81 FR 94378 - Medicare Program; Renewal of the Advisory Panel on Hospital Outpatient Payment and 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 81, Issue 247 (December 23, 2016)

Page Range		94378-94379
FR Document		2016-31022

This notice announces the renewal of the Advisory Panel (the Panel) on Hospital Outpatient Payment (HOP) panel charter. The charter was approved on November 21, 2016 for a 2-year period effective through November 21, 2018. This notice also solicits nominations for up to two new members to the HOP Panel. There will be two vacancies on the Panel for 4-year terms that begin during Calendar Year (CY) 2017. The purpose of the Panel is to advise the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) (the Secretary) and the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) (the Administrator) on the clinical integrity of the Ambulatory Payment Classification (APC) groups and their associated weights, and supervision of hospital outpatient therapeutic services.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 247 (Friday, December 23, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 247 (Friday, December 23, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 94378-94379]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-31022]



[[Page 94378]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-1681-N]


Medicare Program; Renewal of the Advisory Panel on Hospital 
Outpatient Payment and 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 announces the renewal of the Advisory Panel (the 
Panel) on Hospital Outpatient Payment (HOP) panel charter. The charter 
was approved on November 21, 2016 for a 2-year period effective through 
November 21, 2018. This notice also solicits nominations for up to two 
new members to the HOP Panel. There will be two vacancies on the Panel 
for 4-year terms that begin during Calendar Year (CY) 2017.
    The purpose of the Panel is to advise the Secretary of the 
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) (the Secretary) and the 
Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) 
(the Administrator) on the clinical integrity of the Ambulatory Payment 
Classification (APC) groups and their associated weights, and 
supervision of hospital outpatient therapeutic services.

DATES: Submission of Nominations: We will consider nominations if they 
are received no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (E.S.T) 
February 21, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Please submit nominations electronically to the following 
email address: [email protected].
    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 
submit an email to the following email address: [email protected].
    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 (DHHS) 
(the Secretary) is required by section 1833(t)(9)(A) of the Social 
Security Act (the Act), and allowed by section 222 of the Public Health 
Service Act (PHS Act) to consult with an expert outside panel, that is, 
the Advisory Panel on Hospital Outpatient Payment (the 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 outpatient therapeutic 
services. 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 DHHS) as part of their 
deliberations.
    The Panel Charter provides that the Panel shall meet up to 3 times 
annually. As announced in the notice, published in the Federal Register 
on May 20, 2016, entitled ``Medicare Program; Announcement of the 
Advisory Panel on Hospital Outpatient Payment (the Panel) Meeting on 
August 22-23, 2016 and Announcement of Transition to One Meeting of the 
Panel Per Year'' (81 FR 31942), in Calendar Year (CY) 2017 and 
thereafter, (unless the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) 
programmatic need suggests otherwise) there will be only one Panel 
meeting per year that will occur in the summer. We consider the 
technical advice provided by the Panel as we prepare the proposed and 
final rules to update the OPPS for the following CY.

II. Renewal of the Hospital Outpatient Payment (HOP) Panel

    The Panel was originally chartered on November 21, 2000 and the 
Panel requires a recharter every 2 years. In the April 24, 2015 Federal 
Register notice, (80 FR 23009), we inadvertently stated that the 
charter renewal was approved on November 6, 2014 for a 2-year period 
ending November 6, 2016, the correct approval date was November 21, 
2014 for a 2-year period effective through November 21, 2016.
    This notice announces the renewal of the HOP Panel charter, which 
was approved on November 21, 2016 for a 2-year period effective through 
November 21, 2018. The charter will terminate on November 21, 2018, 
unless renewed by appropriate action. CMS intends to recharter the 
Panel for another 2-year period prior to the expiration of the current 
charter.
    Pursuant to the renewed charter, the Panel will advise the 
Secretary and CMS concerning optimal strategies for the following:
     Addressing whether procedures within an APC group are 
similar both clinically and in terms of resource use.
     Reconfiguring APCs (for example, splitting of APCs, moving 
Healthcare Common Procedures Coding System (HCPCS) codes from one APC 
to another, and moving HCPCS codes from new technology APCs to clinical 
APCs).
     Evaluating APC group weights.
     Reviewing packaging the cost of items and services, 
including drugs and devices into procedures and services; including the 
methodology for packaging and the impact of packaging the cost of those 
items and services on APC group structure and payment.
     Removing procedures from the inpatient list for payment 
under the OPPS payment system.
     Using claims and cost report data for CMS' determination 
of APC group costs.
     Addressing other technical issues concerning APC group 
structure.
     Evaluating the required level of supervision for hospital 
outpatient services.

III. Solicitation of Nominations; Criteria for Nominees

    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 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 2017, along with the month that the term ends.)

 E.L. Hambrick, M.D., J.D., Chair, a CMS Medical Officer.
 Shelly Dunham, R.N.
 Kenneth M. Flowe, M.D., M.B.A.
 Dawn L. Francis, M.D., M.H.S.
 Erika Hardy, R.H.I.A.
 Karen Lambert
 Ruth Lande
 Scott Manaker, M.D., Ph.D.

[[Page 94379]]

 Agatha Nolen, Ph.D., D.Ph
 Rick Nordahl, M.B.A.
 Johnathan Pregler, M.D.
 Michael Rabovsky, M.D. *(January 2017)
 Wendy Resnick, F.H.F.M.A.
 Michael K. Schroyer, R.N.
 Norman Thomson, III, M.D.
 Kris Zimmer *(January 2017)

    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 his 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 2017, we are soliciting for up to two new nominees. Our appointment 
schedule will assure that we have the full complement of members for 
each Panel meeting.
    The Panel must be 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 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 of 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 employed.

IV. 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.

V. 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: December 13, 2016.
Andrew M. Slavitt,
Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 2016-31022 Filed 12-22-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 247 / Friday, December 23, 2016 / Notices 94379

• Agatha Nolen, Ph.D., D.Ph listed, but each must have a minimum DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
• Rick Nordahl, M.B.A. of 5 years of experience and currently HUMAN SERVICES
• Johnathan Pregler, M.D. have full-time employment in his or her
• Michael Rabovsky, M.D. *(January area of expertise. Generally, members of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
2017) the Panel serve overlapping terms up to Services
• Wendy Resnick, F.H.F.M.A.
• Michael K. Schroyer, R.N. 4 years, based on the needs of the Panel [Document Identifier CMS–10634]
• Norman Thomson, III, M.D. and contingent upon the rechartering of
• Kris Zimmer *(January 2017) the Panel. A member may serve after the Agency Information Collection
expiration of his or her term until a Activities: Submission for OMB
Panel members serve on a voluntary
successor has been sworn in. Review; Comment Request
basis, without compensation, according
to an advance written agreement; Any interested person or organization AGENCY: Centers for Medicare &
however, for the meetings, CMS may nominate one or more qualified Medicaid Services, HHS.
reimburses travel, meals, lodging, and individuals. Self-nominations will also ACTION: Notice.
related expenses in accordance with be accepted. Each nomination must
standard Government travel regulations. SUMMARY: The Centers for Medicare &
include the following:
CMS has a special interest in ensuring, Medicaid Services (CMS) is announcing
while taking into account the nominee • Letter of Nomination stating the an opportunity for the public to
pool, that the Panel is diverse in all reasons why the nominee should be comment on CMS’ intention to collect
respects of the following: geography; considered. information from the public. Under the
rural or urban practice; race, ethnicity, • Curriculum vitae or resume of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
sex, and disability; medical or technical nominee that includes an email address (PRA), federal agencies are required to
specialty; and type of hospital, hospital where the nominee can be contacted. publish notice in the Federal Register
health system, or other Medicare concerning each proposed collection of
• Written and signed statement from information, including each proposed
provider subject to the OPPS.
Based upon either self-nominations or the nominee that the nominee is willing extension or reinstatement of an existing
nominations submitted by providers or to serve on the Panel under the collection of information, and to allow
interested organizations, the Secretary, conditions described in this notice and a second opportunity for public
or his or her designee, appoints new further specified in the Charter. comment on the notice. Interested
members to the Panel from among those • The hospital or hospital system persons are invited to send comments
candidates determined to have the name and address, or CAH name and regarding the burden estimate or any
required expertise. New appointments address, as well as all Medicare hospital other aspect of this collection of
are made in a manner that ensures a and or Medicare CAH billing numbers information, including any of the
balanced membership under the FACA of the facility where the nominee is following subjects: (1) The necessity and
guidelines. For 2017, we are soliciting employed. utility of the proposed information
for up to two new nominees. Our collection for the proper performance of
appointment schedule will assure that IV. Copies of the Charter the agency’s functions; (2) the accuracy
we have the full complement of of the estimated burden; (3) ways to
members for each Panel meeting. To obtain a copy of the Panel’s enhance the quality, utility, and clarity
The Panel must be balanced in its Charter, we refer readers to our Web site of the information to be collected; and
membership in terms of the points of at http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and- (4) the use of automated collection
view represented and the functions to Guidance/Guidance/FACA/Advisory techniques or other forms of information
be performed. Each panel member must PanelonAmbulatoryPayment technology to minimize the information
be employed full-time by a hospital, ClassificationGroups.html. collection burden.
hospital system, or other Medicare DATES: Comments on the collection(s) of
V. Collection of Information
provider subject to payment under the information must be received by the
Requirements
OPPS (except for the CAH members, OMB desk officer by January 23, 2017.
since CAHs are not paid under the This document does not impose ADDRESSES: When commenting on the
OPPS). All members must have information collection requirements, proposed information collections,
technical expertise to enable them to that is, reporting, recordkeeping or please reference the document identifier
participate fully in the Panel’s work. third-party disclosure requirements. or OMB control number. To be assured
Such expertise encompasses hospital Consequently, there is no need for consideration, comments and
payment systems; hospital medical care review by the Office of Management and recommendations must be received by
delivery systems; provider billing the OMB desk officer via one of the
Budget under the authority of the
systems; APC groups; Current following transmissions: OMB, Office of
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
Procedural Terminology codes; and Information and Regulatory Affairs,
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
alpha-numeric Health Care Common Attention: CMS Desk Officer, Fax
Procedure Coding System codes; and Dated: December 13, 2016. Number: (202) 395–5806 or, Email:
the use of, and payment for, drugs, Andrew M. Slavitt, OIRA_submission@omb.eop.gov.
medical devices, and other services in Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare To obtain copies of a supporting
the outpatient setting, as well as other & Medicaid Services. statement and any related forms for the
forms of relevant expertise. For
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES

[FR Doc. 2016–31022 Filed 12–22–16; 8:45 am] proposed collection(s) summarized in
supervision deliberations, the Panel this notice, you may make your request
BILLING CODE 4120–01–P
shall have members that represent the using one of following:
interests of CAHs, who advise CMS only 1. Access CMS’ Web site address at
regarding the level of supervision for http://www.cms.hhs.gov/
hospital outpatient therapeutic services. PaperworkReductionActof1995.
It is not necessary for a nominee to 2. Email your request, including your
possess expertise in all of the areas address, phone number, OMB number,

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Document Created: 2016-12-23 12:29:16
Document Modified: 2016-12-23 12:29:16

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) February 21, 2017.
Contact		Persons wishing to nominate individuals to serve on the Panel or to obtain further information may
FR Citation		81 FR 94378

81 FR 94378 - Medicare Program; Renewal of the Advisory Panel on Hospital Outpatient Payment and Solicitation of Nominations to the Advisory Panel on Hospital Outpatient Payment

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICESCenters for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 247 (December 23, 2016)

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