[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 248 (Thursday, December 30, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 74415-74416]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-28358]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-855O]


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

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Health and Human 
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 January 31, 2022.

ADDRESSES: 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.

[[Page 74416]]

    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: https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/PaperworkReductionActof1995/PRA-Listing.html.

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 of a currently 
approved information collection; Title of Information Collection: 
Medicare Registration Application; Use: Physicians and practitioners 
complete the Form CMS-855O (Medicare Enrollment Application--Enrollment 
for Eligible Ordering, Certifying Physicians and Other Eligible 
Professionals) if they are enrolling in Medicare not to obtain Medicare 
billing privileges but strictly to order, refer, or certify certain 
Medicare items and services. It is used by Medicare contractors to 
collect data that helps ensure the applicant has the necessary 
credentials to order and certify certain Medicare items and services.
    The MAC establishes Medicare Identification Numbers. The MACs store 
these numbers and information in CMS' Provider Enrollment, Chain and 
Ownership System (PECOS). The application is used by the CMS'' 
contractors to collect data ensures that the applicant has the 
necessary information for unique identification. The license numbers 
are validated against state licensing websites. All the license numbers 
are captured and stored in the MAC database. Social Security Numbers 
(SSNs) are validated against the Social Security Administration 
database (SSA) and only the valid entries are allowed to proceed in the 
process of getting a Medicare billing number. Correspondence address 
and contact information is captured to contact the provider/supplier.
    The collection and verification of this information defends and 
protects our beneficiaries from illegitimate providers/suppliers. These 
procedures also protect the Medicare Trust Fund against fraud. It 
gathers information that allow Medicare contractors to ensure that the 
physician or eligible professional is not sanctioned from the Medicare 
and/or Medicaid program(s), or debarred, or excluded from any other 
Federal agency or program. The data collected also ensures that the 
applicant has the necessary credentials to order and certify health 
care services. This is sole instrument implemented for this purpose. 
Form Number: CMS-855O (OMB Control Number: 0938-1135); Frequency: 
Occasionally; Affected Public: Private Sector (Business or other for-
profits), State, Local, or Tribal Governments; Number of Respondents: 
448,000; Number of Responses: 24,000; Total Annual Hours: 243,600. For 
questions regarding this collection contact Alisha Sanders (410) 786-
0671.

    Dated: December 27, 2021.
William N. Parham, III,
Director, Paperwork Reduction Staff, Office of Strategic Operations and 
Regulatory Affairs.
 [FR Doc. 2021-28358 Filed 12-29-21; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4120-01-P