[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 141 (Friday, July 24, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36718-36719]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-17603]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-10184]


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). The Centers for Medicare and 
Medicaid Services (CMS) is requesting that an information collection 
request (ICR) for the Payment Error Rate Measurement (PERM) and 
Medicaid Eligibility Quality Control (MEQC), be processed under the 
emergency clearance process. Approval of this package is essential in 
order to comply with the Children's Health Insurance Program 
Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA). CHIPRA requires CMS to give States in a 
year that they are participating in PERM the option to substitute MEQC 
data to complete the requirements of the PERM eligibility review and 
also the option to substitute PERM eligibility data to complete the 
requirements of the MEQC review. CHIPRA makes the substitution of MEQC 
data effective April 1, 2009 and CMS must implement this option quickly 
for States to use.
    In addition, a State in the ongoing Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 cycle has 
already implemented this option but has no means to report the data to 
CMS. CMS also has an upcoming cycle for FY 2010 in which more States 
will consider substituting MEQC data for the coming PERM measurement. 
CMS hopes that with an emergency approval of this PRA package, the FY 
2009 cycle can continue and the FY 2010 cycle can begin as

[[Page 36719]]

close to the scheduled start date as possible.
    1. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently 
approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Eligibility Error 
Rate Measurement in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance 
Program; Use: The collection of information is necessary for CMS to 
produce national error rates for Medicaid and CHIP as required by 
Public Law 107-300, the IPIA of 2002. The collection of information is 
also necessary to implement provisions from the Children's Health 
Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA) (Pub. L. 111-3) 
with regard to the Medicaid Eligibility Quality Control (MEQC) and 
Payment Error Rate Measurement (PERM) programs. The information 
collected from the States selected for review will be used by CMS to 
ensure States use a statistically sound sampling methodology, to ensure 
the States complete reviews on all cases sampled, and will be used by 
the federal contractor to calculate State and national Medicaid and 
CHIP eligibility error rates. Form Number: CMS-10184 (OMB: 
0938-1012); Frequency: Reporting--Occasionally; Affected Public: State, 
Local, Tribal Governments; Number of Respondents: 34; Total Annual 
Responses: 53; Total Annual Hours: 942,764. (For policy questions 
regarding this collection contact Jessica Woodard at 410-786-9249. For 
all other issues call 410-786-1326.)
    CMS is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by 
August 21, 2009, 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 10, 2009.
    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 collection 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 10, 2009.
    1. Electronically. You may submit your comments electronically to  
http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for ``Comment or 
Submission'' or ``More Search Options'' to find the information 
collection document(s) accepting comments.
    2. By regular mail. You may mail written comments to the following 
address: CMS, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs, 
Division of Regulations Development, Attention: Document Identifier/OMB 
Control Number, Room C4-26-05, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, 
Maryland 21244-1850.
    3. By Facsimile or E-mail to OMB. OMB, Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, Attention: CMS Desk Officer, Fax Number: (202) 395-
6974, E-mail: [email protected].

    Dated: July 17, 2009.
Michelle Shortt,
Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic Operations 
and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. E9-17603 Filed 7-23-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P