[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 82 (Tuesday, April 29, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22714-22715]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-10479]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-10089]


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 Balanced 
Budget Act of 1997. We cannot reasonably comply with the normal 
clearance procedures due to unforeseen circumstances. These 
circumstances include the following:
    1. The Health Outcomes Survey (HOS) was the original research 
approach to be used to collect health status indicators on Social 
Maintenance Health Organization (SHMO) and MSHO/MnDHO beneficiaries. 
This survey proved inadequate for a frail population as the HOS is 
lengthy and it

[[Page 22715]]

was determined that response rates were too low when tested on the PACE 
population. Further, 43% of the MSHO community enrollees and 
approximately 89% of the MnDHO community enrollees are frail and 
Nursing Home Certifiable (NHC).
    2. The State of Minnesota became very concerned about using the HOS 
due to the above findings by CMS, and preferred using the PHS for their 
beneficiaries who are more similar to beneficiaries in PACE.
    3. MSHO/MnDHO health plans must comply with the same PACE PHS 
survey timelines to assure that the new risk adjustment payment 
approach will be implemented January 2004.
    CMS is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by 
June 16, 2003, 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 9, 2003. 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: 
Data Collection for Administering the PACE Health Survey to 
Beneficiaries Enrolled in the Dual Eligible Demonstrations, Minnesota 
Senior Health Options and Minnesota Disability Health Options; Form 
No.: CMS-10089 (OMB 0938-XXXX); Use: The Centers for Medicare 
& Medicaid Services has developed a survey, the PHS, that is similar to 
the Health Outcomes Survey (HOS). This survey was approved for PACE and 
the Wisconsin Partnership Program (WPP) on March 14, 2003. This 
emergency is a request to include administering the OMB approved survey 
to beneficiaries enrolled in Minnesota Senior Health Options and 
Minnesota Disability Health Options (MSHO/MnDHO). The main purpose of 
the PHS is to collect health status information that may be used to 
adjust Medicare payment to MSHO/MnDHO health plan organizations. It has 
been successfully pilot-tested to assess response rates and accuracy of 
responses under different distribution approaches. The pilot test 
enabled CMS to select an approach whereby MSHO/MnDHO enrollees will be 
sent surveys to fill out and can request assistance from family or 
professionals; Frequency: Annually; Affected Public: Not-for-profit 
institutions; Number of Respondents: 2,600; Total Annual Responses: 
1,768; Total Annual Hours: 295.
    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 9, 2003: Centers for 
Medicare and Medicaid Services, Office of Strategic Operations and 
Regulatory Affairs, Division of Regulations Development and Issuances, 
Room C5-14-03, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850. Fax 
Number: (410) 786-3064, Attn: Dawn Willinghan, CMS-10089; 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: Brenda 
Agular, CMS Desk Officer.

    Dated: April 22, 2003.
Dawn Willinghan,
Acting, CMS Reports Clearance Officer, CMS, Office of Strategic 
Operations and Regulatory Affairs, Division of Regulations Development 
and Issuances.
[FR Doc. 03-10479 Filed 4-28-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-03-P