[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 105 (Thursday, June 1, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31191-31192]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-8453]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[60 Day-06-0242x]


Proposed Data Collections Submitted for Public Comment and 
Recommendations

    In compliance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 for opportunity for public comment on 
proposed data collection projects, the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects. 
To request more information on the proposed projects or to obtain a 
copy of the data collection plans and instruments, call 404-639-5960 
and send comments to Seleda Perryman, CDC Assistant Reports Clearance 
Officer, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-D74, Atlanta, GA 30333 or send an e-mail 
to [email protected].
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, 
including through the use of automated collection techniques or other 
forms of information technology. Written comments should be received 
within 60 days of this notice.

Proposed Project

    Estimating the Cost of Sigmoidoscopy and Colonoscopy for Colorectal 
Cancer Screening in U.S. Healthcare Facilities--New--National Center 
for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP), Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

    Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-
related deaths in the United States. In 2005, it was estimated that 
approximately 56,300 Americans died from CRC and about 145,300 new 
cases were diagnosed. The risk of developing CRC increases with 
advancing age. More than 90% of newly diagnosed CRCs occur in persons 
50 years of age and older. Several scientific studies have demonstrated 
that regular screening for CRC reduces the incidence and mortality 
cases stemming from this disease. Other studies have shown that regular 
screening for CRC is also cost-effective in terms of years of life 
saved.
    Despite strong scientific evidence and evidence-based clinical 
guidelines recommending screening, current screening rates remain low. 
A recent CDC study reported that more than 40 million Americans who are 
50 years of age or older and at average risk for CRC have not been 
screened in accordance with current guidelines. The study also reported 
that screening this population with current endoscopic (i.e., flexible 
sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy) capacity in the health care system could 
require as much as ten years to complete. An effective national effort 
to promote CRC screening could increase the demand for endoscopic 
procedures.
    It has been reported that reimbursements for endoscopic procedures 
in publicly-funded programs may not be adequate to cover the costs of 
performing these procedures. This may be a disincentive for providers 
to perform endoscopy procedures. Currently, there is little information 
available about the resources required or the cost of providing these 
procedures in different types of healthcare facilities in the United 
States.
    The purpose of this project is to conduct a survey of a nationally 
representative sample of healthcare

[[Page 31192]]

facilities in order to estimate the average variable costs of providing 
colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy for CRC screening and follow-up 
services. Over time, payments need to cover fixed costs in addition to 
variable costs. If some facilities have the ability to provide more 
procedures without additional investment in space or equipment, then 
recovering fixed costs is not necessary at least in the short run. The 
estimated average variable cost by procedure will be compared to the 
reimbursement rates for both screening procedures in order to determine 
whether the payments to facilities exceed this minimum threshold. 
Otherwise, facilities will find reimbursement a potential barrier to 
expansion of CRC screening to uninsured or underinsured populations 
even if there is underutilized capacity. The study will also determine 
whether there are factors that affect average variable costs across 
facilities such as the number of procedures performed, specialization 
in types of procedures or other characteristics of the facility. 
Results of this study will be used to better understand the economics 
of colorectal cancer screening.
    Respondents include medical facility receptionists, hospital 
operators, and office/business managers. There is no cost to the 
respondent, other than their time.

                                        Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
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                                                                     Number of    Average burden
                    Form type                        Number of     responses per   per response    Total burden
                                                    respondents     respondent      (in hours)         hours
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Telephone script to medical facility                       4,160               1            5/60             347
 receptionists..................................
Mail Survey to hospital-based outpatient                   1,000               1               1           1,000
 department managers............................
Mail Survey to ambulatory surgery center                     725               1               1             725
 managers.......................................
    Total.......................................  ..............  ..............  ..............           2,072
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    Dated: May 24, 2006.
Joan F. Karr,
Acting Report Clearance Officer, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention.
[FR Doc. E6-8453 Filed 5-31-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P