Medicare Evidentiary Priorities

On April 30, 2008, CMS will convene a public meeting of the Medicare Evidence Development & Coverage Advisory Committee (MedCAC) entitled Evidentiary Priorities for the Medicare Program. This is the second MedCAC meeting on this subject. The first was held on October 22, 2007.

The October 2007 MedCAC meeting resulted in a list of 105 research questions of importance to the elderly. Scientists from several NIH Institutes gave presentations on the most important evidentiary gaps from the perspective of their Institute.

On February 13, 2008, we held the Federal Evidentiary Priorities Workshop. We invited about 50 scientists from CDC, AHRQ, CMS, FDA, and 13 NIH Institutes to participate in the workshop to revise and refine the MedCAC research questions. The workshop teams produced an extensive scored list of evidentiary priorities.

The April 30th MedCAC will revise and score the list produced by the Federal workshop based on the major issues affecting the healthcare of the elderly in this country. The product will be a final draft of some of the research needs most significant to the elderly population.

Written Comments:

Written comments and those that will be presented verbally at the meeting must be submitted by e-mail to MedCACpresentations@cms.hhs.gov by by April 2, 2008, 5:00pm, est. Once submitted, comments are final. The meeting will not include PowerPoint presentations.

Registration:

The Coverage and Analysis Group is coordinating meeting registration. While there is no registration fee, individuals must register to attend. Register by contacting Maria Ellis maria.ellis@cms.hhs.gov by phone or e-mail. Please provide your full name (as it appears on your state issued driver's license), address, organization, telephone, fax number(s), and e-mail address.

You will receive a registration confirmation with instructions for your arrival at the CMS complex. You will be notified if the seating capacity has been reached.

This meeting is located on Federal property; therefore, for security reasons, any individuals wishing to attend this meeting must register by close of business on by close of business on Monday April 21, 2008.

Security:

This meeting will be held in a Federal government building; therefore, Federal security measures are applicable. In planning your arrival time, we recommend that you arrive reasonably early to allow additional time to clear security.

In order to gain access to the building and grounds, individuals must present government issued photographic identification to the Federal Protective Service or Guard Service personnel before being allowed entrance.

Security measures also include a full inspection of vehicles, inside and exterior areas (rear trunk and engine) at the entrance to the grounds. In addition, all individuals entering the building must pass through a metal detector. All items brought to CMS, whether personal or for the purpose of or support of a demonstration, are subject to inspection. We cannot assume responsibility for coordinating the receipt, transfer, transport, storage, set-up, safety, or timely arrival of any personal belongings or items used for demonstration or to support a demonstration.

Parking permits and instructions will be issued upon arrival.

Note: Individuals who are not registered in advance will not be permitted to enter the building and will be unable to attend the meeting. The public may not enter the building earlier than 30 to 45 minutes prior to the convening of the meeting.

All visitors must be escorted in areas except for the lower and first floor levels in the Central Building.

March 25, 2008

March 27, 2008

April 10, 2008

May 20, 2008

Steve Pearson, MD, MSc, Vice Chair
Barry M. Straube, MD CMS Chief Medical Officer
Director, Office of Clinical Standards and Quality
Maria Ellis, Executive Secretary

7:30 - 8:00 AM

8:00 - 8:15AM

8:15 - 8:35 AM

8:35 - 10:30AM

10:30 - 11:15AM

11:15 - 11:35PM

11:35 - 12:00PM

Public Attendees who wish to address the panel will be given that opportunity

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Public attendees, who have contacted the executive secretary prior to the meeting, will address the panel and present information relevant to the agenda. Speakers are asked to state whether or not they have any financial involvement with manufacturers of any products being discussed or with their competitors and who funded their travel to this meeting.

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12:00- 1:00PM LUNCH

1:00 - 4:00PM

4:00 - 4:25 PM

4:25 - 4:30 PM

4:30 PM