[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 102 (Tuesday, May 28, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 36891]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-13183]



[[Page 36891]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-10064]


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 the BBA. We 
cannot reasonably comply with the normal clearance procedures because * 
* *
    [sbull] The integration of the swing bed hospitals into the SNF PPS 
is mandated under the BBA. The FY 2002 final rule implementation date 
is the last possible date to introduce this program within the 
legislated time frames. Any delay past July 1, 2002 will put us out of 
compliance with the statutory requirements.
    [sbull] Rural swing bed hospitals have already incurred costs to 
implement the SNF PPS. Postponing the implementation at this point 
would cause harm to the swing bed hospitals which have hired staff and 
purchased equipment in the expectation of higher reimbursement rates 
under the SNF PPS.
    [sbull] The SB-MDS has already been reviewed by OMB as part of the 
regulatory review of the July 31, 2001 Update Rule. At that time, OMB 
concurred with the decision to replace the 6-page MDS with the 
customized 2-page SB-MDS. All the items included on the SB-MDS were 
included in Appendix B of that rule, and were reviewed and approved by 
OMB at that time. There was general consensus among CMS, the department 
and OMB that the use of the SB-MDS significantly reduces the burden of 
swing bed providers in complying with the BBA requirements.
    CMS is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by 
June 17, 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 June 13, 2002. 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: Minimum Data Set (MDS) for Swing Bed Hospitals 
and Supporting Regulations in 42 CFR, Sections 413.337 and 483.20; Form 
No.: CMS-10064 (OMB# 0938-NEW); Use: We are requesting approval 
of resident assessment information that swing bed hospitals are 
required to submit as described at 42 CFR 483.20 in the manner 
necessary to administer the payment rate methodology described in 42 
CFR 413.337; Frequency: Other: Days 5, 14, 30, 60 & 90 of stay; 
Affected Public: Not-for-Profit Institutions, and State, Local or 
Tribal Government; Number of Respondents: 1,250; Total Annual 
Responses: 156,480; Total Annual Hours: 132,360.
    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 June 13, 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: Dawn Willinghan, CMS-10064

 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: May 16, 2002.
Julie Brown,
Acting, Paperwork Reduction Act Team Leader, CMS Reports Clearance 
Officer, CMS, Office of Information Services, Security and Standards 
Group, Division of CMS Enterprise Standards.
[FR Doc. 02-13183 Filed 5-24-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-03-P