[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 43 (Thursday, March 5, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10920-10921]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-5699]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration
[Document Identifier: HCFA-855 (OMB # 0938-0685)]


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 
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. The Agency cannot reasonably comply with the normal 
clearance procedures because of a statutory deadline imposed by the 
Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (P.L. 105-33). Without this information, 
HCFA would not be able to properly implement the requirements set forth 
in the statute. As a note, HCFA has incorporated in this submission all 
public comments submitted to HCFA and OMB, in response to the 12/18/97 
Federal Register notice (Volume 62, Number 243) [Page 66376-66377] 
soliciting comments on these information collection requirements. In 
addition, HCFA has included in this submission

[[Page 10921]]

responses to all public comments received and, as appropriate, revised 
the collection instrument and/or instructions.
    HCFA is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by 
03/24/98, with a 180-day approval period. Written comments and 
recommendations will be accepted from the public if received by the 
individuals designated below by 03/23/98. 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: Revision of a currently approved 
collection.
    Title of Information Collection: Medicare and Other Federal Health 
Care Program Providers/Supplier Enrollment Application.
    Form Number: HCFA-855, HCFA-855C, HCFA-855R, HCFA-855S.
    Use: This information is needed to enroll providers and suppliers 
into the Medicare program by identifying them, and verifying their 
qualifications and eligibility to participate in Medicare, and to price 
and pay their claims.
    Frequency: Initial Enrollment/Recertification.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, Individuals or 
Households, Not-for-profit institutions, and Federal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 225,000.
    Total Annual Responses: 225,000.
    Total Annual Hours Requested: 435,000.
    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, OMB number, and 
HCFA document identifier, 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 03/23/98:

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 Burke 
HCFA-855 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 26, 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. 98-5699 Filed 3-4-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-03-P