[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 239 (Monday, December 14, 1998)] [Notices] [Page 68780] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-33011] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Health Care Financing Administration [HCFA-3432-N2] Medicare Program; Establishment of the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee and Request for Nominations for Members
Agency
Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), HHS.
Action
Notice.
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Summary
This notice announces the establishment of the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee that will advise the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration, as requested by the Secretary, whether medical items and services are reasonable and necessary under title XVIII of the Social Security Act. This notice requests nominations for members for the Committee. This notice also announces the signing by the Secretary on November 24, 1998 of the charter establishing the Committee. This charter ends at close of business on November 23, 2000 unless renewed by the Secretary.
Dates
Nominations for members will be considered if we receive them at the appropriate address, as provided below, no later than 5:00 p.m. on January 29, 1999.
Addresses
You may mail or deliver nominations for membership to the following address: Health Care Financing Administration, Attention: Richard Coyne, 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop South Building 03-02- 01, Baltimore, MD 21244. A request for a copy of the Secretary's Charter for the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee (MCAC) should be submitted to Maria Ellis, Office of Clinical Standards and Quality, Health Care Financing Administration, 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop South Building 3-02- 01, Baltimore, MD 21244, (410) 786-0309, or by e-mail to mellis@hcfa.gov.
For Further Information Contact
Richard Coyne, (410) 786-4458.
Supplementary Information
Background
The Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee (MCAC) is governed by provisions of Public Law 92-463 as amended (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2), which sets forth standards for the formulation and use of advisory committees. The MCAC will consist of 120 appointed members 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. The MCAC, functioning on a panel basis, will review and evaluate medical literature, review technical assessments, and examine data and information on the effectiveness and appropriateness of medical items and services that are covered or eligible for coverage under Medicare. The panels will work from an agenda provided by the MCAC that lists specific issues. The panels will develop technical advice to be reviewed and ratified by the MCAC to assist us in determining reasonable and necessary applications of medical services and technology. We are requesting nominations for voting members to serve on panels of the MCAC. We have a special interest in ensuring that women, minority groups, and physically challenged individuals are adequately represented on the advisory committee and, therefore, encourage nominations of qualified candidates from these groups. All nominations and curricula vitae for the MCAC should be sent to Richard Coyne at the address above.
Criteria for Members:
Persons nominated for membership should have expertise in one or more of the following fields: 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. We are also seeking nominations from consumer organizations. Representatives of a consumer organization must possess appropriate qualifications to understand and contribute to the MCAC's work. Nominations must state that the nominee is willing to serve as a member of the MCAC and appears to have no conflict of interest that would preclude membership. Potential candidates will be asked to provide detailed information concerning such matters as financial holdings, consultancies, and research grants or contracts to permit evaluation of possible sources of conflict of interest. Members shall be invited to serve for overlapping 4-year terms; terms of more than 2 years are contingent upon the renewal of the MCAC by appropriate action before its termination. A member may serve after the expiration of the member's term until a successor has taken office. Any interested person may nominate one or more qualified persons. Self-nominations will also be accepted.
Authority: Secs. 1102 and 1871 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1302 and 1395hh).
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.773, Medicare--Hospital Insurance; and Program No. 93.774, Medicare-- Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)
Dated: December 7, 1998 Nancy-Ann Min DeParle, Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration. [FR Doc. 98-33011 Filed 12-11-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4120-01-P