[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 70 (Thursday, April 11, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 17696]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-8824]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-855]


Emergency Clearance: Public Information Collection Requirements 
Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

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.
    We are, however, requesting an emergency review of the information 
collection 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 5 U.S.C. 1395g 
and 42 CFR 413.20 and 413.24. We cannot reasonably comply with the 
normal clearance procedures because the approval for this collection 
lapsed; having approval for the forms is vital to the Medicare program. 
If we are unable to require specific information from providers and 
suppliers that want to enroll in Medicare in order to participate in 
the program, we will have little control over what information they 
give us without going through a potentially long and drawn out process 
by going back repeatedly to gather necessary information from the 
potential providers and suppliers. The alternative would be to accept 
any supplier or provider for participation in the program, which might 
result in having otherwise unacceptable providers and suppliers 
furnishing services to our beneficiaries.
    CMS is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by 
April 26, 2002, with a 180-day approval period. Written comments and 
recommendations will be accepted from the public if received by the 
individuals designated below by April 22, 2002. We published a separate 
Federal Register notice announcing the initiation of an extensive 60-
day agency review and public comment period on these requirements on 
February 8, 2002. We will submit the requirements for OMB review and an 
extension of this emergency approval during the 180-day approval 
period.
    Type of Information Collection Request: Reinstatement of a 
previously approved collection.
    Title of Information Collection: Medicare Federal Health Care 
Programs Provider/Supplier Enrollment Application.
    Form No.: HCFA-855 (OMB# 0938-0685).
    Use: This information is needed to enroll providers and suppliers 
into the Medicare program by identifying them, pricing and paying their 
claims, and verifying their qualifications and eligibility to 
participate in Medicare.
    Frequency: Initial enrollment/recertification and every three 
years.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, Individuals or 
Households, and Not-for-profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 1,300,000.
    Total Annual Responses: 604,000.
    Total Annual Hours: 435,000.
    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 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.
    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 April 22, 2002.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Office of Information 
Services, Security and Standards Group, Division of CMS Enterprise 
Standards, Room N2-14-26, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-
1850, Fax Number: (410) 786-0262, Attn: Julie Brown, CMS-855, 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 
Eydt, CMS Desk Officer.

    Dated: April 3, 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. 02-8824 Filed 4-10-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-03-P