[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 105 (Friday, June 2, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25608-25609]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-11428]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[Document Identifiers: CMS-1572 and CMS-10633]


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

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, HHS.

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 the necessity and utility of the 
proposed information collection for the proper performance of the 
agency's functions, the accuracy of the estimated burden, ways to 
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be 
collected; and 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 July 3, 2017.

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 Web site address at https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/PaperworkReductionActof1995/PRA-Listing.html.
    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: William Parham at (410) 786-4669.

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: Reinstatement without 
change of a previously collection; Title of Information Collection: 
Home Health Agency Survey and Deficiencies Report; Use: In order to 
participate in the Medicare Program as a Home Health Agency (HHA) 
provider, the HHA must meet federal standards. This form is used to 
record information and patients' health and provider compliance with 
requirements and to report the information to the federal government. 
Form Number: CMS-1572 (OMB Control Number: 0938-0355); Frequency: 
Yearly; Affected Public: State, Local or Tribal Government; Number of 
Respondents: 3,830; Total Annual Responses: 3,830; Total Annual Hours: 
849. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Sarah 
Fahrendorf at 410-786-3112.)
    2. Type of Information Collection Request: New Collection (Request 
for a new OMB control number); Title of Information Collection: QIC 
Demonstration Evaluation Contractor (QDEC): Analyze Medicare Appeals to 
Conduct Formal Discussions and Reopenings with Suppliers; Use: The 
Formal Telephone Discussions Demonstration is designed to improve the 
efficiency of Medicare's five-level appeals system for fee-for-service 
(FFS) claims, which currently is experiencing a backlog. In the 
Demonstration, the Qualified Independent Contractor (QIC) provides 
education through a formal telephone discussion process to improve 
suppliers' understanding of the reasons for claim denials, and 
ultimately improve the quality of future claims submissions. CMS is 
interested in determining whether engagement between suppliers and the 
QIC will improve the understanding of the cause of Level 2 appeal 
denials, and over time, whether this results in increased submission of 
accurate and complete claims at the Medicare Administrative Contractor 
(MAC) level. The evaluation of the Demonstration will use both

[[Page 25609]]

quantitative and qualitative techniques to analyze the outcomes and 
impact of the Demonstration. Claims analysis, a web-based supplier 
survey, and supplier key informant interviews will inform the 
evaluation, and: (1) Focus specifically on outcomes including supplier 
satisfaction with the discussions, the rate of claims denials, and the 
number of claims that go through appeals Levels 2 and 3; (2) seek to 
determine whether further engagement between suppliers and the QIC 
improves understanding of the reasons for claim denials; and (3) 
support CMS in assessing the QIC's effectiveness in meeting a number of 
criteria established by CMS, including how satisfied participating 
suppliers were with the formal telephone discussion process. Form 
Number: CMS-10633 (OMB control number: 0938-NEW); Frequency: Monthly; 
Affected Public: Private Sector Business or other for-profits, Not-for-
Profit Institutions; Number of Respondents: 10,560; Total Annual 
Responses: 2,640; Total Annual Hours: 473.3. (For policy questions 
regarding this collection contact Lynnsie Doty at 410-786-2175.)

    Dated: May 30, 2017.
William N. Parham, III,
Director, Paperwork Reduction Staff, Office of Strategic Operations and 
Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2017-11428 Filed 6-1-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P