[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 140 (Friday, July 22, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 42324]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-14149]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-10165]


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

AGENCY: Center 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), 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. The approval of an emergency clearance process for 
the application associated with this demonstration is essential in 
order to prevent possible public harm that may result if the normal 
clearance procedures were followed. The use of the normal clearance 
procedures will limit improved quality of care to beneficiaries.
    The Medicare Care Management Performance (MCMP) Demonstration and 
its corresponding Report to Congress are mandated by the section 649 of 
the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 
2003 (MMA). Section 649 of the MMA provides for the implementation of a 
``pay for performance'' demonstration under which Medicare would pay 
incentive payments to physicians who (1) adopt and use health 
information technology; and (2) meet established standards on clinical 
performance measures. This demonstration will be held in four States, 
Arkansas, California, Massachusetts, and Utah. Providers that are 
enrolled in the Doctors' Office Quality--Information Technology (DOQ-
IT) project are eligible to participate in the demonstration.
    To enroll in the MCMP Demonstration, a physician/provider must 
submit an application form. The information collected will be used to 
assess eligibility for the demonstration. The MCMP Demonstration is 
scheduled to start in August 2005. We are requesting emergency 
clearance so this application can be utilized to enroll practices into 
the congressionally mandated and administration priority demonstration 
project in a timely manner.
    CMS is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by 
August 19, 2005, with a 180-day approval period. Written comments and 
recommendation will be accepted from the public if received by the 
individuals designated below by August 15, 2005.
    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 15, 2005:

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Office of Strategic 
Operations and Regulatory Affairs, Room C4-26-05, 7500 Security 
Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850, Fax Number: (410) 786-5267, Attn: 
William N. Parham, III, CMS-10165 and,
OMB Human Resources and Housing Branch, Attention: Christopher Martin, 
New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503.

    Dated: July 12, 2005.
Michelle Shortt,
Acting Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic 
Operations and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. 05-14149 Filed 7-14-05; 12:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P