E7-23164. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

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: Revision of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Electronic Health Record; Use: The purpose of this demonstration project is to reward the delivery of high-quality care supported by the adoption and use of electronic health records in small to medium-sized primary care physician practices. While this is separate and distinct from the Medicare Care Management Performance (MCMP) Demonstration, it expands upon the foundation created by the MCMP Demonstration, which was mandated by Section 649 of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003. The electronic health record demonstration will be operational for a 5-year period and will be operated under section 402 demonstration waiver authority. The information to be obtained as part of the application form is necessary to document basic information for physician practices that intend to participate in this demonstration initiative. Form Number: CMS-10165 (OMB#: 0938-0965); Frequency: Once; Affected Public: Private sector—Business or other for-profit; Number of Respondents: 2,400; Total Annual Responses: 2,400; Total Annual Hours: 520.

2. Type of Information Collection Request: Extension of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Hospital and Health Care Complexes Cost Report and supporting Regulations in 42 CFR 413.20 and 413.24; Use: This Cost Report Form is filed annually by freestanding providers participating in the Medicare program to effect year end cost settlement for providing services to Medicare beneficiaries. The CMS-2552-96 cost report is needed to determine the amount of reimbursable cost, based upon the cost limits, that is due these providers furnishing medical services to Medicare beneficiaries. Form Number: CMS-2552-96 (OMB #: 0938-0050); Frequency: Yearly; Affected Public: Private sector—Business or other for-profit and Not-for-profit institutions; Number of Respondents: 6,175; Total Annual Responses: 6,175; Total Annual Hours: 4,090,474.

3. Type of Information Collection Request: Extension of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Process and Information Required to Determine Eligibility of Drugs, Biologicals, and Radiopharmaceutical Agents for Transitional Pass-Through Status Under the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS); Use: Section 1833(t)(6) of the Social Security Act provides for temporary additional payments or “transitional pass-through payments” for certain drugs and biological agents. Interested parties such as hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and physicians can apply for transitional pass-through payment for drugs and biologicals used with services covered under the OPPS. CMS uses this information to determine if the criteria for making a transitional pass-through payment are met and if an interim Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) code for a new drug or biological is necessary. Form Number: CMS-10008 (OMB #: 0938-0802); Frequency: Once; Affected Public: Private sector—Business or other for-profit; Number of Respondents: 10; Total Annual Responses: 10; Total Annual Hours: 160.

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].

To be assured consideration, comments and recommendations for the proposed information collections must be received at the address below, no later than 5 p.m. on January 28, 2008.

CMS, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs, Division of Regulations Development—C, Attention: Bonnie L Harkless, Room C4-26-05, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850.

Dated: November 21, 2007.

Michelle Shortt,

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