02-7209. Emergency Clearance: Public Information Collection Requirements Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

AGENCY:

Centers for Medicare and 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 and Medicaid Services (CMS) (formerly known as the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA)), Department of Health and Human Services, 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.

We are, however, requesting an emergency review of the information collection referenced below. In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we have submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) the following requirements for emergency review. We are requesting an emergency review because the collection of this information is needed before the expiration of the normal time limits under OMB's regulations at 5 CFR part 1320. Due to the events of September 11, 2001, the timing of this proposed information collection has been negatively affected. We are requesting Emergency OMB review for this supplement since this is a beneficial survey and it can do no harm if OMB acted upon this sooner than the normal timeframe. The 60-day Federal Register notice was published on January 8, 2002, for which we solicited public comment. CMS is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by April 25, 2002, with a 180-day approval period. Written comments and recommendations will be accepted from the public if received by the individuals designated below by April 22, 2002.

Type of Information Collection Request: New collection; Title of Information Collection: Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey—Supplement on Patient Activation; Form No.: CMS-P-0015SPA (OMB# 0938-NEW); Use: A primary theme of the NMEP education efforts has been to help Medicare beneficiaries make choices. Simply providing uniform information to an undifferentiated audience is not sufficient. CMS needs to know whether beneficiaries have the communication skills, motivation and basic knowledge of their own health status to be partners in their own health care. The purpose of this survey supplement is to assess the degree to which Medicare beneficiaries participate actively in their own health care decisions.; Frequency: One-time; Affected Public: Individuals or households; Number of Respondents: 16,000; Total Annual Responses: 16,000; Total Annual Hours: 2,666.

To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access CMS's Web Site address at http://www.hcfa.gov/​regs/​prdact95.htm,, 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].

Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the burden or any other aspect of these collections of information requirements. However, as noted above, comments on these information collection and recordkeeping requirements must be mailed and/or faxed to the designees referenced below, by April 22, 2002: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Office of Information Services, Security and Standards Group, Division of CMS Enterprise Standards, Room N2-14-26, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850. Fax Number: [phone]. Attn: Dawn Willinghan, CMS-P-0015SPA; and, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503, Fax Number: [phone] or [phone], Attn: Allison Eydt, CMS Desk Officer.

Dated: March 20, 2002.

Julie Brown,

Acting, CMS Reports Clearance Officer, CMS, Office of Information Services, Security and Standards Group, Division of CMS Enterprise Standards.