CMS announces MEDCAC advisory council

BALTIMORE, Aug. 21, 2012—According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Medicare Evidence Development & Coverage Advisory Committee (MEDCAC) was established to provide independent guidance and expert advice to CMS on specific clinical topics. The MEDCAC is used to supplement CMS’ internal expertise and to allow an unbiased and current deliberation of state of the art technology and science. The MEDCAC reviews and evaluates medical literature, technology assessments, and examines data and information on the effectiveness and appropriateness of medical items and services that are covered under Medicare, or that may be eligible for coverage under Medicare. The MEDCAC judges the strength of the available evidence and makes recommendations to CMS based on that evidence.

As many as 100 experts in clinical and administrative medicine, biologic and physical sciences, public health administration, patient advocacy, health care data and information management and analysis, health care economics, and medical ethics are selected to serve on the MEDCAC. No more than 15 members with knowledge specific to the topic in question are selected to serve on the panel for each MEDCAC meeting. They may be recruit non-MEDCAC members who have relevant expertise to provide additional input to panel members and invite experts to make formal presentations to the MEDCAC for a particular meeting. The panel meets in a public forum approximately four to eight times a year to review medical evidence for the topic under deliberation, listen to public testimony, and provide advice about the quality of the evidence. MEDCAC meetings are announced in the Federal Register and on the CMS website. The coverage website contains a guidance document entitled Factors CMS Considers in Referring Topics to the Medicare Evidence Development & Coverage Advisory Committee; the MEDCAC’s charter, the 1998 Federal Register notice that established the MEDCAC (formerly known as the MCAC); the current roster of MEDCAC members; and other informational materials. Go to www.cms.gov.