E7-25289. 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 currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Independent Rural Health Center/Freestanding Federally Qualified Health Center Cost Report and Supporting Regulations 42 CFR 413.20 AND 42 CFR 413.24; Use: Providers of service in the Medicare program are required to submit annual information to achieve reimbursement for health care services rendered to Medicare beneficiaries. The Form CMS-222 cost report is needed to determine the amount of reasonable cost due to the providers for furnishing medical services to Medicare beneficiaries; Form Number: CMS-222 (OMB# 0938-0107); Frequency: Yearly; Affected Public: Business or other for-profit and Not-for-profit institutions; Number of Respondents: 3,159; Total Annual Responses: 3,159; Total Annual Hours: 157,950.

2. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Survey Tool for http://www.medicare.gov and http://www.cms.hhs.gov;​; Use: The purpose of this submission is to request a revision of 0938-0756 (CMS-R-268) to continue to collect information from Internet users as they exit from the Websites Medicare.gov and CMS.hhs.gov. As part of the revised collection we are combining the content from the collection 0938-0900 that was discontinued on 5/31/2007. The packages are being combined to eliminate a duplication of effort. We are requesting a three-year clearance, so that the feedback received through the survey can be used continually to update and improve the sites. To ensure that we gather information about user reactions to the Websites, we have developed a survey tool that users can complete when they exit either site or by accessing a link on the bottom bar on the page. The responses on this survey tool will help CMS to make appropriate changes to the Websites in the future. The survey tool contains questions about the information that visitors are seeking from the sites, the degree to which either site was useful to them, the improvements that they would like to see in the sites, and their general comments. Form Number: CMS-R-268 (OMB# 0938-0756); Frequency: On occasion; Affected Public: Individuals and households, Private sector—Business or other for-profit; Number of Respondents: 7,000; Total Annual Responses: 7,000; Total Annual Hours: 1,167.

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 February 26, 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: December 20, 2007.

Michelle Shortt,

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