[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 150 (Friday, August 4, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44300-44301]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-6658]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-10206]


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

AGENCY: Centers 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(a)(2)(ii). This is necessary to ensure compliance with an 
initiative of the Administration. We cannot reasonably comply with the 
normal clearance procedures because of an unanticipated event, as 
stated in 5 CFR 1320.13(a)(2)(iii).
    Approval of this notice is essential in order to comply with 
Section 302(a)(1) of the MMA that requires the Secretary to establish 
and implement quality standards for suppliers of certain items to be 
applied by recognized independent accreditation organizations. 
Suppliers of Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and 
Supplies (DMEPOS) must comply with the quality standards (and thus be 
accredited) to furnish any item for which payment is made under 
Medicare Part B. The DMEPOS providers and suppliers must be accredited 
and obtain a National Supplier Clearinghouse billing number in order to 
participate in the Competitive Acquisition Program for DMEPOS. The 
competitive bidding process final rule will be published October 1, 
2006. However, there are over 90,000 providers and suppliers that need 
to be accredited before the implementation of this program by 2009, 
regardless of whether they submit bids or do not submit bids. Emergency 
clearance is required, given the complexity of this new requirement and 
the fact that the industry cannot proceed until CMS publishes both the 
quality standards along with the approved requirements for independent 
accreditation organizations. Otherwise, the program is in jeopardy of 
not meeting the statutory deadline of full implementation by 2009.
    1. Type of Information Collection Request: New collection; Title of 
Information Collection: Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, 
Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Supplier Accreditation Proposals from 
Independent Accrediting Bodies; Use: Under Section 302 of the Medicare 
Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA), 
the DMEPOS providers and suppliers must be accredited and obtain a 
National Supplier Clearinghouse billing number in order to 
competitively bid. Section 302(a)(1) of the MMA added section 
1834(a)(20) to the Act, which requires the Secretary to establish and 
implement quality standards for suppliers of certain items, including 
consumer service standards, to be applied by recognized independent 
accreditation organizations. Suppliers of DMEPOS must comply with the 
quality standards in order to furnish any item for which payment is 
made under Part B, and to receive and retain a provider or supplier 
billing number used to submit claims for reimbursement for any such 
item for which payment may be made under Medicare. Section 
1834(a)(20)(B) of the Act requires the Secretary, notwithstanding 
section 1865(b) of the Act, to designate and approve one or more 
independent accreditation organizations to apply the quality standards 
to suppliers of DMEPOS and other items. Independent accreditation 
organizations must furnish the specified information to CMS to allow 
themselves the opportunity to submit proposals to implement and operate 
the DMEPOS accreditation program. The information supplied by the 
Independent Accreditation Organizations will be used to evaluate the 
accreditation organization's ability to meet CMS' regulations. Form 
Number: CMS-10206 (OMB: 0938-NEW); Frequency: Reporting--One-
time; Affected Public: Business or other for-profit and Not-for-profit 
institutions; Number of Respondents: 10; Total Annual Responses: 10; 
Total Annual Hours: 200.
    CMS is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by 
August 9, 2006, with a 180-day approval period. Written comments and 
recommendations will be considered from the public if received by the 
individuals designated below by August 7, 2006.
    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 7, 2006:

CMS, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs, Division of 
Regulations Development--B, Attn: William N. Parham, III, Room C4-26-

[[Page 44301]]

05, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850; and,
OMB Human Resources and Housing Branch, Attention: Carolyn Lovett, New 
Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, Fax 
Number: (202) 395-6974.

    Dated: July 26, 2006.
Michelle Shortt,
Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic Operations 
and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. 06-6658 Filed 7-31-06; 2:20 pm]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P