[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 208 (Friday, October 26, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 65391]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-26380]



[[Page 65391]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-10451]


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: New collection; Title of 
Information Collection: Evaluation and Development of Outcome Measures 
for Quality Assessment in Medicare Advantage and Special Needs Plans; 
Use: Quality improvement is a major initiative for the Centers for 
Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). With the passing of the Patient 
Protection and Affordable Care Act in March 2010, there is a focused 
interest in providing quality and value-based healthcare for Medicare 
beneficiaries. In addition, it is critical to develop criteria not only 
for quality improvement but also as a means for beneficiaries to 
compare healthcare plans to make the choice that is right for them.
    It is critical to the CMS mission to expand its quality improvement 
efforts from collection of structure and process measures to include 
outcome measures. However, the development of outcome measures 
appropriate for the programs serving older and/or disabled patients has 
been somewhat limited. The development and subsequent implementation of 
outcome measures as part of the overall quality improvement program for 
CMS is crucial to ensuring that beneficiaries obtain high quality 
healthcare. In addition, process of care measures are needed that focus 
on the care needs of Medicare beneficiaries, such as factors affecting 
continuity of care and transitions.
    This request is for data collection to test the use of new tools 
available to CMS to measure care pertinent to vulnerable beneficiaries 
where quality of care provided by Medicare Advantage Organizations 
(MAOs) should be closely monitored. The measures to be evaluated and 
developed upon approval of this request relate to (1) Continuity of 
information and care from hospital discharge to the outpatient setting, 
(2) continuity between mental health provider and primary care provider 
(PCP), and (3) items that may be added to the Consumer Assessment of 
Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) survey addressing language-
centered care, cultural competence, physical activity, healthy eating, 
and caregiver strain. Form Number: CMS-10451 (OCN: 0938-New); 
Frequency: Yearly, occasionally; Affected Public: Individuals or 
Households, Private sector--Business or other for-profits; Number of 
Respondents: 2,012; Total Annual Responses: 2,360; Total Annual Hours: 
4,630. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Susan 
Radke at 410-786-4450. 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.
    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 December 26, 2012:
    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: October 23, 2012.
Martique Jones,
Director, Regulations Development Group, Division B, Office of 
Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2012-26380 Filed 10-25-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P