Medicare Program; Open Town Hall Meeting to Discuss the Positron Emission Tomography

Background

Currently, Medicare covers positron emission tomography (PET) scanning for the diagnostic evaluation of solitary pulmonary nodules and for staging of primary lung cancer. The purpose of the PET Scan Town Hall Meeting is to convene dialogue on PET scanning for the evaluation and management of head and neck, brain, and colorectal cancers; melanoma; and lymphoma. We anticipate participation by national professional medical organizations; medical equipment manufacturers; experts in technology assessment, health policy, and clinical research; other federal agencies; managed care organizations; national cancer organizations; and other members of the public with an interest in future oncology applications of PET. The format of the meeting will include short (10-20 minutes) public presentations on PET scanning for the above oncology applications. It is our intent for invited panelists to stimulate further discussion based on the presentations. This discussion will be free-flowing and will not result in a set of advisory recommendations, or consensus statements. The PET Scan Town Hall Meeting will assist us in reviewing the state of evidence for PET scanning in malignancies, as well as understanding the viewpoints of stakeholders with an interest in PET coverage policy. The meeting will conclude with a question-and-answer session during which the public may raise any issues related to the topics discussed. While the meeting is open to the public, attendance is limited to space available.

Individuals must register in advance as described below.

Registration

AFYA, Incorporated in Takoma Park, Maryland will handle registration for the meeting. Individuals may register by contacting Cathy Freeland at AFYA, Incorporated by mail or fax. Please provide your name, title, firm name, address, telephone number, fax number, and Internet electronic mail address (if applicable). • For mail registration, the address is: AFYA, Incorporated, 6930 Carroll Avenue, Suite 820, Takoma Park, Maryland 20912, Attention: Cathy Freeland. • For fax registration, the number is (301) 270-3441.

AFYA, Inc. will provide all registrations with a confirmation packet and background papers before the meeting. Participants who wish to display an exhibit or make a presentation at the meeting, must contact Maria Ellis at (410) 786-0309 or via E- Mail at [email protected] or Mitchell I. Burken, M.D. at (410) 786-6881 or via E-Mail at [email protected] no later than December 30, 1998. We will accept written questions, comments, or other materials, either before the meeting, or up to 14 days after the meeting. Address comments to: Health Care Financing Administration, ATTN: Mitchell I. Burken, M.D., Office of Clinical Standards and Quality/CAG, Room S3-02- 01,7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850, Telephone Number: (410) 786-6861, Fax Number: (410) 786-0169; E-Mail: [email protected] There is no special format for the materials; however, we request that commenters be clear about the issue or aspect of the proposed process on which they have a question, comment, or suggestion.

Authority: Secs. 1102 and 1871 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1302 and 1395hh).

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 98.773, Medicate--Hospital Insurance; and Program No. 93.774, Medicate-- Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)

Dated: December 18, 1998. Nancy-Ann Min DeParle, Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration. [FR Doc. 98-34739 Filed 12-31-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4120-01-M