[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 209 (Thursday, October 29, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58058-58059]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-29024]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration
[Document Identifier: HCFA-R-263]


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 
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 we have determined that the information collection 
instrument in question is necessary for our contractor and 
subcontractor to carry out site visits of suppliers of durable medical 
equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, or supplies who wish to bill the 
Medicare program. These site visits are being carried out in accordance 
with an announcement by the President on January 24, 1998, that all 
such suppliers would receive site visits. The visits commenced on June 
1, 1998, and the instrument was developed after we had gained some 
experience with the visits. We are requesting emergency clearance to 
maximize the benefits to be gained from this effort and to avoid 
discontinuity in this important fraud prevention mechanism.
    HCFA is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection 
within eleven working days, with a 180-day approval period. Written 
comments and recommendations will be accepted from the public if 
received by the individuals designated below within ten working days. 
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 Collection Request: New Collection.
    Title of Information Collection: On-Site Inspection for Durable 
Medical Equipment (DME). Supplier Location and Supporting Regulations 
in 42 CFR 424.57.
    Form No.: HCFA-R-263 (OMB# 0938-NEW).
    Use: To identify and implement measures to prevent fraud and abuse 
in the Medicare program. Controlling the entry of suppliers of durable 
medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, or supplies (DMEPOS) to 
Medicare has been identified as one of the most effective ways to 
prevent fraud and abuse. To meet this challenge, HCFA is moving forward 
with a plan to improve the quality of the process for enrolling and 
reenrolling DMEPOS suppliers into the Medicare program by enhancing 
procedures for verifying supplier information collected on the Form 
HCFA 855S (DMEPOS Supplier Enrollment Application, OMB Approval No. 
0938-0685). This form will be used to complete information on DMEPOS 
suppliers' compliance with regulations found in 42 CFR 424.57.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, Not-for-profit 
institutions, and State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 40,000.
    Total Annual Responses: 40,000.
    Total Annual Hours: 20,000.
    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, 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

[[Page 58059]]

referenced below, within ten working days:
Health Care Financing Administration, Office of Information Services, 
Security and Standards Group, Division of HCFA Enterprise Standards, 
Attention: Dawn Willinghan, Room N2-14-26, 7500 Security Boulevard, 
Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850
    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: October 22, 1998.
John P. Burke III,
HCFA Reports Clearance Officer, HCFA Office of Information Services, 
Security and Standards Group, Division of HCFA Enterprise Standards.
[FR Doc. 98-29024 Filed 10-28-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-03-P