E9-26829. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 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) 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: Extension of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Medicare Advantage Appeals and Grievance Data Disclosure Requirements (42 CFR 422.111); Use: Medicare Advantage (MA) organizations must disclose information pertaining to the number of disputes, and their disposition in the aggregate, with the categories of grievances and appeals to any individual eligible to elect an MA organization who requests this information. Medicare demonstrations also are required to conform to MA appeals regulations and thus are included in the count of organizations affected by this requirement. MA organizations also are required by the statute and the MA regulation to provide aggregate grievance data to MA eligible beneficiaries upon request. MA eligible individuals will use this information to help them make informed decisions about their organization's performance in the area of appeals and grievances. Form Number: CMS-R-0282 (OMB#: 0938-0778); Frequency: Reporting—Semi-annually and Yearly; Affected Public: Business or other for-profits and Not-for-profit institutions; Number of Respondents: 629; Total Annual Responses: 47,175; Total Annual Hours: 4,931.36. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Stephanie Simons at 206-615-2420. For all other issues call 410-786-1326.)

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

In commenting on the proposed information collections please reference the document identifier or OMB control number. To be assured consideration, comments and recommendations must be submitted in one of the following ways by January 5, 2010:

1. Electronically. You may submit your comments electronically to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for “Comment or Submission” or “More Search Options” to find the information collection document(s) accepting comments.

2. By regular mail. You may mail written comments to the following address: CMS, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs, Division of Regulations Development, Attention: Document Identifier/OMB Control Number, Room C4-26-05, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850.

Dated: October 30, 2009.

Michelle Shortt,

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