[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 32 (Thursday, February 15, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6016-6017]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-3433]



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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Information Collection Requirements Submitted for Public Comment: 
Submission for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Review

AGENCY: Health Care Financing Administration, HHS.
    In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et 
seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection 
Requirement abstracted below has been submitted to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. Because of the many 
concerns raised by both suppliers and physicians during this review 
process, HCFA has made several changes to the forms used to collect 
this 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 budget.
    1. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a Currently 
Approved Collection; Title of Information Collection: Durable Medical 
Equipment Regional Carrier, Certificate of Medical Necessity; Form No.: 
HCFA-R-182; Use: A Certificate of Medical Necessity is a standardized 
format used to communicate information provide by an attending 
physician and a supplier of medical equipment and supplies. The 
information is used by carriers to determine the medical necessity of 
an item or service covered by the Medicare program and being used for 
the treatment of the Medicare beneficiary's condition. The CMNs 
currently under OMB review are necessary in order for HCFA to determine 
the medical necessity of the item or service. The information needed to 
make this determination requires application of medical judgment that 
can only be provided by a physician or other clinician who is familiar 
with the condition of the beneficiary. Frequency: On Occasion; Affected 
Public: Suppliers and Physicians, Business or other for profit, Federal 
Government; Number of Respondents: 140,000; Total Annual Responses: 6.8 
million; Total Annual Hours Requested: 1.7 million.
    The Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting 
comments on this collection of information was published on October 13, 
1995. To request copies of the proposed paperwork collection referenced 
above, call the Reports Clearance Office on (410) 786-1326. Written 
comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection 
should be sent before March 9, 1996, 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.


[[Page 6017]]

    Dated: February 8, 1996.
Kathleen B. Larson,
Director Management Planning and Analysis Staff.
[FR Doc. 96-3433 Filed 2-14-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-03-P