Agency information collection activities; proposals, submissions, and approvals,

[Federal Register: April 4, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 63)]

[Notices]

[Page 17093-17094]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr04ap05-88]

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-10140, CMS-460, CMS-R-65]

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, HHS.

In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is publishing the following summary of proposed collections for public comment. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including any of the following subjects: (1) The necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the agency's functions; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology to minimize the information collection burden.

1. Type of Information Collection Request: New Collection; Title of Information Collection: Claims Error Rate Testing (CERT)/Electronic Medical Records Exploratory Survey; Form No.: CMS-10140 (OMB 0938-NEW); Use: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is using a private vendor to conduct market research to assess the value of electronic patient medical records relative to the Claims Error Rate Testing (CERT) program and determine what actions CMS can take to encourage the use of electronic records for the purpose of lowering the CERT error rate. The proposed effort will test the hypothesis that increased functionality of electronic records (meaning, greater connectivity and features), is associated with lower CERT error rates related to coding, non-response and incomplete documentation. The project is expected to assist CMS in identifying a strategy to improve the CERT claims error rate by developing an approach that would both facilitate and encourage the use of electronic patient medical records in the health care setting. This research focuses on physician practices, outpatient hospitals, durable medical equipment (DME) providers and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) that have been

   [[Page 17094]]

   randomly sampled as part of the CERT process; Frequency: On occasion; Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Number of Respondents: 1600; Total Annual Responses: 1600; Total Annual Hours: 454.

2. Type of Information Collection Request: Extension of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Medicare Participating Physician or Supplier Agreement; Form No.: CMS-460 (OMB0938-0373); Use: Form number CMS-460 is completed by nonparticipating physicians and suppliers if they choose to participate in Medicare Part B. By signing the agreement, the physician or supplier agrees to take assignment on all Medicare claims. To take assignment means to accept the Medicare allowed amount as payment in full for the services they furnish and to charge the beneficiary no more than the deductible and coinsurance for the covered service. In exchange for signing the agreement, the physician or supplier receives a significant number of program benefits not available to nonparticipating suppliers. The information associated with this collection is needed to identify the recipients of the program benefits; Frequency: Other--when starting a new business; Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Number of Respondents: 6000; Total Annual Responses: 6000; Total Annual Hours: 1500.

3. Type of Information Collection Request: Extension of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Information Collection Requirements in Final Peer Review Organization Regulations, 42 CFR Sections 1004.40, 1004.50, 1004.60, 1004.70; Form No.: CMS-R-65 (OMB0938-0444); Use: This final rule updates the procedures governing the imposition and adjudication of program sanctions predicated on the recommendations of Peer Review Organizations (PROs). These changes are being made as a result of statutory revisions designed to address health care fraud and abuse issues in the OIG sanction process. The Peer Review Improvement Act of 1982 amended Title XI of the Social Security Act, creating the Utilization and Quality Control Peer Review Organization program. Section 1156 of the Social Security Act imposes obligations on health care practitioners and other persons who furnish or order services or items under Medicare. This section also provides for sanction actions, if the Secretary determines that the obligations as stated by this section are not met. Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs) are responsible for identifying violations. QIOs may allow practitioners or other persons, opportunities to submit relevant information before determining that a violation has occurred. These requirements are used by the QIOs to collect the information necessary to make their determinations; Frequency: On occasion; Affected Public: Not-for-profit institutions; Number of Respondents: 53; Total Annual Responses: 1060; Total Annual Hours: 22,684.

   To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access CMS' Web site address at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/regulations/pra/, or e-mail

   your request, including your address, phone number, OMB number, and CMS document identifier, to Paperwork@cms.hhs.gov, or call the Reports Clearance Office on (410) 786-1326.

   Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collections must be mailed within 60 days of this notice directly to the CMS Paperwork Reduction Act Reports Clearance Officer designated at the address below:

   CMS, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs, Division of Regulations Development, Attention: William N. Parham, III, Room C5-13-27, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850.

   Dated: March 24, 2005. John P. Burke, III, CMS Paperwork Reduction Act Reports Clearance Officer, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs, Regulations Development Group.

   [FR Doc. 05-6533 Filed 4-1-05; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 4120-01-P