[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 121 (Thursday, June 22, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38836-38837]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-15800]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration

[Document Identifier: HCFA-10008]


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 prior to 
the expiration of the normal time limits under OMB's regulations at 5 
CFR part 1320. This collection of information will be used to determine 
items eligible for payment as new technology within the ambulatory 
payment classification (APC) system as well as items eligible for the 
transitional pass-through payment provision as required by section 201 
of the BBRA. Without this information, HCFA would be unable to 
determine eligible items for transitional pass-through or new 
technology payments; therefore being unable to make additional payments 
to hospitals for a period of 2 to 3 years as required by the BBRA of 
1999. The Agency cannot reasonably comply with the normal clearance 
procedures because of a statutory deadline imposed by the Balanced 
Budget Refinement Act of 1999 (Section 201(b)). Without this 
information, HCFA would not be able to properly implement the 
requirements set forth in the statute.
    HCFA is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by 
July 6, 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 July 3, 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: New Collection;
    Title of Information Collection: Recognition of New Technology/
Pass-Through Items Under the Prospective Payment System for Hospital 
Outpatient Services;
    Form No.: HCFA-10008 (OMB# 0938-NEW);
    Use: This information is necessary to determine items eligible for 
payment as new technology within the ambulatory payment classification 
(APC) system as well as items eligible for the transitional pass-
through payment provision as required by section 201 of the BBRA. This 
collection will enable HCFA to implement those special payment 
provisions.;
    Frequency: On Occasion;
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit;
    Number of Respondents: 500;
    Total Annual Responses: 500;
    Total Annual Hours: 1,500.
    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

[[Page 38837]]

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 July 3, 2000:

Health Care Financing Administration, Office of Information Services, 
Security and Standards Group, Division of HCFA Enterprise Standards, 
Attention: Dawn Willinghan (HCFA-10008), 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: June 15, 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. 00-15800 Filed 6-21-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-03-P