[Federal Register: May 13, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 92)] [Notices] [Page 25891] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr13my99-61] [[Page 25891]] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Health Care Financing Administration [Document Identifier: HCFA-R-264, A-G] Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request 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, has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) the following proposal for the collection of information. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the 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: Revision of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Demonstration; Form No.: HCFA-R-0264, A-G; Use: Section 4319 of the Balanced Budget Act (BBA) mandates HCFA to implement demonstration projects under which competitive acquisition areas are established for contract award purposes for the furnishing of Part B items and services, except for physician's services. The first of these demonstration projects implements competitive bidding of categories of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS). Under the law, suppliers can receive payments from Medicare for items and services covered by the demonstration only if their bids are competitive in terms of quality and price. Each demonstration project may be conducted in up to three metropolitan areas for a three year period. Authority for the demonstration expires on December 31, 2002. The schedule for the demonstration anticipates about a six month period required between mailing the bidding forms to potential bidders and the start of payments for DMEPOS under the demonstration. HCFA intends to operate the demonstration in two rounds, the first of two years, and the second of one year. HCFA has announced that it intends to operate its first demonstration in Polk County, Florida, which is the Lakeland-Winter Haven Metropolitan Area. There are seven forms that are required for the demonstration. Form HCFA-R-0264A, will be filled out by suppliers to describe the attributes of their organization, including quality of services and financial data. Form HCFA-R-0264B will be filled out by suppliers for each of the categories of DMEPOS for which they bid, and includes information about their supply of that category of equipment or supplies, and the prices that they bid for each item in that category. Form HCFA-R-0264C will be used by site inspectors who gather information at the facilities of bidders. Form HCFA-R-0264D is used to gather data from bank or financial references for the bidding suppliers. Form HCFA-R-0264E is used to gather data from business referral sources for the bidding suppliers. HCFA-R-0264F is used by suppliers whose bids are in the competitive range to report financial data. Form HCFA-R-0264G has been added to meet public comments so that nursing homes that wish to continue to use their existing suppliers for the demonstration product categories may report that information. The competitive bidding demonstration for DMEPOS has the following objectives: Test the policies and implementation methods of competitive bidding to determine whether or not is should be expanded as a Medicare Program. Reduce the price that Medicare pays for medical equipment and supplies. Limit beneficiary out-of-pocket expenditures for copayments. Improve beneficiary access to high quality medical equipment and supplies. Prevent business transactions with suppliers who engage in fraudulent practices. HCFA plans to mail the bidding package, including the referenced forms A and B, to potential bidders at the first demonstration sites in Polk County, Florida on February 12, 1999, and to request bidder submissions by March 29, 1999. Forms C, D, E and F will be used for inspections, reference checking, and financial information gathering in the three months following the bid submissions. These forms will be used by HCFA or its agents to gather information regarding bidders who have made financially attractive bids and are being evaluated for quality, financial stability, and other attributes for consideration as demonstration suppliers. Frequency: Two times at each demonstration site; Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, and not-for-profit institutions; Number of Respondents: 2,060; Total Annual Responses: 2,060; Total Annual Hours: 24,795. To obtain copies of the supporting statement 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 and phone number, to Paperwork@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 30 days of this notice directly to the OMB Desk Officer designated at the following address: OMB Human Resources and Housing Branch, Attention: Allison Eydt, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, D.C. 20503. Dated: April 26, 1999. John P. Burke III, HCFA Reports Clearance Officer, HCFA, Office of Information Services, Security and Standards Group, Division of HCFA Enterprise Standards. [FR Doc. 99-12120 Filed 5-12-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4120-03-P