2010-31599. 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: Application for Hospital Insurance; Use: Individuals who are not entitled to or eligible for railroad retirement board (RRB) or Social Security Administration benefits must file an application for Part A. This group includes individuals who defer filing an application for monthly benefits, individuals who are transitionally insured, government employees who pay only the Hospital Insurance portion of the Federal Insurance Contributions Act tax and individuals eligible for Premium Part A for the Working Disabled. The Application for Hospital Insurance-CMS-18F5 was designed to capture all the information needed to make a determination of an individual's entitlement to Part A and Supplementary Medical Insurance (Part B). Form Number: CMS-18F5 (OMB#: 0938-0251); Frequency: Once; Affected Public: Individuals or households; Number of Respondents: 50,000; Total Annual Responses: 50,000; Total Annual Hours: 12,495. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Naomi Rappaport at 410-786-2175. For all other issues call 410-786-1326.)

2. Type of Information Collection Request: Extension of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) of 1988 and Supporting Regulations in 42 CFR 493.1-.2001; Use: The information collection requirements in 42 CFR part 493 outline the requirements necessary to determine an entity's compliance with CLIA. CLIA requires laboratories that perform testing on human beings to meet performance requirements (quality standards) in order to be certified by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). DHHS conducts inspections to determine a laboratory's compliance with CLIA requirements. CLIA implements the certificate, laboratory standards and inspection requirements; Form Number: CMS-R-26 (OMB#: 0938-0612); Frequency: Occasionally; Affected Public: Federal Government; State, Local, or Tribal Governments; Private Sector: Business or other for-profits and not-for-profit institutions; Number of Respondents: 168,688; Total Annual Responses: 756,240; Total Annual Hours: 11,363,280. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Raelene Perfetto at 410-786-6876. 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 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 by the OMB desk officer at the address below, no later than 5 p.m. on January 18, 2011.

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

Dated: December 10, 2010.

Martique Jones,

Director, Regulations Development Division-B, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs.