E6-22571. Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; 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), Department of Health and Human Services, 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 function; (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: Certification of Medicaid Eligibility Control (MEQC) Payment Error Rates and Supporting Regulations at 42 CFR 431.800-431.865; Use: Medicaid Eligibility Quality Control (MEQC) is operated by Title XIX agencies to monitor and improve the administration of its Medicaid program. The traditional MEQC program is based on State reviews of Medicaid beneficiaries identified through a statistically reliable statewide sample of cases selected from the eligibility files. These reviews are conducted to determine whether the sampled cases meet applicable Title XIX eligibility requirements. State agencies are required to submit the Payment Error Rate form to their respective CMS Regional Office. Regional Office staff will review these forms for completeness and will forward these forms to central office for compilation of error rate charts for projected quarterly withholdings and/or fiscal disallowances. Form Number: CMS-301 (OMB#: 0938-0246); Frequency: Recordkeeping and Reporting—Semi-annually; Affected Public: State, Local or Tribal Governments; Number of Respondents: 51; Total Annual Responses: 102; Total Annual Hours: 22,515.

To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access CMS Web site address 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].

Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collections must be mailed or faxed within 30 days of this notice directly to the OMB desk officer: OMB Human Resources and Housing Branch, Attention: Carolyn Lovett, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503. Fax Number: [phone].

Dated: December 27, 2006.

Michelle Shortt,

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