E9-3152. 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: Extension of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Medicare Program; Conditions for Payment of Power Mobility Devices, including Power Wheelchairs and Power-Operated Vehicles; Use: CMS is renewing our request for approval for the collection requirements associated with the final rule, CMS-3017-F (71 FR 17021), which was published on April 5, 2006 and became effective on June 5, 2006. The regulation CMS-3017-F finalized provisions set forth in the interim final regulation (70 FR 50940) published on August 26, 2005. This final rule conforms our regulations to section 302(a)(2)(E)(iv) of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003. This rule defines the term power mobility devices (PMDs) as power wheelchairs and power operated vehicles (POVs or scooters). It sets forth revised conditions for Medicare payment of PMDs and defines who may prescribe PMDs. This rule also requires a face-to-face examination of the beneficiary by the physician or treating practitioner, a written prescription, and receipt of pertinent parts of the medical record by the supplier within 45 days after the face-to-face examination that the durable medical equipment (DME) suppliers maintain in their records and make available to CMS and its agents upon request. Finally, this rule discusses CMS' policy on documentation that may be requested by CMS and its agents to support a Medicare claim for payment.

Since the implementation of regulation CMS-3017-F, there have been no new requirements that have necessitated changes to any burden. The change in total burden is attributable to an estimate of claims for PMD that were higher than the estimate of claims calculated for this PRA package. For example, last time CMS calculated burden estimates associated with this regulation to be 243,000 claims. For this package, CMS estimates that 240,325 claims will be submitted for payment in 2009. This translates into 48,065 hours instead of 48,600 hours, resulting in a difference of 535 hours less burden than originally estimated. Form Number: CMS-10116 (OMB# 0938-0971); Frequency: Occasionally; Affected Public: Private Sector; Number of Respondents: 89,411; Total Annual Responses: 240,325; Total Annual Hours: 48,065.

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 April 14, 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: February 6, 2009.

Michelle Shortt,

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