2010-11776. Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; 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), 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 a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Notification of Fiscal Intermediaries and CMS of co-located Medicare providers and Supporting Regulations in 42 CFR 412.22 and 412.533; Use: Many long-term care hospitals (LTCHs) are co-located with other Medicare providers (acute care hospitals, Independent Rehabilitation Facilities (IRFs), Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs), psychiatric facilities), which leads to potential gaming of the Medicare system based on patient shifting. CMS is requiring LTCHs to notify fiscal intermediaries K (FIs), Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) and CMS of co-located providers and establish policies to limit payment abuse that will be based on FIs tracking patient movement among these co-located providers. Form Number: CMS-10088 (OMB#: 0938-0897); Frequency: Occasionally; Affected Public: Private Sector, Business or other for-profits and Not-for-profit institutions; Number of Respondents: 25; Total Annual Responses: 25; Total Annual Hours: 6.25. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Judith Richter at 410-786-2590. For all other issues call 410-786-1326.)

2. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) Client Contact Form, Public and Media Form, and Resource Report Form; Form Number: CMS-10028 (OMB#: 0938-0850); Use: The current Client Contact form, Public and Media Activity Report form, and Resource Report have been used to collect data to evaluate program effectiveness and improvement. In addition, the 2007-2009 State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) Performance Assessment Workgroup (comprised of SHIP Directors and representatives from external organizations such as the Administration on Aging), in a report to CMS, recommended that changes be made to the forms in order to enhance the ability to measure performance and program evaluation for each SHIP; add additional data collection elements as requested by Congress and SHIPs (Limited English Proficiency and Dual Mentally Disabled); and reduce the burden of data submission by counselor as a result of the ability to pre-populate certain data cells. The information collected is used to fulfill the reporting requirements described in Section 4360(f) of OBRA 1990. Also, the data will be accumulated and analyzed to measure SHIP performance in order to determine whether and to what extent the SHIPs have met the goals of improved CMS customer service to beneficiaries and better understanding by beneficiaries of their health insurance options. Further, the information will be used in the administration of the grants, to measure performance and appropriate use of the funds by the state grantees, to identify gaps in services and technical support needed by SHIPs, and to identify and share best practices. Frequency: Yearly; Affected Public: State, Tribal and Local governments; Number of Respondents: 20,778; Total Annual Responses: 1,672,454; Total Annual Hours: 139,475. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Barbara Childers at 410-786-7610. 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 June 17, 2010: OMB, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: CMS Desk Officer, Fax Number: [phone], E-mail: [e-mail].

Michelle Shortt,

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