2011-10366. Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Centers for Medicare & 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 & Medicaid Services (CMS), 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 function; (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 currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS); Use: In October 2003, the Secretary of Health and Human Services delegated the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) authority to maintain and distribute HCPCS Level II Codes. As a result, the National Panel was delineated and CMS continued with the decision-making process under its current structure, the CMS HCPCS Workgroup (herein referred to as “the Workgroup”. CMS' HCPCS Workgroup is an internal workgroup comprised of representatives of the major components of CMS, and private insurers, as well as other consultants from pertinent Federal agencies. Currently the application intake is paper-based. However, the process has grown and the HCPCS staff is exploring electronic processes for the collection and storage of applications. We have received feedback on the nature of the application; and have streamlined the form into a user-friendly application. The content of the material is the same, but the questions have been refined in accordance with comments received from industry members; and the level of necessity of the information required to render quality coding decision as determined by the CMS workgroup. The information on the form is used to update the HCPCS code set. All information is received and distributed to CMS' HCPCS workgroup and is reviewed and discussed at workgroup meetings. In turn, CMS' HCPCS workgroup reaches a decision as to whether a change should be made to codes in the HCPCS code set. The respondent who submits the application form can be anyone who has an interest in obtaining a code or modifying an existing code. However, respondents are usually manufacturers of products, or consultants on behalf of the manufacturer. Form Number: CMS-10224 (OMB#: 0938-1042); Frequency: Occasionally; Affected Public: Private sector, business and other for-profit and not-for-profit institutions; Number of Respondents: 300; Total Annual Responses: 300; Total Annual Hours: 3300. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Felicia Eggleston at 410-786-9287 or Lori Anderson at 410-786-6190. For all other issues call 410-786-1326.)

To be assured consideration, comments and recommendations for the proposed information collections must be received by the OMB desk officer at the address below, no later than 5 p.m. on May 31, 2011.

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

Dated: April 25, 2011.

Martique Jones,

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