[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 146 (Friday, July 30, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 41445]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-19483]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration
[Document Identifier: HCFA-R-0282]


Emergency Clearance: Public Information Collection Requirements 
Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

AGENCY: Health Care Financing Administration.
    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 the collection of this information is needed before the 
expiration of the normal time limits under OMB's regulations at 5 CFR, 
Part 1320. This is necessary to ensure compliance with Sec. 1852(c) of 
the Social Security Act and Secs. 422.64, 422.111 and 422.560--422.622 
of the CFR. We cannot reasonably comply with the normal clearance 
procedures because all beneficiaries who are eligible to elect M+C 
plans have had a legal right to receive appeals and grievance 
information from M+C organizations as of 1/1/99. If the agency does not 
provide formal guidance to M+C organizations, then it will be difficult 
for M+C organizations to operationalize the statutory and regulatory 
requirements. Furthermore, beneficiaries may be harmed by receiving 
inconsistent information across M+C organizations.
    HCFA is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by 
August 10, 1999, with a 180-day approval period. Written comments and 
recommendations will be accepted from the public if received by the 
individuals designated below by August 9, 1999. 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) 
Organization Appeals and Grievance Data Collection and Reporting 
Requirements and Supporting Regulations in 42 CFR 422.64, 422.111, and 
422.560-422.622.
    HCFA Form Number: HCFA-R-0282 (OMB approval #: 0938-NEW).
    Use: These information collection pertains to the aggregate number 
and disposition of grievances and appeals by M+C organizations. Both 
the Balanced Budget Act (BBA) of 1997 and the Government Performance 
and Results Act (GPRA) of 1993 establish a need for HCFA to set and 
monitor performance standards in the area of appeals. The purpose is to 
hold M+C organizations accountable to regulators and consumers, as well 
as promote informed choice.
    Frequency: Semi-annually.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit and Individuals or 
Households.
    Number of Respondents: 331.
    Total Annual Responses: 662.
    Total Annual Burden Hours: 662.
    We have submitted a copy of this notice to OMB for its review of 
these information collections. A notice will be published in the 
Federal Register when approval is obtained.
    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.
    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 August 9, 1999:

Health Care Financing Administration, Office of Information Services, 
Security and Standards Group, Division of HCFA Enterprise Standards, 
Room N2-14-26, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850. Fax 
Number: (410) 786-0262 Attn: Louis Blank HCFA-R-0282
      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: July 22, 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. 99-19483 Filed 7-29-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-03-P