Contractor Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting fact sheet

CMS’ change request (CR) 10901 changed the purpose of the CAC meetings, expanded the parameters of who can serve as a CAC member, who can attend CAC meetings, and completion of required forms in order to include comments/opinions on any proposed topics.

The following CAC meeting changes occurred under CR 10901:

• The purpose of the CAC meetings is to discuss evidence/literature of a topic.
  • Meetings are not held to discuss an already written proposed (draft) LCD.
  • CAC members’ comments/opinions on the evidence/literature assist our contractor medical directors (CMDs) in determining if a proposed LCD should be developed. 
  • CAC members will serve in an advisory capacity as representatives of their constituency to review the quality of the evidence used in the development of the LCD. 
  • The CAC is used to supplement the MAC’s internal expertise and to ensure an unbiased and contemporary consideration of “state of the art” technology and science.
  • The final decision on all issues rests with the CMDs.
• In addition to physicians, CAC membership parameters expanded to include non-physician healthcare professionals and representatives of medical organizations.
• CR 10901 prohibits us from using CAC member comments or opinions on a proposed topic at CAC meetings unless we have both of the following required completed and signed forms on file:
  • Conflict of interest (COI)
  • Consent to disclose and publish expert opinion
    • First Coast will request updated signed forms annually.
    • CAC members that have not sent us both of the above required forms will be considered non-compliant.
    • Non-compliant CAC members will not receive a meeting invitation and will need to register to attend the meeting as an observer. A survey monkey registration link for observers is published on our website approximately two weeks prior to the meeting.
    • Compliant CAC members will receive an email meeting invitation approximately two weeks prior to the meeting that will include the survey monkey registration link they should use.
  • All meeting registration is handled via survey monkey.
    • After completing the registration form, you will receive a confirmation and calendar invite from WebEx. 
  • WebEx:
    • Accept the WebEx calendar invite to be reminded of the meeting.
    • Connect to WebEx via the link in your calendar invite using the designated password on the invite.
    • Select the "call me" audio option for clearest sound connection during the meeting.
• CAC meetings are open for the public to attend as observers. These meetings are no longer for CAC members only.
• Observers (including CAC members who have not completed their required forms) are not permitted to speak, ask questions, or provide comments/opinions at CAC meetings.
• All CAC members and general public are welcomed to attend the meeting via webinar.
• CAC meetings are recorded and the audio recordings and written transcripts will be published to our website.

Information on CACs can be found in the CMS Internet-Only Manual (IOM) Publication (Pub.) 100-08, Medicare Program Integrity Manual, Chapter 13.