[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 87 (Friday, May 5, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26543-26544]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-6808]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-10169]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

    Agency: Centers for Medicare & 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 & Medicaid 
Services (CMS) 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: New collection; Title of 
Information Collection: Request for Bids (RFB) for Durable Medical 
Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive 
Bidding Program; Use: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services 
(CMS) will conduct competitive bidding programs in which certain 
suppliers will be awarded contracts to provide certain DMEPOS items to 
Medicare beneficiaries. Competitive bidding provides a way to harness 
marketplace dynamics to create incentives for suppliers to provide 
quality items and

[[Page 26544]]

services in an efficient manner and at a reasonable cost.
    The objectives of competitive bidding include:
    (1) To implement competitive bidding programs for certain covered 
items of DMEPOS and associated services in select areas;
    (2) To assure beneficiary access to quality DMEPOS as a result of 
the program;
    (3) To reduce the amount Medicare pays for DMEPOS and create a 
payment structure under competitive bidding that is more reflective of 
a competitive market;
    (4) To limit the financial burden on beneficiaries by reducing 
their out-of-pocket expenses for DMEPOS they obtain through the 
program; and,
    (5) To contract with suppliers who conduct business in a manner 
that is beneficial for the program and Medicare beneficiaries.
    Contract suppliers will be selected from the suppliers that have 
the lowest bids and that meet all relevant program requirements. 
Suppliers bidding above the winning price are to be excluded from the 
Medicare market; however, multiple winners must be awarded in each 
site. The forms associated with this collection of information will 
collect all of the relevant information needed for processing bids.; 
Form Number: CMS-10169 (OMB: 0938-NEW); Frequency: Reporting--
Every three years; Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, not-
for-profit institutions, and the Federal government; Number of 
Respondents: 16,545; Total Annual Responses: 16,545; Total Annual 
Hours: 1,158,150.
    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/PaperworkReductionActof1995, 
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.
    To be assured consideration, comments and recommendations for the 
proposed information collections must be received at the address below, 
no later than 5 p.m. on July 5, 2006.
    CMS, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs, 
Division of Regulations Development--B, Attention: William N. Parham, 
III, Room C4-26-05, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-
1850.

    Dated: April 28, 2006.
Michelle Shortt,
Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic Operations 
and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. E6-6808 Filed 5-4-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P