Medicare Program; June 24 and 25, 1998, Meeting of the Competitive Pricing Advisory Committee

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration

[HCFA-1043-N]

Medicare Program; June 24 and 25, 1998, Meeting of the

Competitive Pricing Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), HHS.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with section 10(a) of the Federal Advisory

Committee Act, this notice announces a meeting of the Competitive

Pricing Advisory Committee. This meeting is open to the public.

DATES: The meeting is scheduled for June 24, 1998 from 9:00 a.m. until

5:30 p.m. and for June 25, 1998 from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Bethesda Ramada Hotel and

Conference Center, 8400 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lu Zawistowich, Sc.D., Executive

Director, Competitive Pricing Advisory Committee, Health Care Financing

Administration, 7500 Security Boulevard C4-14-17, Baltimore, Maryland

21244-1850, (410) 786-6451.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 4011 of the Balanced Budget Act of

1997, (BBA) (Pub. L. 105-33) requires the Secretary of the Department

of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to establish a

demonstration project under which payments to Medicare+Choice

organizations in designated areas are determined in accordance with a

competitive pricing methodology. Section 4012 of the BBA requires the

Secretary to appoint a Competitive Pricing Advisory Committee (the

CPAC). The CPAC will meet periodically to make recommendations to the

Secretary concerning the designation of areas for inclusion in the

project and appropriate research design for implementing the project.

The CPAC consists of 15 individuals who are independent actuaries,

experts in competitive pricing and the administration of the Federal

Employees Health Benefit Program, and representatives of health plans,

insurers, employers, unions, and beneficiaries. In accordance with

section 4012(a)(5) of the Balanced Budget Act, the CPAC shall terminate

on December 31, 2004.

The CPAC held its first meeting on May 7, 1998. The CPAC members

are: James Cubbin, Executive Director, General Motors Health Care

Initiative; Robert Berenson, M.D., Director, Center for Health Plans

and Providers, HCFA; John Bertko, CEO and Senior Actuary, PM-Squared

Inc.; Dave Durenberger, Senior Health Policy Fellow, University of St.

Thomas and Founder of Public Policy Partners; Gary Goldstein, M.D.,

CEO, The Oschner Clinic; Samuel Havens, Healthcare Consultant and

Chairman of Health Scope/United; Margaret Jordan, Healthcare Consultant

and CEO, The Margaret Jordan Group; Chip Kahn, CEO, The Health

Insurance Association of America; Cleve Killingsworth, President,

Health Alliance Plan; Nancy Kichak, Director, Office of Actuaries,

Office of Personnel Management; Len Nichols, Principal Research

Associate, The Urban Institute; Robert Reischauer, Senior Fellow, The

Brookings Institute; John Rother, Director, Legislation and Public

Policy, American Association of Retired Persons; Andrew Stern,

President, Service Employees International Union, AFL-CIO; and Jay

Wolfson, Director, The Florida Information Center, University of South

Florida. The Chairperson is James Cubbin and the Co-Chairperson is

Robert Berenson, M.D.

The agenda will include description and discussion of private/

public sector experience with competitive pricing, the status of

quality of care measurements, risk adjustment in the context of

competitive pricing, and the desired criteria for demonstration site

selection. The CPAC will also discuss additional information needed

before selecting the recommended demonstration design.

Individuals or organizations that wish to make 5-minute oral

presentations on the agenda issues should contact the Executive

Director by 12 noon, June 11, 1998, to be scheduled. The number of oral

presentations may be limited by the time available. A written copy of

the oral remarks should be submitted to the Executive Director no later

than 12 noon, June 18, 1998. Anyone who is not scheduled to speak may

submit written comments to the Executive Director by 12:00 noon, June

18, 1998. The meeting is open to the public, but attendance is limited

to the space available.

(Section 4012 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, Pub. L. 105-33 (42

U.S.C. 1395w-23 note) and section 10(a) Pub. L. 92-463 (5 U.S.C. App.2,

section 10(a))

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.773,

Medicare--Hospital Insurance; and Program No. 93.774, Medicare--

Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)

Dated: June 4, 1998.

Nancy-Ann Min DeParle,

Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.

[FR Doc. 98-15600 Filed 6-8-98; 2:43 pm]

BILLING CODE 4120-01-P