[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 112 (Friday, June 10, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34076-34077]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-14435]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier CMS-10393]


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,

[[Page 34077]]

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: Existing collection in 
use without an OMB control number; Title of Information Collection: 
Medicare Beneficiary and Family-Centered Satisfaction Survey; Use: The 
data collection methodology used to determine Beneficiary Satisfaction 
flows from the proposed sampling approach. While it was feasible to 
conduct the 9th SOW via telephone data collection only, with a 
quarterly sample size for the 10th SOW estimated to be 2,664, it does 
not seem efficient to maintain a telephone only data collection 
approach. Based on recent literature on survey methodology and response 
rates by mode, we recommend using a data collection that is done 
primarily by mail. A mail-based methodology will achieve the goals of 
being efficient, effective, and minimally burdensome for beneficiary 
respondents.
    As previously described, we anticipate that a mail-based 
methodology could yield a response rate of approximately 60 percent. In 
order to achieve this response rate, we would recommend a 3 staged 
approach to data collection:
    (1) Mailout of a covering letter, the paper survey questionnaire, 
and a postage-paid return envelope.
    (2) Mailout of a post card that thanks respondents and reminds the 
non-respondents to please return their survey.
    (3) Mailout of a follow-up covering letter, the paper survey 
questionnaire, and a postage-paid return envelope.
    Through the pilot test, we will determine the response rate that 
can be achieved using this approach. If it is deemed necessary, 
additional mailout reminders can be added to the protocol, or a 
telephone non-response step can be added to the protocol.
    Using the 3-step mail approach described above, we anticipate that 
data collection would occur over an 8 to 10 weeks. This is to say, if 
the first survey mailing were dropped on January 1, we would anticipate 
completing data collection at the end of February or early March. Data 
would then be cleaned, scores would be generated, and data would be 
delivered to CMS. Through the pilot test, we will determine the precise 
timing required to achieve an acceptable response rate, but we are 
aiming to complete sampling, data collection, and scoring within a 12-
week period. Form Number: CMS-10393 (OCN: 0938-New) Frequency: Once; 
Affected Public: Individuals or households; Number of Respondents: 
16,010; Number of Responses: 16,010; Total Annual Hours: 4002. (For 
policy questions regarding this collection, contact Coles Mercier at 
410-786-2112. For all other issues call (410) 786-1326.)
    To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms 
for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access CMS' 
Web site at http://www.cms.gov/PaperworkReductionActof1995/PRAL/list.asp#TopOfPage or email your request, including your address, phone 
number, OMB number, and CMS document identifier, to 
[email protected], or call the Reports Clearance Office at 410-786-
1326.
    In commenting on the proposed information collections, please 
reference the document identifier or OMB control number. To be assured 
consideration, comments and recommendations must be submitted in one of 
the following ways by August 9, 2011:
    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.

    Dated: June 7, 2011.
Michelle Shortt,
Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic Operations 
and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2011-14435 Filed 6-9-11; 8:45 am]
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