2019-25717. Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid 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 December 27, 2019.

ADDRESSES:

When commenting on the proposed information collections, please reference the document identifier or OMB control number. To be assured consideration, comments and recommendations must be received by the OMB desk officer via one of the following transmissions:

OMB, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: CMS Desk Officer, Fax Number: [phone] OR, Email: [e-mail].

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.

1. Email your request, including your address, phone number, OMB number, and CMS document identifier, to [e-mail].

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 with change of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) 2020 Audit Protocol; Use: Sections 1894(e)(4) and 1934(e)(4) of the Act and the implementing regulations at 42 CFR 460.190 and 460.192 mandate that CMS, in conjunction with the SAA, audit PACE organizations (POs) annually for the first 3 years (during the trial period), and then at least every 2 years following the trial period. The information gathered during this audit will be used by the Medicare Parts C and D Oversight and Enforcement Group (MOEG) within the Center for Medicare (CM) and CMS Regional Offices, as well as the SAA, to assess PO's compliance with PACE program requirements. If outliers or other data anomalies are detected, CMS' Regional Offices will work in collaboration with MOEG and other divisions within CMS for follow-up and resolution. Additionally, POs will receive the audit results, and will be required to implement corrective action to correct any identified deficiencies.

CMS currently uses 18 data collection instruments for conducting PACE audits. These instruments are categorized as a PACE audit process and data request, a questionnaire, a pre-audit issue summary, a Root Cause Analysis template and 16 impact analyses templates. Beginning in audit year 2020, the number of data collection tools will increase from 18 to the following 22 documents. The data collected with the data request tools included in this package allow CMS to conduct a comprehensive review of PACE organizations' compliance in accordance with specific federal regulatory requirements.

CMS developed and implemented a revised PACE audit protocol. The audit protocol was designed to account for the continued growth of the PACE program and CMS' commitment to a more targeted, data-driven and outcomes-based audit approach, focused on high-risk areas that have the greatest potential for participant harm. Form Number: CMS-10630 (OMB control number: 0938-1327); Frequency: Yearly; Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal Governments; Number of Respondents: 35; Total Annual Responses: 735; Total Annual Hours: 42,000. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Caroline Zeman at 410 786-0116.)

2. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Medicare Enrollment Application—Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) Suppliers; Use: The CMS-855S is submitted by an applicant to the National Supplier Clearinghouse Medicare Administrative Contractor (NSC MAC) to initially apply for a Medicare billing number, and thereafter to add a new business location, revalidate Medicare enrollment, reactivate Medicare enrollment, to report a change to current Medicare enrollment information, changing the tax identification number, and to voluntary terminate the supplier's Medicare enrollment, as applicable. It is used by new applicants as well as suppliers already enrolled in Medicare but need to submit the form for a reason other than initial enrollment into the Medicare program. Form Number: CMS-855S (OMB control number: 0938-1056); Frequency: Yearly; Affected Public: Private Sector, Business or other for-profits and Not-for-profit institutions; Number of Respondents: 135,351; Total Annual Responses: 44,757; Total Annual Hours: 265,471. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Kim McPhillips at 410-786-5374.)

Dated: November 21, 2019.

William N. Parham, III,

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