[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 13 (Thursday, January 21, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 3305]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-1330]



[[Page 3305]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration
[Document Identifier: HCFA-R-0270]


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 of an unanticipated event and the fact that 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 
order to assess and renovate internal systems and interfaces with 
business partners for Y2K, the Agency cannot reasonably comply with the 
normal clearance procedures. Without this information, HCFA will be 
unable to assess the millennium readiness status of the business 
partners and will be unable to make operational and contracting 
decisions to assure the safety and continuity of health care services 
provided to Medicare beneficiaries, and payments to providers of 
services. This request complies with the procedures for emergency 
clearance of Y2K surveys as outlined in the OMB memo dated 5/26/98.
    HCFA is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection 
within 11 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 10 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 Request: New collection.
    Title of Information Collection: Managed Care organization Year 
2000 Continuity and Contingency Planning (BCCP) Status Report.
    Form Number: HCFA-R-0270.
    Use: This information is needed to determine the status of HCFA's 
business partners millennium readiness.
    Frequency: Monthly.
    Affected Public: Federal Government, Business or other for-profit, 
and Not-for-profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 350.
    Total Annual Responses: 4,200.
    Total Annual Hours Requested: 44,450.
    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. ADD WEB SITE ADDRESS to access S.S.
    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, within 10 working days:

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: Dawn 
Willinghan 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: January 12, 1999.
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. 99-1330 Filed 1-20-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-03-P