2018-02466. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

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 (the 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 60 days for public comment on the proposed action. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding our burden estimates or any other aspect of this collection of information, including the necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the agency's functions, the accuracy of the estimated burden, ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected, and the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology to minimize the information collection burden.

DATES:

Comments must be received by April 9, 2018.

ADDRESSES:

When commenting, please reference the document identifier or OMB control number. To be assured consideration, comments and recommendations must be submitted in any one of the following ways:

1. Electronically. You may send 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) that are 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.

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' website 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:

William Parham at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Contents

This notice sets out a summary of the use and burden associated with the following information collections. More detailed information can be found in each collection's supporting statement and associated materials (see ADDRESSES).

CMS-10417 Medicare Fee-for-Service Early Review of Medical Records

Under the 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 requires federal agencies to publish a 60-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.

Information Collection

1. Type of Information Collection Request: Extension without change of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Medicare Fee-for-Service Early Review of Medical Records; Use: The Medical Review program is designed to prevent improper payments in the Medicare FFS program. Whenever possible, MACs are encouraged to automate this process; however it may require the evaluation of medical records and related documents to determine whether Medicare claims were billed in compliance with coverage, coding, payment, and billing policies.

The information required under this collection is requested by Medicare contractors to determine proper payment, or if there is a suspicion of fraud. Medicare contractors request the information from providers/suppliers submitting claims for payment when data analysis indicates aberrant billing patterns or other information which may present a vulnerability to the Medicare program. Extensive instructions to CMS contractors on medical review processes and procedures are contained in CMS' Program Integrity Manual, 100-08 which can be found at https://www.cms.gov/​Regulations-and-Guidance/​Guidance/​Manuals/​internet-Only-Manuals-IOMs-Items/​CMS019033.html. Form Number: CMS-10417 (OMB control number: 0938-0969); Frequency: Occasionally; Affected Public: Private Sector (Business or other for-profits; Not-for-profit institutions; Number of Respondents: 2,410,278; Total Annual Responses: 2,410,278; Total Annual Hours: 1,197,189. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Daniel Schwartz at 410-786-4197.)

Dated: February 2, 2018.

William N. Parham, III,

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