Medicare Program; October 28, 1998, Meeting of the Competitive Pricing Advisory Committee

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration

[HCFA-1099-N]

RIN 0528-AJ21

Medicare Program; October 28, 1998, Meeting of the Competitive

Pricing Advisory Committee

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

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces a public meeting of the Competitive

Pricing Advisory Committee (the CPAC) on October 28, 1998. Section 4012

of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 requires the Secretary of the

Department of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to create the

CPAC. The CPAC meets periodically and makes recommendations to the

Secretary concerning the designation of areas for inclusion in the

Medicare+Choice competitive pricing demonstration project and suggests

appropriate research designs for implementing the project.

DATES: The meeting is scheduled for October 28, 1998, from 9 a.m. until

5:30 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at Loews Annapolis Hotel, 126 West

Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401.

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) (Public Law 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 BBA, the CPAC will terminate on December 31,

2004.

The CPAC held its first meeting on May 7, 1998, its second meeting

on June 24 and 25, 1998, and its third meeting on September 23 and 24,

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 a discussion and preliminary selection of

demonstration sites, development of evaluation questions and data

requirements, and recommendations for Area Advisory Committee

discussions.

Individuals or organizations that wish to make 5-minute oral

presentations on the agenda issues should contact Lu Zawistowich,

Sc.D., CPAC Executive Director, Health Care Financing Administration,

7500 Security Boulevard C4-14-17, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850, (410)

786-6451, by 12 noon, October 21, 1998. 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, October 23, 1998. Anyone who is not scheduled to speak

may submit written comments to the Executive Director by 12 noon,

October 23, 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, Public Law 105-33

(42 U.S.C. 1395w-23 note) and section 10(a) of Public Law 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: October 6, 1998.

Nancy-Ann Min DeParle,

Administrator,

Health Care Financing Administration.

[FR Doc. 98-27515 Filed 10-9-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4120-01-P