Health Care Financing Administration 7500 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD. 21244-1850

B -- EXPANSION OF MEDICARE PREVENTIVE BENEFITS SOL RFP-98-0012/HDM POC Hugh Murdock, Contract Specialist, 410-786-5146 The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) intends to contract on a sole-source basis with the National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine, for the purchase of services to analyze the expansion or modification of preventive benefits provided to Medicare beneficiaries. The contract will be 14 months, beginning on or before September 30, 1998. The Institute of Medicine shall evaluate the following services: (1) nutrition therapy, including parenteral and enteral nutrition, (2) skin cancer screening, (3) medically necessary dental care, (4) routine patient care costs for beneficiaries enrolled in approved clinical trial programs, and (5) elimination of time limitation for coverage of immunosuppressive drugs for transplant patients. The analysis will assess both the short term and long term benefits, and costs to the Medicare program. Risk factor reduction interventions and genetic assessment in the elderly shall also be assessed to determine the evidence on appropriateness, feasibility and cost-effectiveness. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. A determination not to compete this contract is based on Section 4108 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, which requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to contract with the National Academy of Sciences. Written requests should be submitted to HCFA, Office of Acquisition and Grants, ATTN: Hugh Murdock, Contract Specialist, 7500 Security Blvd., Building C2-21-15, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850. Posted 08/28/98 (I-SN243172). (0240)

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