[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 41 (Wednesday, March 3, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 10306]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-5221]



[[Page 10306]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration
[Document Identifier: HCFA-0301, HCFA-2567, and HCFA-R-0275]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

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.
    1. Type of Information Collection Request: Extension of a currently 
approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Certification of 
Medicaid Eligibility Quality Control (MEQC) Payment Error Rates and 
Supporting Regulations in 42 CFR 431.800 through 431.865; Form No.: 
HCFA-0301 (OMB# 0938-0246); Use: MEQC is operated by the State title 
XIX agency to monitor and improve the administration of its Medicaid 
system. The MEQC system is based on State reviews of Medicaid 
beneficiaries from the eligibility files. The reviews are used to 
assess beneficiary liability, if any, and to determine the amounts paid 
to provide Medicaid services for these cases.; Frequency: Semi-
annually; Affected Public: State, Local or Tribal Government; Number of 
Respondents: 51; Total Annual Responses: 102; Total Annual Hours: 
22,515.
    2. Type of Information Collection Request: Extension of a currently 
approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Statement of 
Deficiencies and Plan of Correction and Supporting Regulations in 42 
CFR 488.18, 488.26, and 488.28; Form No.: HCFA-2567 (OMB#  0938-0391); 
Use: This Paperwork package provides information regarding the form 
used by the Medicare, Medicaid, and the Clinical Laboratory Improvement 
Amendments (CLIA) programs to document a health care facility's 
compliance or noncompliance (deficiencies) with regard to the Medicare/
Medicaid Conditions of Participation and Coverage, the requirements for 
participation for Skilled Nursing Facilities and Nursing Facilities, 
and for certification under CLIA. This form becomes the basis for both 
public disclosure of information and HCFA certification decisions 
(including termination or denial of participation).; Frequency: 
Biennially and Annually; Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, 
Not-for-profit institutions, Federal Government, and State, Local or 
Tribal Government; Number of Respondents: 60,000; Total Annual 
Responses: 60,000; Total Annual Hours: 120,000.
    3. Type of Information Collection Request: New collection; Title of 
Information Collection: Peer Review Evaluation of Access to and Quality 
of Home Oxygen Equipment; Form No.: HCFA-R-0275 (OMB#  0938-new); Use: 
The Balanced Budget Act (BBA) of 1997 reduced payment allowances for 
home oxygen by 25 percent effective January 1, 1998 and an additional 
five percent effective January 1, 1999. As a result of these fee 
schedule reductions, the BBA requires a study be made of issues 
relating to home oxygen equipment. The study's primary objectives are: 
to evaluate any changes in access to, and quality of, home oxygen 
equipment provided to Medicare beneficiaries as a result of the fee 
schedule reduction; and describe current physician practices in 
ordering and prescribing home oxygen services.; Frequency: One time 
only; Affected Public: Individuals or households, Business or other 
for-profit, and Not-for-profit institutions; Number of Respondents: 
2,500; Total Annual Responses: 2,500; Total Annual Hours: 787.
    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. Written comments and 
recommendations for the proposed information collections must be mailed 
within 60 days of this notice directly to the HCFA Paperwork Clearance 
Officer designated at the following address:
    HCFA, Office of Information Services, Security and Standards Group, 
Division of HCFA Enterprise Standards, Attention: Louis Blank, Room N2-
14-26, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850.

    Dated: February 23, 1999.
John P. Burke III,
HCFA Reports Clearance Officer, HCFA Office of Information Services, 
Security and Standards Group, Division of HCFA Enterprise Standards.
[FR Doc. 99-5221 Filed 3-2-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-03-P