POE Advisory Group Meeting Charter

The Provider Outreach and Education (POE) Advisory Group shall be the primary communications vehicle between the Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, and Ohio provider community and National Government Services, the Medicare Part A Fiscal Intermediary and Medicare Part B Carrier.

By maintaining an ongoing and open working relationship between the provider community and the National Government Services staff, it is hoped that a higher level of trust and credibility will be established to promote more effective communication and better serve the Medicare community.

The primary function of the POE Advisory Group is to assist the carrier and/or fiscal intermediary in the creation, implementation, and review of provider/supplier education strategies and efforts. The POE Advisory Group provides input and feedback on training topics, provider/supplier education materials, and dates and locations of provider/supplier education workshops and events. The group also identifies salient provider/supplier/education issues, and recommends effective means of information dissemination to all appropriate providers and suppliers and their staff. Meetings will also facilitate discussion on current issues.

The POE Advisory Group will accomplish its mission by:

1. establishing and maintaining strong relationships between the members and the intermediary/carrier staff;

2. meeting with the intermediary/carrier at least three times per year;

3. providing the communication tools to facilitate thorough and prompt transfer of information to and from each representative; and

4. coordinating the issues within the provider community to adequately reflect the concerns of the majority.

The purpose of the Provider Outreach and Education Advisory Group is to allow key groups from the Medicare provider community a forum to communicate directly with National Government Services Provider Outreach and Education staff. It is National Government Services’ intent to:

1. promote an atmosphere that facilitates an exchange of ideas and information that serves the best interests of Medicare providers and the Medicare program administration of National Government Services.

2. provide feedback on appropriate educational forums that address various global provider concerns.

3. allow the provider community an opportunity to communicate with National Government Services staff on any areas that may need additional education activities.

4. assist in making the Medicare program more understandable for providers.

5. enhance providers’ understanding of the role and responsibilities of National Government Services as their Medicare carrier/intermediary.

The POE Advisory Group will consist of members that represent key groups from the provider community that represent geographic and/or specialty diversity. One representative from each state medical association and select specialty societies will be asked to participate. Representatives from organizations that represent large groups of providers will also be asked to participate. Representatives from National Government Services will include Provider Outreach and Education staff from each state as well as other National Government Services staff, as necessary. Provider Outreach and Education Advisory Group members are expected to attend meetings in person.

Responsibilities

Provider Members

1. Either your personal attendance or someone that you appoint.

2. Provide information relating to the selection of topics, types, and/or locations for educational forums.

3. Review and comment on information that is communicated by National Government Services.

4. Present ideas and suggestions for ways National Government Services may enhance service to the provider community.

5. Help to develop and maintain provider training materials.

6. Assist National Government Services at training events when available and requested.

National Government Services

1. Take under consideration information, ideas, and suggestions presented by members and provide timely responses.

2. Implement changes, whenever possible and appropriate, based on ideas and suggestions from the group.

3. Present to the group pertinent information related to the Medicare program for review, comment and discussion.

4. Determine educational forums which address the needs identified by National Government Services tracking initiatives, as well as specific informational requests as received.

5. Allow the provider community an opportunity to communicate with National Government Services staff on any areas that may need additional education.

6. Assist in making the Medicare program more understandable to providers.

7. Enhance providers’ understanding of the role and responsibilities of National Government Services as their carrier/fiscal intermediary.

Operational Protocol

Meetings will be organized by National Government Services and held at least three times per year. The meetings will be held throughout the National Government Services contract area.

The Provider Outreach and Education Advisory Group coordinator will send an e-mail reminding all members of the meeting as least two weeks prior to the meeting date. This reminder will include the date, location, and directions to the meeting site.

Materials that will be reviewed at the meeting will be provided via e-mail to members at least two weeks prior to the meeting date. Members will be expected to provide feedback on those materials at the meeting.

Meeting minutes will be kept by National Government Services staff and will be posted to the National Government Services Web site within seven business days of the meeting.

All travel and related expenses of POE Advisory Group members are the sole responsibility of the members.