[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 86 (Wednesday, May 3, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 25738]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-11038]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration

[Document Identifier: HCFA-R-246]


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. Due to the unanticipated event of 
the settlement agreement for the Grijalva court case requiring HCFA to 
revise the current instrument, and because the collection of this 
information is needed prior to the expiration of the normal time limits 
under OMB's regulations at 5 CFR Part 1320, we are requesting emergency 
review. The Agency cannot reasonably comply with the normal clearance 
procedures because public harm is likely to result due to the 
possibility of the Medicare program being unable to provide the 
necessary mandated information on whether Medicare+Choice organizations 
are meeting their notice and appeal requirements. Additional questions 
have been added to the survey that address the following: enrollee 
knowledge about appeal rights and the appeals process; whether the 
enrollee ever was denied care; whether the enrollee was given written 
notice of the right to file a formal complaint; and whether the 
enrollee ever filed a complaint with his/her Medicare+Choice 
organization.
    HCFA is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by 
July 3, 2000, with a 180-day approval period. Written comments and 
recommendations will be accepted from the public if received by the 
individuals designated below by June 28, 2000. 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: Revision of a currently 
approved collection;
    Title of Information Collection: The Medicare Managed Care CAHPS 
Survey and Supporting Regulations in 42 CFR 417.126 and 417.470;
    Form No.: HCFA-R-246 (OMB #0938-0732);
    Use: The CAHPS data is necessary to hold the Medicare managed care 
industry accountable for the quality of care they are delivering. It is 
critical to HCFA's mission that we collect and disseminate information 
that will help beneficiaries choose among plans, contribute to improved 
quality of care through identification of quality improvement 
opportunities, and assist HCFA in carrying out its responsibilities;
    Frequency: On occasion;
    Affected Public: Individuals or households, business or other for-
profit, and not-for-profit institutions;
    Number of Respondents: 204,000;
    Total Annual Responses: 204,000;
    Total Annual Hours: 67,320.
    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 
[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 June 28, 2000:

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: April 24, 2000.
John P. Burke III,
HCFA Reports Clearance Officer, HCFA Office of Information Services, 
Security and Standards Group, Division of HCFA Enterprise Standards.
[FR Doc. 00-11038 Filed 5-2-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-03-P