2023-00879. Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION:

Notice.

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 February 17, 2023.

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.

To obtain copies of a supporting statement and any related forms for the proposed collection(s) summarized in this notice, please access the CMS PRA website by copying and pasting the following web address into your web browser: https://www.cms.gov/​Regulations-and-Guidance/​Legislation/​PaperworkReductionActof1995/​PRA-Listing.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

William Parham at [phone].

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 collection; Title of Information Collection: Home Health Agency Survey and Deficiencies Report; Use: This is a request to revise form CMS-1572 by adding fillable text or check blocks to each data field, thus converting it to a fillable .pdf format. A previous version of the CMS-1572 form had been in a fillable format. However, when it was revised in the past, it was placed into a non-fillable format. We also added a new selection to item #7. The CMS-1572 form is used by State Survey Agencies (SAs) when surveying Home Health Agencies (HHAs) and to collect information about an HHA. These regulations were created by CMS under the authority of sections 1861(o) and 1891 of the Social Security Act (“the Act”).

In the Medicare and Medicaid programs, CMS is responsible for developing Conditions of Participation (CoPs) that facilities must meet to become eligible to receive Medicare payments. State survey agencies (SAs) conduct on-site surveys of Home Health Agencies (HHAs) to ensure that HHA facilities are in compliance with these requirements.

Surveys of HHA providers are intended to ensure and strengthen patient health and safety, to enhance quality of care by emphasizing outcomes rather than process, to implement the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1987 (OBRA 87), and to achieve more effective compliance with Federal requirements. The CMS-1572 HHA survey form reflects this fundamental change and directs surveyors to observe and monitor the provision of care in the home setting. HHA surveyors use the CMS-1572 form to assist and direct them in evaluating important information relating to the quality of services provided HHAs in the home setting. Moreover, the CMS-1572 form represents a deficiency-based approach to evaluating and reporting compliance. Form Number: CMS-1572 (OMB control number: 0938-0355); Frequency: Yearly; Affected Public: State, Local or Tribal Government; Number of Respondents: 3,833; Total Annual Responses: 3,833; Total Annual Hours: 1,917. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Caroline Gallaher at 410-786-8705.)

Dated: January 12, 2023.

William N. Parham, III,

Director, Paperwork Reduction Staff, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs.