[Federal Register: November 17, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 222)]
[Notices]
[Page 66954]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17no06-57]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
[Document Identifier: CMS-R-246]
Emergency Clearance: Public Information Collection Requirements
Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
AGENCY: Centers for Medicare and 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 and Medicaid
Services (CMS), 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 requesting an emergency review of the information collection
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 before the expiration of the
normal time limits under OMB's regulations at 5 CFR part 1320. This is
necessary to ensure compliance with an initiative of the
Administration. We cannot reasonably comply with the normal clearance
procedures because the use of normal clearance procedures is reasonably
likely to cause a statutory deadline to be missed.
The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act
(MMA) of 2003 under section 1860D-4 (Information to Facilitate
Enrollment) requires CMS to conduct consumer satisfaction surveys
regarding the prescription drug plan or the Medicare Advantage
prescription drug plan pursuant to section 1860D-4(d) and report the
results to Part D eligible individuals at least 30 days prior to the
enrollment period. This revised collection adds new Prescription Drug
Plan questions as mandated in the MMA. Approval for this request will
ensure that CMS is able to conduct the revised Medicare Consumer
Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) surveys in time
to publicly report the data for the open enrollment period in Fall of
2007.
1. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently
approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Medicare CAHPS
Survey; Form Number: CMS-R-246 (OMB: 0938-0732); Use: The
collection of CAHPS measures is necessary to hold health and
prescription drug plans accountable for the quality of care and
services they deliver. This requirement will allow CMS to obtain
information for the proper oversight of the program. This information
is used to help beneficiaries choose among plans, contribute to
improved quality of care through identification of quality improvement
opportunities, and assist CMS in carrying out its responsibilities;
Frequency: Reporting--Annually; Affected Public: Individuals or
households; Number of Respondents: 600,000; Total Annual Responses:
600,000; Total Annual Hours: 198,000.
CMS is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by
December 18, 2006, with a 180-day approval period. Written comments and
recommendations will be considered from the public if received by the
individuals designated below by December 4, 2006.
To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms
for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access CMS's
Web Site address at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PaperworkReductionActof1995
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.
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 December 4, 2006: Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services, Office of Strategic Operations and
Regulatory Affairs, Room C4-26-05, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore,
MD 21244-1850, Attn: Bonnie L Harkless. and, OMB Human Resources and
Housing Branch, Attention: Carolyn Lovett, New Executive Office
Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, Fax Number: (202) 395-6974.
Dated: November 7, 2006.
Michelle Shortt,
Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic Operations
and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. E6-19133 Filed 11-16-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P