Open Meeting

13.2.4.4 - Open Meeting (Rev. 863; Issued: 02-12-19; Effective: 10-03-18; Implementation: 01-08-19) After the proposed LCD is made public, MACs shall hold open meetings to discuss the review of the evidence and the rationale for the proposed LCD(s) with stakeholders in their jurisdiction. The open meeting should endeavor to accommodate some in-person attendance, subject to limitations based on venue. Interested parties (generally those that would be affected by the LCD, including providers, physicians, vendors, manufacturers, beneficiaries, caregivers, etc.) can make presentations of information related to the proposed LCDs. MACs should provide an email address on their contractor website where all interested parties shall submit their presentation materials. However, all formal comments must be submitted in writing to the MAC. Contractors shall remain sensitive to parties that may have an interest in an issue and endeavor to invite them to participate in meetings at which a related LCD is being discussed. In recognition that the efficient use of resources may require several proposed LCDs to be discussed during one meeting, time for presentation by interested parties may be limited. The presentation time shall be equally divided amongst the LCDs discussed at the meeting. Members of the CAC may also attend these open meetings. MACs shall keep a copy of the number of attendees and make a copy available to CMS BFL and COR upon request. MACs shall record (video, audio or both) the Open Meetings and as part of the LCD record, assure the recording is maintained on their contractor website. MACs are required to notify the public about the dates, times, and location for the open meeting. MACs have the option of setting up email listservs to announce this information or may use other education methods to inform the public. The listserv or other method should clearly identify the location, times, dates and telephone/video/on-line conference information for the open meeting to ensure that this information is clearly distinguished from the information for the CAC meetings. MACs shall post the planned agenda for the open meeting a minimum of two weeks prior to the event on their contractor website and will inform the public that the agenda has been posted.