[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 104 (Friday, May 30, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32526-32527]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-13664]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-R-131]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Expedited Review and Clearance; 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.
    We are, however, requesting an expedited 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 are 
abbreviating the normal comment period of 60 days for the first notice 
to 30 days. We are requesting an expedited 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. We 
cannot reasonably comply with the normal clearance procedures because 
to do so could have serious consequences for Medicare beneficiaries, 
health care providers, Medicare contractors and software vendors.
    CMS is requesting OMB's expedited review and approval of this 
collection. Written comments and recommendations will be accepted from 
the public if received by the individual designated below by June 30, 
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: Extension of a 
currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Advance 
Beneficiary Notice; Form No.: CMS-R-131 (OMB 0938-0566); Use: 
Physicians, practitioners, suppliers, and providers furnishing Part A 
or Part B items or services may bill a patient for items or services 
denied by Medicare as not reasonable and necessary if they informed the 
patient, before furnishing the item or service, that Medicare was 
likely to deny payment for the items or services and the patient, after 
being informed, agreed to pay for the items or services; Frequency: On 
occasion; Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit, Individuals 
or households, Not-for-profit institutions; Number of Respondents: 
1,028,585; Total Annual Responses: 19,660,110; Total Annual Hours: 
1,686,285.
    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' 
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 30, 2003.

[[Page 32527]]

    CMS, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs, 
Division of Regulations Development and Issuances, Attention: Melissa 
Musotto, Room: C5-14-03, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 
21244-1850.

    Dated: May 12, 2003.
Julie Brown,
CMS Reports Clearance Officer, Division of Regulations Development and 
Issuances, Office of Strategic Operations and Strategic Affairs.
[FR Doc. 03-13664 Filed 5-28-03; 11:17 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-03-P