable
Families
conditions described in this notice and statutes which apply to the expenditure
further specified in the Charter. Submission for OMB Review; of public funds for the purchase of real
• The hospital or hospital system Comment Request property.
name and address, or CAH name and Respondents: Head Start and Early
address, as well as all Medicare hospital Title: Purchase, Construction and
Major Renovation of Head Start Head Start program grant recipients.
and or Medicare CAH billing numbers
of the facility where the nominee is Facilities.
employee. OMB No.: 0970–0193.
ANNUAL BURDEN ESTIMATES
Number of Average burden
Number of Total burden
Instrument responses per hours per
respondents hours
respondent response

Administrative Requirements ................................................... 225 1 41 9225

Estimated Total Annual Burden document in the Federal Register. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
Hours: 9225. Therefore, a comment is best assured of HUMAN SERVICES
Cost per respondent is $40 estimated having its full effect if OMB receives it
at 2 hours x $20.00 per hour. within 30 days of publication. Written Administration for Community Living
Additional Information: Copies of the comments and recommendations for the
proposed collection may be obtained by Agency Information Collection
proposed information collection should
writing to the Administration for Activities: Submission for OMB
be sent directly to the following: Office
Children and Families, Office of Review; Comment Request; Protection
of Management and Budget, Paperwork and Advocacy for Assistive
Planning, Research and Evaluation, 370
L’Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, Reduction Project, Fax: 202–395–7285, Technology (PAAT) Program
DC 20447, Attn: ACF Reports Clearance Email: OIRA_SUBMISSION@ Performance Report
Officer. All requests should be OMB.EOP.GOV, Attn: Desk Officer for
Lhorne on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

identified by the title of the information the Administration for Children and AGENCY: Administration for Community
collection. Email address: Families. Living, HHS.
infocollection@acf.hhs.gov. Robert Sargis, ACTION: Notice.
OMB Comment: OMB is required to
Reports Clearance Officer.
make a decision concerning the SUMMARY: The Administration on
collection of information between 30 [FR Doc. 2015–21304 Filed 8–27–15; 8:45 am] Intellectual and Developmental
and 60 days after publication of this BILLING CODE 4184–01–P Disabilities (AIDD), Administration for

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Document Created: 2015-12-15 11:05:05
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 11:05:05

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice.
Dates		Submission of Nominations: We will consider nominations if they are received no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (E.S.T) October 27, 2015.
Contact		Persons wishing to nominate individuals to serve on the Panel or to obtain further information may contact Carol Schwartz at the following
FR Citation		80 FR 52294

80 FR 52294 - Medicare Program; Solicitation of Nominations to the Advisory Panel on Hospital Outpatient Payment

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICESCenters for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 167 (August 28, 2015)

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services