[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 197 (Friday, October 10, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 58689]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-25764]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-10091 and CMS-R-299]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
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.
    1. Type of Information Collection Request: Extension of a currently 
approved collection.
    Title of Information Collection: UPIN (Unique Physician 
Identification Number) Participating Physicians Directory.
    Form No.: CMS-10091(OMB 0938-0905).
    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: 10,980.
    Total Annual Responses: 10,980.
    Total Annual Hours: 915.
    2. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently 
approved collection.
    Title of Information Collection: A project to Develop an Outcome-
Based Continuous Quality Improvement System and Core Outcome and 
Comprehensive Assessment Data Set for PACE.
    Form No.: CMS-R-299 (OMB 0938-0791).
    Use: The purpose of this project is to develop an outcome-based 
continuous quality improvement (OBCQI) system and core comprehensive 
assessment data set for the PACE program by (a) developing and testing 
a set of data items for core outcome and comprehensive assessment 
(COCOA), (b) testing risk-adjustment methods so each site's outcomes 
can be appropriately evaluated, (c) designing an OBCQI approach to 
improve quality in a systematic, evolutionary manner, and (d) testing 
the usefulness of the data items for assessment and care planning. A 
three-phase field test will result in the refinement of the draft COCOA 
data items and protocols needed. Findings from the project are intended 
to guide the possible implementation of a national approach for OBCQI 
and core comprehensive assessment for PACE.
    Frequency: On occasion and Semi-annually.
    Affected Public: Individuals or Households and Not-for-profit 
institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 8,320.
    Total Annual Responses: 116,038.
    Total Annual Hours: 16,959.98.
    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. Written comments and 
recommendations for the proposed information collections must be mailed 
within 60 days of this notice directly to the CMS Paperwork Clearance 
Officer designated at the following address: 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: October 2, 2003.
Dawn Willinghan,
CMS Reports Clearance Officer, Office of Strategic Operations and 
Strategic Affairs, Division of Regulations Development and Issuances.
[FR Doc. 03-25764 Filed 10-9-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-03-P