[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 76 (Monday, April 20, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21858-21859]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-08275]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-P-0015A]


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

[[Page 21859]]

minimize the information collection burden.

DATES: Comments on the collection(s) of information must be received by 
the OMB desk officer by May 20, 2020.

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:
    Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information 
collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice 
to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information 
collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--Open for 
Public Comments'' or by using the search function.
    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' website address at website address at https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/PaperworkReductionActof1995/PRA-Listing.html.
    1. Email your request, including your address, phone number, OMB 
number, and CMS document identifier, to [email protected].
    2. 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: Revision with change of 
a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: 
Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey; Use: CMS is the largest single 
payer of health care in the United States. The agency plays a direct or 
indirect role in administering health insurance coverage for more than 
120 million people across the Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and Exchange 
populations. A critical aim for CMS is to be an effective steward, 
major force, and trustworthy partner in supporting innovative 
approaches to improving quality, accessibility, and affordability in 
healthcare. CMS also aims to put patients first in the delivery of 
their health care needs.
    The Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) is the most 
comprehensive and complete survey available on the Medicare population 
and is essential in capturing data not otherwise collected through our 
operations. The MCBS is an in-person, nationally-representative, 
longitudinal survey of Medicare beneficiaries that we sponsor and is 
directed by the Office of Enterprise Data and Analytics (OEDA). The 
survey captures beneficiary information whether aged or disabled, 
living in the community or facility, or serviced by managed care or 
fee-for-service. Data produced as part of the MCBS are enhanced with 
our administrative data (e.g. fee-for-service claims, prescription drug 
event data, enrollment, etc.) to provide users with more accurate and 
complete estimates of total health care costs and utilization. The MCBS 
has been continuously fielded for more than 28 years, encompassing over 
1 million interviews and more than 100,000 survey participants. 
Respondents participate in up to 11 interviews over a four year period. 
This gives a comprehensive picture of health care costs and utilization 
over a period of time.
    The MCBS continues to provide unique insight into the Medicare 
program and helps CMS and our external stakeholders better understand 
and evaluate the impact of existing programs and significant new policy 
initiatives. In the past, MCBS data have been used to assess potential 
changes to the Medicare program. For example, the MCBS was instrumental 
in supporting the development and implementation of the Medicare 
prescription drug benefit by providing a means to evaluate prescription 
drug costs and out-of-pocket burden for these drugs to Medicare 
beneficiaries. Beginning in 2021, this proposed revision to the 
clearance will add a few new measures to existing questionnaire 
sections. The revisions will result in a slight increase in respondent 
burden due to the addition of the new items. Form Number: CMS-P-0015A 
(OMB control number: 0938-0568); Frequency: Occasionally; Affected 
Public: Business or other for-profits and Not-for-profit institutions; 
Number of Respondents: 13,656; Total Annual Responses: 35,998; Total 
Annual Hours: 44,573. (For policy questions regarding this collection 
contact William Long at 410-786-7927.)

    Dated: April 15, 2020.
William N. Parham, III,
Director, Paperwork Reduction Staff, Office of Strategic Operations and 
Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2020-08275 Filed 4-17-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P