[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 42 (Monday, March 4, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9743-9744]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-4972]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-R-193]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, HHS.
    In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid 
Services (CMS) (formerly known as 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.
    Type of Information Collection Request: Reinstatement, with change, 
of a previously approved collection for which approval has expired; 
Title of Information Collection: ``Important Message from Medicare'' 
Title XVII Section 1866(a)(1)(M), 42 CFR 466.78, 489.20, 489.34, 
489.27, 411.404, 412.42, 417.440 and Section 422.620; Form No.: CMS-R-
193 (OMB# 0938-0692); Use: Hospital participating in the Medicare 
program have agreed to distribute the ``Important Message from 
Medicare'' to beneficiaries during the course of their hospital stay 
and inform them of their impending charges. Receiving this information 
will provide all Medicare beneficiaries with some ability to 
participate and/or initiate discussions concerning actions that may 
affect their Medicare coverage, payment, and appeal rights in response 
to hospital notification their care will no longer continue; Frequency: 
Other: Distribution; Affected Public: Individuals or households, 
business or other for-profit, not-for-profit institutions, Federal 
Government, State, Local or Tribal Government; Number of Respondents: 
5,985; Total Annual Responses: 11,500,000; Total Annual Hours: 632,500.
    Since the last version of form CMS-R-193, ``Important Message from 
Medicare'' (IM), was published, we have had several conversations with 
representatives of the hospital and managed care industry about how to 
make the IM a less burdensome, but equally effective, process. Most 
recently (this month), we consulted with representatives of the 
American Hospital Association, and the New Jersey Hospital Association, 
as well as with the Kaiser M+C organization staff to alert them to our 
plan to introduce a much less burdensome IM form and methodology. There 
has been general, unofficial agreement that the new approach would be 
viewed as a welcome improvement by the industry (although, we realize 
that some issues may remain). Because, we previously submitted this 
collection for OMB clearance, reduced burden on respondents and 
consulted with the industry, we believe that further review at the 
agency level is not justified. Therefore, we are proceeding directly 
with clearance through OMB.
    To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms 
for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access CMS'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 CMS 
document identifier, to [email protected], or call the Reports 
Clearance Office on (410) 786-1326.

[[Page 9744]]

Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information 
collections must be mailed within 30 days of this notice directly to 
the OMB desk officer: OMB Human Resources and Housing Branch, 
Attention: Allison Eydt, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, 
Washington, D.C. 20503.

    Dated: February 21, 2002.
John P. Burke, III,
CMS Reports Clearance Officer, CMS Office of Information Services, 
Security and Standards Group, Division of CMS Enterprise Standards.
[FR Doc. 02-4972 Filed 3-1-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-03-U