[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 130 (Friday, July 8, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39513-39514]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-13414]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-10163]


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

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

[[Page 39514]]

    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 comply with the normal 
clearance procedures because the normal procedures are likely to cause 
a statutory deadline to be missed.
    Section 923 (d) of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and 
Modernization Act of 2003 officially established 1-800-MEDICARE as the 
primary source of general Medicare information and assistance. As part 
of the MMA, CMS must provide Part D eligibles (and their 
representatives) with the information they need to make informed 
decisions among the available choices for Part D coverage. As Part D 
sponsors can start marketing their programs on October 1, 2005 and 
since the initial enrollment period for the general population is from 
November 15-May 15, 2006, CMS needs to insure that the 1-800-MEDICARE 
is meeting the needs of its callers. Therefore, CMS needs to have the 
Customer Experience Questionnaire in the field by September to provide 
quick, continuous feedback on the 1-800-MEDICARE experience.
    CMS is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by 
August 15, 2005, with a 180-day approval period. Written comments and 
recommendations will be accepted from the public if received by the 
individuals designated below by August 8, 2005.
    Type of Information Collection Request: New collection; Title of 
Information Collection: 1-800-MEDICARE Customer Experience 
Questionnaire; Use: The information collected through this survey of 
callers to 1-800-MEDICARE is to help insure that this critical 
information channel will be meeting the needs of its customers during 
the key fall 2005 Part D enrollment period; Form Number: CMS-10163 
(OMB: 0938-NEW); Frequency: One-time; Affected Public: 
Individuals or households; Number of Respondents: 31,200; Total Annual 
Responses: 31,200; Total Annual Hours: 4,940.
    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, as noted above, comments on these information 
collection and recordkeeping requirements must be mailed and/or faxed 
to the designees referenced below by August 8, 2005: Centers for 
Medicare & Medicaid Services, Office of Strategic Operations and 
Regulatory Affairs, Room C4-26-05, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, 
MD 21244-1850. Fax Number: (410) 786-0262, Attn: Melissa Musotto, CMS-
10163; and, OMB Human Resources and Housing Branch, Attention: 
Christopher Martin, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, 
Washington, DC 20503.

    Dated: July 1, 2005.
Michelle Shortt,
Acting Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic 
Operations and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. 05-13414 Filed 7-7-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-03-P