Meetings: Medicare; second competitive bidding demonstration,

[Federal Register: September 9, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 174)]

[Notices]

[Page 49020-49021]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr09se99-69]

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.

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:

‹bullet› Quality standards for product categories.

‹bullet› 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, hsilverman@hcfa.gov or Danielle Grush, (410) 786-0915, dgrush@hcfa.gov

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:

‹bullet› Site characteristics desirable or undesirable for the second demonstration.

‹bullet› 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

[[Page 49021]]

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: hsilverman@hcfa.gov

(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. 99-23348Filed9-8-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4120-01-P