[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 130 (Friday, July 6, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40063-40064]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-16526]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier CMS-10427 and CMS-10437]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB 
Review; 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), 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 function; (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.

[[Page 40064]]

    1. Type of Information Collection Request: New collection; Title of 
Information Collection: For-Profit PACE Study; Use: The Program of All 
Inclusive Care of the Elderly (PACE) aims to provide integrated care 
and services to the frail elderly at risk of institutionalization to 
enable them to remain in the community. Under the Balanced Budget Act 
of 1997 (BBA), the not-for-profit PACE plans were established as 
permanent providers under the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The BBA 
also mandated a demonstration of for-profit PACE plans. This study will 
estimate the differences in quality and access to care between the for-
profit and not-for-profit PACE plans. The data collected in the survey 
will be used to measure the outcomes of interest-differences in access 
to and quality of care delivered to PACE enrollees. To measure these 
key outcomes, the survey will collect data on access to and 
satisfaction with healthcare, personal care, and transportation 
assistance provided by the plans. Form Number: CMS-10427 (OCN: 0938-
New); Frequency: Yearly; Affected Public: Individuals. Number of 
Respondents: 813. Number of Responses: 813. Total Annual Hours: 447. 
(For policy questions regarding this collection contact Julia Zucco at 
410-786-6670. For all other issues call 410-786-1326.)
    2. Type of Information Collection Request: New collection; Title of 
Information Collection: Generic Social Marketing & Consumer Testing 
Research; Use: The purpose of this submission is to request an 
Information Collection Request (ICR) generic clearance for a program of 
consumer research aimed at a broad audience of those affected by CMS 
programs including Medicare, Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance 
Program (CHIP), and health insurance exchanges. This program extends 
strategic efforts to reach and tailor communications to beneficiaries, 
caregivers, providers, stakeholders, and any other audiences that would 
support the Agency in improving the functioning of the health care 
system, improve patient care and outcomes, and reduce costs without 
sacrificing quality of care. With the clearance, CMS will create a fast 
track, streamlined, proactive process for collection of data and 
utilizing the feedback on service delivery for continuous improvement 
of communication activities aimed at diverse CMS audiences.
    The generic clearance will allow rapid response to inform CMS 
initiatives using a mixture of qualitative and quantitative consumer 
research strategies (including formative research studies and 
methodological tests) to improve communication with key CMS audiences. 
As new information resources and persuasive technologies are developed, 
they can be tested and evaluated for beneficiary response to the 
materials and delivery channels. Results will inform communication 
development and information architecture as well as allow for 
continuous quality improvement. The overall goal is to maximize the 
extent to which consumers have access to useful sources of CMS program 
information in a form that can help them make the most of their 
benefits and options.
    The activities under this clearance involve social marketing and 
consumer research using samples of self-selected customers, as well as 
convenience samples, and quota samples, with respondents selected 
either to cover a broad range of customers or to include specific 
characteristics related to certain products or services. All collection 
of information under this clearance will utilize a subset of items 
drawn from a core collection of customizable items referred to as the 
Social Marketing and Consumer Testing Item Bank. This item bank is 
designed to establish a set of pre-approved generic question that can 
be drawn upon to allow for the rapid turn-around consumer testing 
required for CMS to communicate more effectively with its audiences. 
The questions in the item bank are divided into two major categories. 
One set focuses on characteristics of individuals and is intended 
primarily for participant screening and for use in structured 
quantitative on-line or telephone surveys. The other set is less 
structured and is designed for use in qualitative one-on-one and small 
group discussions or collecting information related to subjective 
impressions of test materials. A Study Initiation Request Form 
detailing each specific study (description, methodology, estimated 
burden) conducted under this clearance will be submitted before any 
testing is initialed. Results will be compiled and disseminated so that 
future communication can be informed by the testing results. We will 
use the findings to create the greatest possible public benefit. Form 
Number: CMS-10427 (OCN: 0938-New); Frequency: Yearly; Affected Public: 
Individuals. Number of Respondents: 41,592. Number of Responses: 
28,800. Total Annual Hours: 21,488. (For policy questions regarding 
this collection contact Neal Hickson at 410-786-6737. 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 address at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PaperworkReductionActof1995, or 
Email 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 by the OMB desk 
officer at the address below, no later than 5 p.m. on August 6, 2012.
    OMB, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: CMS 
Desk Officer, Fax Number: (202) 395-6974, Email: [email protected].

    Dated: June 29, 2012.
Martique Jones,
Director, Regulations Development Group, Division B, Office of 
Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2012-16526 Filed 7-5-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P