[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 87 (Friday, May 6, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24048-24049]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-9028]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-R-296]


Emergency Clearance: Public Information Collection Requirements 
Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

AGENCY: Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
    In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid 
services (CMS), 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 an initiative of 
the Administration. We cannot reasonably

[[Page 24049]]

comply with the normal clearance procedures because to do so would 
cause a statutory deadline to be missed. CMS is requesting OMB review 
and approval of this collection 31 days after the publication of this 
notice, with a 180-day approval period.
    The Home Health Advance Beneficiary Notice (HHABN) requires Home 
Health Agencies (HHAs) to provide written notice to Medicare 
beneficiaries in advance of initiating, terminating or reducing 
beneficiary services. The current HHABN was revised to ensure that 
beneficiaries receive complete and useful information to enable them to 
make informed consumer decisions. The notice must be issued timely and 
provide clear and accurate information about the specified services 
which may no longer be covered by Medicare, including the reason(s) 
that Medicare denial of payment for those services is expected by the 
HHA.
    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.cms.hhs.gov/regulations/pra 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, comments on these information collection and 
recordkeeping requirements must be received within 30 days of this 
notice directly to the OMB desk officer: OMB Human Resources and 
Housing Branch, Attention: Christopher Martin, New Executive Office 
Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503.

    Dated: April 26, 2005.
Michelle Shortt,
Acting Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic 
Operations and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. 05-9028 Filed 5-2-05; 5:02 pm]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P