[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 29 (Thursday, February 12, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7175-7176]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-3591]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration
[Document Identifier: HCFA-R-227]


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

AGENCY: Health Care Financing Administration.
    In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 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

[[Page 7176]]

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 before the 
expiration of the normal time limits under OMB's regulations at 5 CFR, 
Part 1320. We are requesting emergency clearance so that we can meet 
the requirements under the Balanced Budget Act (BBA) (section 1851 (d)) 
which mandates that HCFA provide comparable information between managed 
care and Fee For Service (FFS) regarding quality.
    HCFA is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by 
03/2/98, with a 180-day approval period. Written comments and 
recommendations will be accepted from the public if received by the 
individuals designated below by 02/27/98. 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 Request: New collection.
    Title of Information Collection: Research and Analytic Support for 
implementing Performance Measurement in Fee for Service (FFS).
    Form Number: HCFA-R-227 (OMB approval #: 0938-NEW).
    Use: As required by the Balanced Budget Act Section 1851 (d) (BBA), 
HCFA needs to develop comparable performance measures for FFS Medicare 
and group practices. This project will enable HCFA to evaluate the 
effectiveness and outcomes of FFS services purchased. This survey 
builds on a well established instrument called the SF-36 
(1992 Medical Outcomes Trust) to determine health related 
quality of life. It is a self administered survey that is completed by 
the beneficiary. We will be looking at whether the beneficiary's health 
has improved, stayed the same, or deteriorated over a 2 year period of 
time compared to their expected health status. It will be risk-adjusted 
(e.g., for socioeconomic status, age, gender, and other health 
conditions).
    The identical instrument is being used in managed care. The Health 
of Seniors survey will gather the same information about the health 
status of beneficiaries in FFS as is being collected in managed care. 
The 1998 survey will provide baseline measurement, (like what is being 
collected in managed care) to determine whether the beneficiaries' 
health has improved, stayed the same, or deteriorated over a 2 year 
period of time compared to their expected health status. HCFA may 
potentially disseminate this information to Medicare beneficiaries so 
that they may make informed health care choices.
    Frequency: Biennially
    Affected Public: Individuals or Households, Business or other for-
profit , Not-for-profit, Farms, Federal government and, State, Local or 
Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 3,800.
    Total Annual Responses: 3,800.
    Total Annual Hours Requested: 1,600.
    To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms 
for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, E-mail your 
request, including your address, phone number, and HCFA form number(s) 
referenced above, to P[email protected], 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 02/27/98:

Health Care Financing Administration, Office of Information Services, 
Information Technology Investment Management Group, Division of HCFA 
Enterprise Standards, Room C2-26-17, 7500 Security Boulevard, 
Baltimore, MD 21244-1850, Fax Number: (410) 786-1415,
    Attn: John Rudolph HCFA-R-227

      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: February 6, 1998.
John P. Burke III,
HCFA Reports Clearance Officer, HCFA, Office of Information Services, 
Information Technology Investment Management Group, Division of HCFA 
Enterprise Standards.
[FR Doc. 98-3591 Filed 2-11-98; 8:45 am]
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