2020-23219. 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 November 20, 2020.

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, 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.

2. Call the Reports Clearance Office at [phone].

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: Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) Application Form and Supporting Regulations; Use: Section 353 (b) of the Public Health Service Act specifies that the laboratory must submit an application in such form and manner as the Secretary shall prescribe that describes the characteristics of the laboratory and examinations and procedures performed by the laboratory. The application must be completed by entities performing laboratory's testing specimens for diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information is vital to the certification process. In this revision, the majority of changes were minor changes to the form and accompanying instructions to facilitate the completion and data entry of the form. We anticipate that the changes will not increase the time to complete the form. Form Number: CMS-116 (OMB control number: 0938-0581); Frequency: Biennially and Occasionally; Affected Public: Private Sector—Business or other for-profits and Not-for-profit institutions; Number of Respondents: 52,140; Total Annual Responses: 52,140; Total Annual Hours: 52,140. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Kathleen Todd at 410-786-3385.)

2. Type of Information Collection Request: Reinstatement without change of a previously approved collection of information; Title of Information Collection: State Medicaid Eligibility Quality Control Sampling Plan; Use: The Medicaid Eligibility Quality Control (MEQC) program provides states and the District of Columbia a unique opportunity to improve the quality and accuracy of their Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) eligibility determinations. The MEQC program is intended to complement the Payment Error Rate Measurement (PERM) program by ensuring state operations make accurate and timely eligibility determinations so that Medicaid and CHIP services are appropriately provided to eligible individuals. Current regulations require that states review equal numbers of active cases and negative case actions (i.e., denials and terminations) through random sampling. Active case reviews are conducted to determine whether or not the sampled cases meet all current criteria and requirements for Medicaid or CHIP eligibility. Negative case reviews are conducted to determine if Medicaid and CHIP denials and terminations were appropriate and undertaken in accordance with due process. Form Number: CMS-317 (OMB control number: 0938-0146); Frequency: Occasionally; Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal Governments; Number of Respondents: 10; Total Annual Responses: 20; Total Annual Hours: 520. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Camiel Rowe at 410-786-0069.)

Dated: October 15, 2020.

William N. Parham, III,

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