Medicare Program; Open Public Meeting To Discuss the Conduct of a Second Competitive Bidding Demonstration

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration

[HCFA-1087-N]

Medicare Program; Open Public Meeting To Discuss the Conduct of a

Second Competitive Bidding Demonstration

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

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces a public meeting regarding the operation

of a second competitive bidding demonstration. It is our intention to

use this second demonstration to continue to examine the use of

competitive bidding for the use of Durable Medical Equipment,

Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS). The principal subjects

to be discussed will be the selection of the site and the designation

of the group of DMEPOS services for which competitive bids will be

solicited.

The first demonstration is in Polk County, Florida. The group of

items on which competitive bids were solicited in Polk County were:

oxygen supplies and equipment, enteral nutrition equipment and

supplies, hospital beds, surgical dressings, and urological supplies.

The sale of these products under competitively determined prices will

begin October 1, 1999.

This meeting will offer an opportunity to manufacturers,

distributors, suppliers, users, and other interested parties to furnish

information and raise issues about the group of items to be offered and

the site for the second competitive bidding demonstration. The meeting

will also address the following issues:

Quality standards for product categories.

Bidding for urban versus sparsely populated areas.

DATES: The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 5, 1999, from 9:00

a.m. to 1:00 p.m., e.d.t.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in HCFA's Multipurpose Room, 7500

Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Herbert Silverman, (410) 786-7702, [email protected]

or

Danielle Grush, (410) 786-0915, [email protected]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Section 1847 of the Social Security Act, as added by section 4319

of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, authorizes the implementation of up

to five demonstration projects of competitive bidding for Part B

services, but excludes physician services. Each demonstration project

is to include specified products and/or services and could be conducted

in up to three competitive acquisition areas for a 3-year period.

However, all demonstrations must be completed by December 31, 2002.

The first demonstration will be operated in Polk County, Florida.

We are now considering how to operate a second demonstration. Among the

issues that will be addressed are:

Site characteristics desirable or undesirable for the

second demonstration.

Group of DMEPOS items for inclusion in the second

demonstration.

We are also interested in the quality standards widely used in the

industry and the sources of those standards.

We are announcing this public meeting to provide an opportunity for

individuals and organizations familiar with the characteristics of the

DMEPOS markets to furnish information and raise issues pertaining to

the second competitive bidding demonstration involving DMEPOS product

categories and the standards that would assure high quality products

and services. We

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intend to gather and present information related to these issues.

We will schedule short (10 to 15 minute) presentations by our staff

and the public on these and other related topics. Individuals

interested in making a presentation at the meeting must contact Herbert

Silverman or Danielle Grush at the above noted telephone numbers or by

fax at (410) 786-1048 no later than September 28, 1999. Individuals

must identify the topic or issue they want to discuss. Only a limited

number of presentations will be allowed because of time constraints. In

an effort to assure that all viewpoints are represented, we will notify

the participants selected to make presentations by September 30, 1999.

While the meeting is open to the public, attendance is limited to

available space. Individuals must register in advance as described

below.

Registration

Individuals may register by sending a fax to the attention of

either Herbert Silverman or Danielle Grush at the above number. At the

time of registration, please provide your name, address, and telephone

and fax numbers. Your fax transmission sheet receipt will constitute

confirmation of your registration. Individuals will be contacted only

if space is unavailable. If you have questions regarding registration,

please contact Ms. Grush. Materials will be provided at the time of the

meeting.

We will accept written comments, questions, or other materials

specific to the purpose of this meeting if received by September 28,

1999. Written submissions must be sent to: Health Care Financing

Administration, Attn: Herbert Silverman, C4-17-27, 7500 Security

Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850.

You may contact Mr. Silverman at: Telephone: (410) 786-7702, Fax:

(410) 786-1048, E-mail: [email protected]

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.773,

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

Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)

Dated: September 1, 1999.

Michael M. Hash,

Deputy Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.

[FR Doc. 99-23348 Filed 9-8-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4120-01-P