Medicare Program; October 29, 1999, Meeting of the Competitive Pricing Advisory Committee

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration

[HCFA-1092-N]

Medicare Program; October 29, 1999, 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 (the CPAC) on October 29, 1999. The Balanced

Budget Act of 1997 (BBA) 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. The BBA requires the Secretary to create the CPAC

to make recommendations on demonstration area designation and

appropriate research designs for the project. The CPAC meetings are

open to the public.

DATES: The meeting is scheduled to meet on October 29, 1999, from 10

a.m. until 4 p.m., e.d.s.t.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel,

2660 Woodley Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharon Arnold, Ph.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(a) of the BBA requires

the Secretary to appoint a Competitive Pricing Advisory Committee (the

CPAC) to meet periodically and 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 has

previously met on May 7, 1998, June 24 and 25, 1998, September 23 and

24, 1998, October 28, 1998, January 6, 1999, May 13, 1999, July 22,

1999, and September 16, 1999.

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. 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, Actuary Principal, Reden & Anders

Ltd.; David Durenberger, Vice President, Public Policy Partners; Gary

Goldstein, M.D., Samuel Havens, Healthcare Consultant; Margaret Jordan,

Healthcare Consultant; Chip Kahn, President, The Health Insurance

Association of America; Cleve Killingsworth, President and CEO, 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. In accordance with section 4012(a)(5) of the BBA, the

CPAC will terminate on December 31, 2004.

The agenda for the October 29, 1999, meeting will include the

following:

A discussion on the status of the Kansas City and Phoenix

Area Advisory Committee activities.

Reports from the CPAC subcommittees.

A review of the current implementation schedules.

A discussion of the evaluation of the competitive pricing

demonstration.

Individuals or organizations that wish to make 5-minute oral

presentations on the agenda issues should contact the Executive

Director, by 12 noon, October 26, 1999, 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, October 27, 1999. Anyone who is not scheduled to

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

noon, October 27, 1999.

This 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 7, 1999.

Michael M. Hash,

Deputy Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.

[FR Doc. 99-26751 Filed 10-13-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4120-01-P