2015-32435. Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is announcing an opportunity for the public to comment on CMS' intention to collect information from the public. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension or reinstatement of an existing collection of information, and to allow a second opportunity for public comment on the notice. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the 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.

DATES:

Comments on the collection(s) of information must be received by the OMB desk officer by January 27, 2016.

ADDRESSES:

When commenting on the proposed information collections, please reference the document identifier or OMB control number. To be assured consideration, comments and recommendations must be received by the OMB desk officer via one of the following transmissions:

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

To obtain copies of a supporting statement and any related forms for the proposed collection(s) summarized in this notice, you may make your request using one of following:

1. Access CMS' Web site address at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/​PaperworkReductionActof1995.

2. Email your request, including your address, phone number, OMB number, and CMS document identifier, to [e-mail].

3. Call the Reports Clearance Office at [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Reports Clearance Office at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. The term “collection of information” is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c) and includes agency requests or requirements that members of the public submit reports, keep records, or provide information to a third party. Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)) requires federal agencies to publish a 30-day notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension or reinstatement of an existing collection of information, before submitting the collection to OMB for approval. To comply with this requirement, CMS is publishing this notice that summarizes the following proposed collection(s) of information for public comment:

1. Type of Information Collection Request: Extension of a currently approved collection;

Title of Information Collection: Hospital Wage Index Occupational Mix Survey and Supporting Regulations in 42 CFR, Section 412.64; Use: Section 304(c) of Public Law 106-554 amended section 1886(d) (3) (E) of the Social Security Act to require CMS to collect data every three years on the occupational mix of employees for each short-term, acute care hospital participating in the Medicare program, in order to construct an occupational mix adjustment to the wage index, for application beginning October 1, 2004 (the FY 2005 wage index). The purpose of the occupational mix adjustment is to control for the effect of hospitals' employment choices on the wage index. For example, hospitals may choose to employ different combinations of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, nursing aides, and medical assistants for the purpose of providing nursing care to their patients. The varying labor costs associated with these choices reflect hospital management decisions rather than geographic differences in the costs of labor. The FY 2016 survey will provide for the collection of hospital-specific wages and hours data for calendar year 2016 (that is, payroll periods ending between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016). The 2016 Medicare occupational mix survey will be applied beginning with the FY 2019 wage index. Form Number: CMS-10079 (OMB control number: 0938-0907); Frequency: Yearly; Affected Public: Private sector (Business or other for-profits and Not-for-profit institutions), State, Local and Tribal Governments; Number of Respondents: 3,400; Total Annual Responses: 3,400; Total Annual Hours: 1,632,000. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Noel Manlove at 410-786-5161.)

2. Type of Information Collection Request: New collection (Request for a new OMB control number); Title of Information Collection: Home Health Face-to-Face Encounter Clinical Templates; Use: The Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services (CMS) is requesting the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of the collection of data required to support the eligibility of Medicare home health services. Home health services are covered under the Hospital Insurance (Part A) and Supplemental Medical Insurance (Part B) benefits of the Medicare program. It consists of part-time, medically necessary skilled care (nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language therapy) that is ordered by a physician. The CMS has developed a list of clinical elements within a suggested electronic clinical template that would allow electronic health record vendors to create prompts to assist physicians when documenting the HH face-to-face encounter for Medicare purposes. Once completed by the physician, the resulting progress note or clinic note would be part of the medical record. The primary users of these new clinical templates will be physicians and/or allowed non-physician practitioners (NPPs). The templates will help users to capture the necessary information needed to complete the face-to-face encounter documentation. This will help physicians and/or allowed NPPs comply with Medicare policy requirements, thereby reducing the possibility of a home health claim not being paid because of failure to meet Medicare requirements. It should be noted that this information collection request has been revised with non-substantive changes since the publication of the 60-day (80 FR 48320) notice. Form Number: CMS-10564 (OMB control number: 0938-New); Frequency: Occasionally; Affected Public: Private sector (Business or other For-profit and Not-for-profit institutions); Number of Respondents: 2,926,420; Total Annual Responses: 2,926,420; Total Annual Hours: 1,220,317. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Kristal Vines at 410-786-0119).

Dated: December 21, 2015.

William N. Parham, III,

Director, Paperwork Reduction Staff, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs.