CMS has announced it is convening a Special Needs Plan Chronic Condition Panel to determine the conditions that meet the definition of severe or disabling chronic conditions under MIPPA. CMS will accept comments until October 8, 2008 on the criteria the panel could use for selecting conditions. CMS held a special open door forum to discuss the Panel on September 10, 2008; an audio recording of the event will be available for 30 days beginning September 17.