[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 187 (Tuesday, September 26, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57821-57822]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-24802]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration

[Document Identifier: HCFA-R-0296]


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. 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 section 1895(a) 
of the Social Security Act, which requires us to implement the 
prospective payment system by October 1; the notice for which we are 
requesting approval must be ready to be disclosed, in accordance with 
section 1879 of the Act, at the same

[[Page 57822]]

time. We cannot reasonably comply with the normal clearance procedures 
because of the statutory deadline.
    HCFA is requesting emergency OMB review and approval of this 
collection by October 12, 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 October 11, 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 Request: Revision of a currently approved 
collection.
    Title of Information Collection: Home Health Advanced Beneficiary 
Notices of Liability.
    HCFA Form Number: HCFA-R-0296 (OMB approval #: 0938-0781).
    Use: Home health agencies must provide proper written notice to 
Medicare beneficiaries in advance of furnishing what the agencies 
believe to be noncovered care or of reducing or terminating ongoing 
care. Beneficiaries have, and will continue to have a right to obtain a 
Medicare initial determination through the demand bill process, with 
all attendant appeal rights.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Affected Public: Not-for-profit institutions, Business or other 
for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 8,200.
    Total Annual Responses: 180,000.
    Total Annual Burden Hours: 30,000.
    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, 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 [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 October 11, 2000.
    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: Julie Brown HCFA-R-296 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: Wendy 
Taylor, HCFA Desk Officer.

    Dated: September 22, 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. 00-24802 Filed 9-22-00; 2:32 pm]
BILLING CODE 4120-03-P