[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 144 (Friday, July 27, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41329-41330]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-14481]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-R-312]


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: Extension of a currently 
approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Conflict of 
Interest and Ownership and Control Information Use: The Conflict of 
Interest and Ownership and Control Information Statement (COI 
Statement) is sent to all Medicare Fiscal Intermediaries (FIs) and 
Carriers to collect full and complete information on any entity's or 
individual's ownership interest (defined as a 5 per centum or more) in 
an organization that may present a potential conflict of interest in 
their role as a Medicare FI or Carrier.
    The information gathered in the survey is used to ensure that all 
potential, apparent and actual conflicts of interest involving Medicare 
contractors are appropriately mitigated and that employees of the 
contractors, including officers, directors, trustees and members of 
their immediate families, do not utilize their positions with the 
contractor for their own private business interest to the detriment of 
the Medicare program. Information is also requested on potential 
organizational conflicts of interest involving Medicare contractors' 
ownership of other entities in the health care industry. If a response 
has indicated that a potential conflict of interest exists, the 
contractor is contacted and asked to address how the conflict can be 
avoided or mitigated. Form Number: CMS-R-312 (OMB: 0938-0795); 
Frequency: Reporting--Annually; Affected Public: Private Sector--
Business or other for-profit and Not-for-profit institutions; Number of 
Respondents: 37; Total Annual Responses: 37; Total Annual Hours: 
11,100.
    To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms 
for the

[[Page 41330]]

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 September 25, 2007.
    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: July 20, 2007.
Michelle Shortt,
Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic Operations 
and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. E7-14481 Filed 7-26-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P