[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 236 (Friday, December 9, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73251-73252]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-7153]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-10175]


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

AGENCY: Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
    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. We cannot reasonably comply with the normal 
clearance procedures because public harm will ensue from the continued 
denial of access from providers obtaining National Provider Identifiers 
(NPI) en masse.
    Currently, providers can obtain a NPI via a paper application or 
over the Internet through the National Plan and Provider Enumeration 
System (NPPES). These applications must be submitted individually, on a 
per-provider basis. We are seeking OMB approval for the electronic file 
interchange (EFI) process.

[[Page 73252]]

 The EFI process is designed to allow provider-designated organizations 
(known as electronic file interchange organizations ``EFIOs'') to 
capture multiple providers' NPI application information on a single 
file. (This process is also referred to as ``bulk enumeration.'') To 
ensure that the EFIO has the authority to act on behalf of each 
provider and complies with other Federal requirements, the EFIO must 
sign a certification statement and mail it to CMS. The EFI process 
therefore cannot commence until the certification statement receives 
final OMB clearance.
    1. Type of Information Collection Request: New collection; Title of 
Information Collection: Certification Statement for Electronic File 
Interchange Organizations (EFIOS) that Submit National Provider 
Identifier (NPI) Data to the National Plan and Enumeration System; Use: 
The EFI process is designed to allow organizations to submit NPI 
application information for large numbers of providers in a single 
file. Once it has obtained and formatted the necessary provider data, 
the EFIO will electronically submit the file to NPPES for processing. 
As each file can contain up to approximately 100,000 records, or 
provider applications, the EFI process greatly reduces the paperwork 
and overall administrative burden associated with enumerating 
providers; Form Number: CMS-10175 (OMB: 0938-NEW); Frequency: 
Other--One-time; Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, and 
Not-for-profit institutions; Number of Respondents: 2000; Total Annual 
Responses: 1000; Total Annual Hours: 3000.
    CMS is requesting OMB review and approval of these collections by 
December 30, 2005, with a 180-day approval period. Written comments and 
recommendation will be considered from the public if received by the 
individuals designated below by December 23, 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 to the 
designees referenced below by December 23, 2005: Centers for Medicare 
and Medicaid Services, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory 
Affairs, Division of Regulations Development--B, Room C4-26-05, 7500 
Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850, Attn: William N. Parham, 
III and, OMB Human Resources and Housing Branch, Attention: Carrie 
Lovett, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 
20503.

    Dated: December 2, 2005.
Michelle Shortt,
Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic Operations 
and Regulatory Affairs.
 [FR Doc. E5-7153 Filed 12-8-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P