[Federal Register: September 10, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 175)]
[Notices]               
[Page 49196-49197]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10se99-119]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration
[Document Identifier: HCFA-R-281]

 
Emergency Clearance: Public Information Collection Requirements 
Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

AGENCY: Health Care Financing Administration, HHS.
    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.
    We are, however, requesting an emergency review of the Information 
collections referenced below. In compliance with the requirement of 
section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we have 
submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) the following 
requirements for emergency review. We are requesting an emergency 
review because the collection of this information is needed prior to 
the expiration of the normal time limits under OMB's regulations at 5 
CFR, Part 1320. The HCFA-R-281 will be used to evaluate the effects of 
the ``Medicare and You Handbook: 2000'' to determine that beneficiaries 
not only received it and are aware of the information, but whether they 
understand the information and are able to use it in making informed 
choices about their Medicare plan. Without this information, HCFA would 
not be able to obtain the information necessary to determine whether 
these goals have been met. The Agency cannot reasonably comply with the 
normal clearance procedures because public harm is likely to result due 
to the possibility of beneficiaries not being properly informed/
educated as to the importance of their Medicare plan choices.
    HCFA is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by 9/
10/99, with a 180-day approval period. Written comments and 
recommendations will be accepted from the public if received by the 
individuals designated below, by 
9/9/99. During this 180-day period, we will publish a separate Federal 
Register notice announcing the initiation of an extensive 60-day agency 
review and public comment period on these requirements. We will submit 
the requirements for OMB review and an extension of this emergency 
approval.
    Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently 
approved collection;
    Title of Information Collection: Survey of Medicare Beneficiaries 
for the National ``Medicare and You Handbook: 2000'' Evaluation;
    Form No.: HCFA-R-281 (OMB #0938-0771);
    Use: As part of the National Medicare Education Program (NMEP), 
HCFA plans a national mailing of the Medicare & You 2000 handbook to 
the entire Medicare population in September 1999. To evaluate the 
effects of the handbook, HCFA needs to know not only that beneficiaries 
received it and are aware of the information, but whether they 
understand the information and are able to use it in

[[Page 49197]]

making informed choices about their Medicare plan.
    To quantify whether these goals have been met, measures of what 
beneficiaries currently know and understand about the Medicare program 
must be established. It is also necessary to compare attitudes and 
behavior of beneficiaries who receive the information to those who do 
not to determine if the print campaign of the NMEP (Medicare & You 
handbook) has been effective.
    This survey will be used to determine the effectiveness of the 
``Medicare and You Handbook: 2000''.;
    Frequency: Other: one time;
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, and Individuals or 
Households;
    Number of Respondents: 4,250;
    Total Annual Responses: 4,250;
    Total Annual Hours: 3,019.
    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, to 
Paperwork@hcfa.gov, or call the Reports Clearance Office on (410) 786-
1326.
    Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the 
burden or any other aspect of these collections of Information 
requirements. However, as noted above, comments on these Information 
collection and recordkeeping requirements must be mailed and/or faxed 
to the designees referenced below, by 9/9/99:

Health Care Financing Administration, Office of Information Services, 
Security and Standards Group, Division of HCFA Enterprise Standards, 
Attention: Dawn Willinghan, Room N2-14-26, 7500 Security Boulevard, 
Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850 and Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, New Executive 
Office Building, Washington, DC 20503, Fax Number: (202) 395-6974 or 
(202) 395-5167, Attn: Allison Herron Eydt, HCFA Desk Officer.

    Dated: August 31, 1999.
John Parmigiani,
Manager, HCFA Office of Information Services, Security and Standards 
Group, Division of HCFA Enterprise Standards.
[FR Doc. 99-23606 Filed 9-9-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-03-P