[Federal Register: February 2, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 23)]
[Notices]
[Page 8806-8807]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02fe01-70]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Health Care Financing Administration
[Document Identifier: HCFA-10030]
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request
AGENCY: Health Care Financing Administration, DHHS.
In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Health Care Financing
Administration (HCFA), Department of Health and Human Services, 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.
Type of Information Collection Request: New Collection; Title of
Information Collection: National Medicare Practitioner and Provider
Survey; Form No.: HCFA-10030 (OMB# 0938-NEW); Use: 1. Health Care
Financing Administration (HCFA) Program Safeguard Provider Education
Project (Contract # 500-99-0013, Task Order 00001)--New
HCFA is conducting a national assessment of Medicare practitioner
and provider (hereinafter referred to collectively as providers)
educational needs. The purpose of the needs assessment is to obtain
information about the education or training related to Medicare claims
submission that is required by providers to increase their rate of
correct first-time submission of Medicare claims. Specifically, the
needs assessment survey will seek information about: (1) What providers
need to know about accurate claims submission, and (2) what they
believe would be the best methods for obtaining that information.
Responses will be gathered from a random sample of fee-for-service
providers representing both Medicare Part A (hospital-based outpatient
clinics, emergency rooms, and ambulatory surgery units; home health
care agencies; and skilled nursing facilities) and Medicare Part B
(physician and non-physician) providers. The information gathered by
the needs assessment survey will allow HCFA to develop effective
education and training tools and resources that address identified
provider needs and focus on the topics that providers indicated were
most important for improving accuracy of claims submissions.
The needs assessment survey will be administered one time only. It
will be mailed to 9,000 individual and organizational providers
nationwide that render Medicare services. HCFA anticipates receiving
approximately 7,200 responses. As an alternative to completing the
paper survey, respondents will have the option of completing the survey
electronically using a computer with an Internet connection. A toll-
free telephone line will be available to respondents who have questions
or need help completing the survey. HCFA is collaborating with national
and State medical societies and organizations to make providers aware
of the survey and the importance of their participation in the needs
assessment process. Publicity about the survey prior to its
dissemination, along with a follow-up mail reminder and conduct of
follow-up phone calls to respondents after its dissemination, will
increase the survey response rate. Burden estimates are as follows:
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Estimated Number of Average burden/
Respondents Number of responses per response (in
respondents respondent hours)
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Survey....................................................... 7,200 1 \1/2\
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[[Page 8807]]
Total Burden: 3,600 hours (at \1/2\ hour each).
Total Cost to Respondents: $396,000 ($55 per respondent at an
estimated $110 hourly salary).
As a part of the Medicare Integrity Program (MIP), HCFA is seeking
to increase the incidence of correct Medicare claims submitted by
health care providers. Reduction of incorrect claims will reduce the
administrative costs associated with review, return, and correction of
claims prior to reimbursement and will increase the ability to make
timely payments to providers. By making effective education and
training resources available, HCFA will help providers improve their
correct submission rates. Results of this survey will provide a sound
foundation for the development of those resources.;
Frequency: Other: One-time only; Affected Public: Business or other
for-profit; Number of Respondents: 9,000; Total Annual Responses:
9,000; Total Annual Hours: 3,600.
To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms
for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access HCFA's
Web Site address at http://www.hcfa.gov/regs/prdact95.htm, or E-mail
your request, including your address, phone number, OMB number, and
HCFA document identifier, to MKlein@hcfa.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 HCFA Paperwork Clearance
Officer designated at the following address: HCFA, Office of
Information Services, Security and Standards Group, Division of HCFA
Enterprise Standards, Attention: Dawn Willinghan, HCFA-10030, Room N2-
14-26, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850.
Dated: January 23, 2001.
John P. Burke III,
HCFA Reports Clearance Officer, HCFA Office of Information Services,
Security and Standards Group, Division of HCFA Enterprise Standards.
[FR Doc. 01-2798 Filed 2-1-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-03-P