[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 49 (Friday, March 13, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 12476]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-6455]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration
[Document Identifier: HCFA-R-231 (OMB #0938-New)]


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. In particular, emergency approval is necessary to ensure 
provider sponsored organizations (PSOs) are given an adequate 
opportunity to provide the information necessary to receive a 
Medicare+Choice contract, as provided by Section 1855(a) of the Social 
Security Act (as amended by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997) by the 
beginning of the 1999 contract year. We currently estimate that it will 
take ten months to: (1) Review and approve the waiver request, (2) 
review and approve the PSO contract application, and (3) prepare HCFA's 
information systems for individual PSOs prior to the 1999 contract 
year. Since the collection of waiver information requested in this form 
is the first step in this process, we need to begin receiving this 
information by no later than April 1, 1998.
    Therefore, HCFA is requesting OMB review and approval of this 
collection by 03/27/98, with a 180-day approval period. Written 
comments and recommendations will be accepted from the public if 
received by the individuals designated below by 03/26/98. 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: Medicare+Choice (M+C) Provider 
Sponsored Organization (PSO) Waiver Request Form.
    Form Number: HCFA-R-231.
    Use: The PSO waiver request form is for use by PSO's that do not 
have a state risk-bearing entity licence and that wish to enter into an 
M+C contract with HCFA to provide prepaid health care services to 
eligible Medicare beneficiaries. HCFA will use the information 
requested on this form to determine whether the applicant is eligible 
for a waiver of the state licensure requirement for M+C organizations 
as allowed under section 1855(a)(2) of the Social Security Act.
    Frequency: One-time.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, not-for-profit 
institutions, and Federal Government.
    Annual Number of Respondents: 30.
    Total Annual Responses: 30.
    Total Annual Hours Requested: 300.
    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, and HCFA form 
number, 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 03/26/98:

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-R-231
      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: March 4, 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. 98-6455 Filed 3-12-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-03-P