E9-7498. 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: Reinstatement without change of a previously approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Certification Statement for Electronic File Interchange Organizations (EFIOs) Use: Health care providers can currently obtain a National Provider Identifier (NPI) via a paper application or over the Internet through the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES). These applications must be submitted individually, on a per-provider basis. The Electronic File Interchange (EFI) process allows provider-designated electronic file interchange organizations (EFIOs) to capture multiple providers' NPI application information on a single electronic file for submission to NPPES. This process is also referred to as “bulk enumeration.” To ensure that the EFIO has the authority to act on behalf of each provider and complies with other Federal requirements, an authorized official of the EFIO must sign a certification statement and mail it to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Form Number: CMS-10175 (OMB# 0938-0984); Frequency: Once; Affected Public: Private Sector—Business or other for-profits; Number of Respondents: 300; Total Annual Responses: 300; Total Annual Hours: 300. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Leslie Jones at 410-786-6599. 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 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].

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 4, 2009.

OMB, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs.

Attention: CMS Desk Officer.

Fax Number: [phone].

E-mail: [e-mail].

Dated: March 27, 2009.

Michelle Shortt,

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