2013-03059. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

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: Revision of a previously approved collection; Title of Information Collection: End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Network Semi-Annual Cost Report Forms and Supporting Regulations in 42 CFR section 405.2110 and 42 CFR 405.2112; Use: Section 1881(c) of the Social Security Act establishes End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Network contracts. The regulations found at 42 CFR 405.2110 and 405.2112 designated 18 ESRD Networks which are funded by renewable contracts. These contracts are on 3-year cycles. To better administer the program, CMS is requiring contractors to submit semi-annual cost reports. The purpose of the cost reports is to enable the ESRD Networks to report costs in a standardized manner. This will allow CMS to review, compare and project ESRD Network costs during the life of the contract. Since the last collection, the survey instrument has been revised. The burden has not changed. Form Number: CMS-685 (OMB#: 0938-0657); Frequency: Reporting—Semi-annually; Affected Public: Not-for-profit institutions; Number of Respondents: 18; Total Annual Responses: 36; Total Annual Hours: 108. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Benjamin Bernstein at 410-786-6570. For all other issues call 410-786-1326.)

2. Type of Information Collection Request: Reinstatement of a currently approved collection; Title: Medicare Program: Procedures for Making National Coverage Decisions; Use: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) revised the April 27, 1999 (64 FR 22619) notice and published a new notice on September 26, 2003 (68 FR 55634) that described the process we use to make Medicare coverage decisions including decisions regarding whether new technology and services can be covered. We have made changes to our internal procedures in response to the comments we received following publication of the 1999 notice and experience under our new process. Over the past several years, we received numerous suggestions to further revise our process to continue to make it more open, responsive, and understandable to the public. We share the goal of increasing public participation in the development of Medicare coverage issues. This will assist us in obtaining the information we require to make a national coverage determination in a timely manner and ensuring that the Medicare program continues to meet the needs of its beneficiaries. Form Number: CMS-R-290 (OCN: 0938-0776); Frequency: Annual; Affected Public: Private Sector: Business or other for-profits; Number of Respondents: 200; Total Annual Responses: 200; Total Annual Hours: 8,000. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Katherine Tillman at 410-786-9252. 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 Email 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 April 15, 2013:

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: February 6, 2013.

Martique Jones,

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