WPS Medicare Provider Part A - Education - POE Advisory Groups and Minutes

POE Advisory Groups and Minutes

WPS - Medicare must maintain a Provider Outreach and Education (POE) Advisory Group as directed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Currently, we have four POE Advisory groups across the country, Northeast, Southeast, Central and West.

What is the primary function of the POE Advisory group?

These groups assist Medicare contractors in the creation, implementation and review of contractor provider education strategies and efforts. They provide input and feedback on training topics, provider education materials, and dates and locations of provider education workshops and events. We will consider the suggestions and recommendations of the POE Advisory group members, and implement or enact them if deemed reasonable, practicable and within the Provider Communications program requirements and budget constraints. We will provide updates and facilitate discussion on current issues, however the focus of the group meetings will remain centered on the development and implementation of effective provider communication materials and strategies.

Who can belong to these groups?

WPS - Medicare is responsible for recruiting potential members. Members should include representatives of various provider specialties including state and local trade and professional associations, practicing providers or staff members and representatives of billing organizations.

When and where are the meetings held?

These groups convene quarterly and can be held in-person or via teleconferencing. CMS recommends that contractors hold at least one meeting per calendar year with group members in person. Teleconferencing will be made available to Advisory Group members who cannot be present for in-person meetings. The members of the group drive the locations of the meetings.

If I am not part of one of these groups, how can I learn more about what is going on during these meetings?

WPS - Medicare is responsible for arranging all meetings, handling meeting logistics, producing and distributing an agenda, completing and distributing minutes, and keeping adequate records of the advisory group's proceedings. The minutes will be regularly made available on our web site and will include a list of organizations or entities comprising the POE Advisory group. Please feel free to contact the WPS Field Representative leading the POE Advisory group if you have any questions or would like to participate.

Upcoming Fiscal Year 2009 POE Advisory Group Meeting Schedule