[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 208 (Thursday, October 26, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 64229]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-27626]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration

[Document Identifier: HCFA-10019]


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 1847 of 
the Social Security Act. We cannot reasonably comply with the normal 
clearance procedures because public harm would result. In order to 
determine the best way to let competitve bids to the most efficient/
effective bidder and as soon as possible, we must conduct the 
demonstration on as recent data as possible; we also need the data as 
soon as possible in order to include our findings in a report to 
Congress in January 2002.
    HCFA is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by 
November 21, 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 November 21, 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: New collection; Title of Information Collection: Durable 
Medical Equipment and Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) 
Supplier Survey; HCFA Form Number: HCFA-10019 (OMB approval #: 0938-
NEW); Use: This survey is necessary to collect access, quality, and 
financial performance information from suppliers of durable medical 
equipment (hospital beds, oxygen, urologic supplies, enteral nutrition, 
or wound care). The information will be presented to HCFA and to 
Congress, who will use the results to determine whether the 
demonstration should be extended to other sites; Frequency: Once; 
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Number of Respondents: 
340; Total Annual Responses: 340; Total Annual Burden Hours: 620.
    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 November 20, 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 
10019

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: October 21, 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. 00-27626 Filed 10-24-00; 12:28 pm]
BILLING CODE 4120-03-P