2011-737. 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: Extension of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: CMS Survey Tool for http://www.cms.gov and http://www.medicare.gov;​; Use: The purpose of this submission is to continue to collect information from Internet users as they exit from the Web sites Medicare.gov and CMS.gov. To ensure that we gather information about user reactions to the Web sites, we have developed a survey tool that users can complete when they exit either site or by accessing a link on the bottom bar on the page. The responses on this survey tool will help CMS to make appropriate changes to the Web sites in the future. The survey tool contains questions about the information that visitors are seeking from the sites, the degree to which either site was useful to them, the improvements that they would like to see in the sites, and their general comments. Form Number: CMS-R-268 (OMB# 0938-0756); Frequency: Yearly; Affected Public: Individuals and households, Private sector—Business or other for-profit; Number of Respondents: 7,000; Total Annual Responses: 9,100; Total Annual Hours: 1,167. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Matthew Aiken at 410-786-1029. For all other issues call 410-786-1326.)

2. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Medicare Self-Referral Disclosure Protocol; Use: Section 6409 of the ACA requires the Secretary to establish and post information on the CMS' public Internet Web site concerning a self-referral disclosure protocol (SRDP) that sets forth a process for providers of services and suppliers to self-disclose actual or potential violations of section 1877 of the Act. In addition, section 6409(b) of the ACA gives the Secretary authority to reduce the amounts due and owing for the violations. This information collection request is necessary in order to inform the public of the process and the types of information needed to participate in the SRDP.

The SRDP is a voluntary self-disclosure instrument that will allow providers of services and suppliers to disclose actual or potential violations of section 1877 of the Act. CMS will analyze the disclosed conduct to determine compliance with section 1877 of the Act and the application of the exceptions to the physician self-referral prohibition. In addition, the authority granted to the Secretary under section 6409(b) of the ACA, and subsequently delegated to CMS, may be used to reduce the amount due and owing for violations. Form Number: CMS-10328 (OMB#: 0938-1106; Frequency: Once; Affected Public: Private Sector, Business and other for-profit and not-for-profit institutions; Number of Respondents: 50; Total Annual Responses: 50; Total Annual Hours: 1,175. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Ronke Fabayo at 410-786-4460. 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 at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/​PaperworkReductionActof1995,, or e-mail your request, including your address, phone number, OMB number, and CMS document identifier, to [e-mail], or call the Reports Clearance Office on [phone].

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 March 15, 2011:

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: January 7, 2011.

Martique Jones,

Director, Regulations Development Group, Division B, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs.