[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 140 (Tuesday, July 22, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 43358]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-18529]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-10091]


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. We feel emergency approval is needed to possibly reduce the 
risk of public harm on beneficiaries by providing them the proper tools 
needed to get current information with regards to finding a Medicare 
participating physician who is accepting new patients.
    CMS is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by 
August 8, 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 July 31, 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: UPIN (UPIN Physician Identification Number) 
Participating Directory/Accepting New Patients Indicator; Form No.: 
CMS-10091 (OMB 0938-NEW); Use: In November of 2000, CMS 
launched the Participating Physicians Directory on http//
www.medicare.gov. This particular directory was created to provide 
beneficiaries with the names, addresses, and specialties of Medicare 
participating physicians who have agreed to accept assignment on all 
Medicare claims and covered services. CMS is adding information from 
already existing sources; in addition, CMS wants to collect a new data 
element ``Accepting New Patients Indicator'' which is essential to a 
beneficiary's search for a physician. Frequency: On occasion; Affected 
Public: Business or other for-profit; Number of Respondents: 109,800; 
Total Annual Responses: 10,980; Total Annual Hours: 915.
    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://cms.hhs.gov/regulations/pra/default.asp, 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 July 31, 2003: Centers for 
Medicare and Medicaid Services, Office of Strategic Operations and 
Regulatory Affairs, Room C5-14-03, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, 
MD 21244-1850. Fax Number: (410) 786-0262, Attn: Melissa Musotto CMS 
10091; 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 Aguilar, CMS Desk Officer.

    Dated: July 10, 2003.
Julie Brown,
Acting, Paperwork Reduction Act Team Leader, CMS Reports Clearance 
Officer, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs, 
Division of Regulations Development and Issuances.
[FR Doc. 03-18529 Filed 7-21-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-03-P