Advisory Panel on Hospital Outpatient Payment

For purposes of this Panel, consultants or independent contractors are not considered to be representatives of providers.  All members shall serve on a voluntary basis, without compensation, pursuant to advance written agreement.  Members of the Panel shall be entitled to receive reimbursement for travel expenses and per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with Standard Government Travel Regulations.  Panel members may serve for up to 4-year terms.  A member may serve after the expiration of his/her term until a successor has been sworn in. 

A Federal official, designated by the Secretary or the Administrator, shall serve as the Chair and shall facilitate the Panel meetings.  The Chair's term shall usually be for a period of 4 years, but it may be extended at the discretion of the Administrator or his/her duly appointed designee.

Meetings shall be held up to three times a year.  The Panel Chair shall facilitate meetings and the DFO or designee shall be present at all meetings.  Meetings shall be open to the public except as determined otherwise by the Secretary or other official to whom the authority has been delegated in accordance with the Government in the Sunshine Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b(c)) and FACA.  Notice of all meetings shall be published in the Federal Register as required by applicable laws and Departmental regulations.  Meetings shall be conducted, and records of the proceedings kept, as required by applicable laws and departmental regulations.

All members shall serve in a voluntary status without compensation pursuant to advance written agreement.  Members of the Panel shall be entitled to receive reimbursement for travel expenses and per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with Standard Government Travel Regulations.