E8-30160. 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 Provider Cost Report Reimbursement Questionnaire; Use: Form CMS-339 must be completed by all providers that submit full cost reports to the Medicare intermediary under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act. It is designed to answer pertinent questions about key reimbursement concepts found in the cost report and to gather information necessary to support certain financial and statistical entries on the cost report. The questionnaire is used by the Medicare intermediaries as a tool to help them arrive at a prompt and equitable settlement of all of the various types of provider cost reports (hospitals, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), home health agencies (HHAs), etc.) and sometimes preclude the need for a comprehensive on-site audit. Form Number: CMS-339 (OMB# 0938-0301); Frequency: Annually; Affected Public: Business or other for-profit and Not-for-profit institutions; Number of Respondents: 38,429; Total Annual Responses: 38,429; Total Annual Hours: 431,148.

2. Type of Information Collection Request: Extension of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: State Medicaid Drug Rebate; Use: Section 1927 of the Social Security Act requires each State Medicaid agency to report quarterly prescription drug utilization information to drug manufacturers and to CMS. As part of this information, the State Medicaid agencies are required to report the total Medicaid rebate amount they claim they are owed by each drug manufacturer for each covered prescription drug product each quarter. Form Number: CMS-R-144 and CMS-368 (OMB# 0938-0582); Frequency: Quarterly; Affected Public: State, Local or Tribal Governments; Number of Respondents: 51; Total Annual Responses: 204; Total Annual Hours: 9,389.

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 February 17, 2009:

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: December 12, 2008.

Michelle Shortt,

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