Medicare Program; Meeting of the Competitive Pricing Advisory Committee

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration

[HCFA-1061-N]

RIN 0938-AJ33

Medicare Program; Meeting of the Competitive Pricing Advisory

Committee

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

ACTION: Notice of a meeting.

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

Committee Act, this notice announces a public meeting of the

Competitive Pricing Advisory Committee (the CPAC) on January 6, 1999.

Section 4012 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 required 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 January 6, 1999, from 9 a.m. until

5:30 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, 2500

Calvert Street, NW., Washington, DC 20008.

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) required 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. In addition, section 4012 of the BBA

required the Secretary to appoint a Competitive Pricing Advisory

Committee (the CPAC) to meet periodically to make recommendations to

the Secretary concerning the designation of areas for inclusion in the

project and appropriate research designs 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 shall terminate on December 31,

2004.

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

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

1998, and its fourth meeting on October 28, 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 for the January 6, 1999, meeting will include a

discussion and selection of demonstration sites and the approval of the

Final Recommendation Report to the Secretary.

Individuals or organizations that wish to make 5-minute oral

presentations on the agenda issues should contact the Executive

Director by 12 noon, December 30, 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, January 4, 1999.

Anyone who is not scheduled to speak may submit written comments to

the Executive Director by 12 noon, January 4, 1999. 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: December 11, 1998.

Nancy-Ann Min DeParle,

Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.

[FR Doc. 98-33383 Filed 12-16-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4120-01-P