CMS Calls for New PAOC Nominees

BALTIMORE

Earlier this month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services solicited nominations for new panel members to serve on the Program Advisory and Oversight Committee, which will make recommendations on issues related to the next phase of national competitive bidding.

Formed under the Medicare Modernization Act to advise CMS on implementing NCB, the PAOC held its first meeting in 2004 and had been scheduled to meet periodically through 2009. But because the DMEPOS bidding program was delayed, CMS said, it was ending the term of service for current members — including a number of HME advocates — but would extend the PAOC for two years through 2011.

The new committee will have 10 to 12 members from categories including beneficiary/consumer representatives, physicians and other practitioners, suppliers, professional standards organizations, financial standards specialists (economist/CPA) and associations. CMS may consider additional nominees if their expertise “will help to ensure the successful implementation of the program,” the agency said.

Nominations are due by Nov. 3. For information, see the CMS Web site at www.cms.hhs.gov/center/dme.asp.