[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 75 (Friday, April 18, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21933-21934]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-08897]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[Document Identifiers: CMS-10509]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is 
announcing an opportunity for the public to comment on CMS' intention 
to collect information from the public. Under the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (PRA), federal agencies are required to publish notice in 
the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of 
information, including each proposed extension or reinstatement of an 
existing collection of information, and to allow a second opportunity 
for public comment on the notice. Interested persons are invited to 
send comments regarding the 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.

DATES: Comments on the collection(s) of information must be received by 
the OMB desk officer by May 19, 2014.

[[Page 21934]]


ADDRESSES: When commenting on the proposed information collections, 
please reference the document identifier or OMB control number. To be 
assured consideration, comments and recommendations must be received by 
the OMB desk officer via one of the following transmissions: OMB, 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: CMS Desk 
Officer, Fax Number: (202) 395-5806, OR, Email: [email protected].
    To obtain copies of a supporting statement and any related forms 
for the proposed collection(s) summarized in this notice, you may make 
your request using one of following:
    1. Access CMS' Web site address at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PaperworkReductionActof1995.
    2. Email your request, including your address, phone number, OMB 
number, and CMS document identifier, to [email protected].
    3. Call the Reports Clearance Office at (410) 786-1326.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Reports Clearance Office at (410) 786-
1326.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), federal agencies must obtain approval from 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of 
information they conduct or sponsor. The term ``collection of 
information'' is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c) and 
includes agency requests or requirements that members of the public 
submit reports, keep records, or provide information to a third party. 
Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)) requires 
federal agencies to publish a 30-day notice in the Federal Register 
concerning each proposed collection of information, including each 
proposed extension or reinstatement of an existing collection of 
information, before submitting the collection to OMB for approval. To 
comply with this requirement, CMS is publishing this notice that 
summarizes the following proposed collection(s) of information for 
public comment:
    1. Type of Information Collection Request: New collection (Request 
for a new OMB control number); Title of Information Collection: 
Prospective Evaluation of Evidence-Based Community Wellness and 
Prevention Programs; Use: Section 4202(b) of the Affordable Care Act 
(ACA) mandated that we conduct an evidence review and independent 
evaluation of wellness programs focusing on the following six 
intervention areas: chronic disease self-management, increasing 
physical activity, reducing obesity, improving diet and nutrition, 
reducing falls, and mental health management. In response to the ACA 
mandate, we adopted a three-phase approach to evaluate the impact of 
wellness programs on Medicare beneficiary health, utilization, and 
costs to determine whether broader Medicare beneficiary participation 
in wellness programs could lower future growth in Medicare spending. 
Phase I consisted of a comprehensive literature review and 
environmental scan to identify a list of wellness programs for further 
evaluation. Phase II involved a retrospective evaluation of 10 wellness 
programs in the targeted intervention areas mentioned above. The 
purpose of the Phase II evaluation was to use Medicare claims data to 
assess the 10 wellness programs' impact on Medicare beneficiary 
outcomes including health service utilization and medical costs. The 
findings in Phase II were promising in that several wellness programs 
demonstrated the potential to save medical costs among participating 
beneficiaries.
    Phase III of our evaluation, of which this work is the key 
component, aims to round out our understanding of how wellness programs 
affect Medicare beneficiaries and what cost saving opportunities exist 
for the Medicare program. This evaluation effort will (1) describe the 
overall distribution of readiness to engage with wellness programs in 
the Medicare population, (2) better adjust for selection biases of 
individual programs and interventions using beneficiary level survey 
data, (3) evaluate program impacts on health behaviors, self-reported 
health outcomes, and claims-based measures of utilization and costs, 
and (4) better describe program implementation, operations and cost in 
relation to the expected benefits. The results of these analyses will 
be used to inform wellness and prevention activities in the future.
    To achieve the goals of this project, we will be conducting a 
nationally representative survey of Medicare beneficiaries to assess 
their readiness to participate in community-based wellness programs. 
National estimates of Medicare beneficiary demand for wellness services 
and benefits will be generated from this population-based readiness 
national survey. In addition, we will partner with evidence-based 
wellness programs for the purposes of enrolling an estimated 2,000 
participants per program. Surveys of program participants will be 
conducted to assess program impacts on health and behavior.
    The 60-day Federal Register notice was published on November 22, 
2013 (78 FR 70059). No public comments received. During recent 
discussions with potential wellness programs, it was determined that 
the earlier response rate estimate was lower than what will be 
achieved. Thus, the response rate was increased, and therefore the 
total number of completed baseline surveys was also increased. The 
total estimated burden associated with completing the Participant 
survey has been increased. In addition, results from the cognitive 
testing with less than nine Medicare beneficiaries suggested that 
clarification for several items would also be beneficial. Questions 
have been added and deleted from the surveys. These clarifications have 
been made throughout the surveys in response to this feedback and 
documented in Part A, Attachment 5. Form Number: CMS-10509 (OCN: 0938-
NEW); Frequency: Semi-annually; Affected Public: Individuals and 
households; Number of Respondents: 49,017; Total Annual Responses: 
49,017; Total Annual Hours: 20,237. (For policy questions regarding 
this collection contact Benjamin Howell at 410-786-4942.)

    Dated: April 15, 2014.
Martique Jones,
Deputy Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic 
Operations and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2014-08897 Filed 4-17-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P