The Federal Register

Medicare Program; Medicare Prescription Drug Discount Card

Mon, Dec 15 2003 11:00:00 GMT

Section 101, subpart 4 of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, codified in section 1860D 31 of the Social Security Act, provides for a voluntary prescription drug discount card program for Medicare beneficiaries entitled to benefits, or enrolled, under Part A or enrolled under Part B, excluding beneficiaries entitled to medical assistance for outpatient prescription drugs under Medicaid, including section 1115 waiver demonstrations. Eligible beneficiaries may access negotiated prices on prescription drugs by enrolling in drug discount card programs offered by Medicareendorsed sponsors.

Eligible beneficiaries may enroll in the Medicare drug discount card program beginning no later than 6 months after the date of enactment of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 and ending December 31, 2005. After December 31, 2005, beneficiaries enrolled in the program may continue to use their drug discount card during a short trans

Medicare Program; The Practicing Physicians Advisory Council's Request for Nominations

Mon, Dec 15 2003 11:00:00 GMT

This notice invites all organizations representing physicians to submit nominees for membership on the Council. There will be several vacancies on the Council as of February 28, 2004.

Medicare Program; Medicare Prescription Drug Discount Card

Mon, Dec 15 2003 11:00:00 GMT

This notice announces our intention to solicit applications from entities seeking a Medicare endorsement of their prescription drug discount card programs under the Prescription Drug and Medicare Improvement Act of 2003. Private sector entities that do business in the United States and meet all of the qualifications provided by CMS may receive a Medicare endorsement to operate a prescription drug discount card program, including the administration of up to $600 in transitional assistance for eligible Medicare beneficiaries. Additionally, Medicare Part C organizations that offer coordinated care plans, and Medicare reasonable cost reimbursement contractors, may qualify for a Medicare endorsement to provide such a discount card program with transitional assistance exclusively to members of one or more of its Medicare managed care plans. The requirements for these endorsements are stated in supplemental packagessolicitations for applicationsthat will be posted on the CMS Web site in December 2003.

SES Performance Review Board

Mon, Dec 15 2003 11:00:00 GMT

Notice is hereby given of the appointment of members of the CMS Senior Executive Service (SES) Performance Review Board.

Compliance Policy Guide Sec. 110.310--``Prior Notice of Imported Food Under the Public Health Security and

Mon, Dec 15 2003 11:00:00 GMT

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the availability of a Compliance Policy Guide (CPG) Sec. 110.310 entitled ``Prior Notice of Imported Food Under the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002.'' The CPG provides written guidance to FDA's and Customs and Border Protection's (CBP's) staff on enforcement of section 307 of the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 (the Bioterrorism Act) and the agency's implementing regulations, which require, beginning on December 12, 2003, prior notice for all food imported or offered for import into the United States.

National Institutes of Health Center Grants

Mon, Dec 15 2003 11:00:00 GMT

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is amending its regulations
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governing center grants to reflect their applicability to several new grant programs, including research on autism, Alzheimer's disease, fragile X disease, and minority health disparities and other types of health disparities.

Recruitment of Sites for Assignment of Corps Personnel

Mon, Dec 15 2003 11:00:00 GMT

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announces that the listing of entities, and their Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) scores, that will receive priority for the assignment of National Health Service Corps (NHSC) personnel (Corps Personnel) for the period July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2004, is posted on the NHSC Web site at http://nhsc.bhpr.hrsa.gov/resources/fedreghpol/. This list specifies which entities are eligible to
receive assignment of Corps members who are participating in the NHSC Scholarship Program; the NHSC Loan Repayment Program; and Corps members who have become Corps members other than pursuant to contractual obligations under the Scholarship or Loan Repayment Programs. Please note that not all vacancies associated with sites on this list will be for Corps members, but could be for individuals serving an ob