2024-12585. Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Health and Human Services (HHS).

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 (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 a second opportunity for public comment on the notice. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the burden estimate 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 on the collection(s) of information must be received by the OMB desk officer by July 10, 2024.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function.

To obtain copies of a supporting statement and any related forms for the proposed collection(s) summarized in this notice, please access the CMS PRA website by copying and pasting the following web address into your web browser: https://www.cms.gov/​Regulations-and-Guidance/​Legislation/​PaperworkReductionActof1995/​PRA-Listing.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

William Parham at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (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 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)) requires Federal agencies to publish a 30-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 that summarizes the following proposed collection(s) of information for public comment:

1. Type of Information Collection Request: Extension of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: The International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-PCS); Use: The HIPAA Act of 1996 required CMS to adopt standards for coding systems that are used for reporting health care transactions. The Transactions and Code Sets final rule (65 FR 50312) published in the Federal Register on August 17, 2000 adopted the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) Volumes 1 and 2 for diagnosis codes and ICD-9-CM Volume 3 for inpatient hospital services and procedures as standard code sets for use by covered entities (health plans, health care clearinghouses, and those health care providers who transmit any health information in electronic form in connection with a transaction for which the Secretary has adopted a standard). ICD-9-CM Volumes 1 and 2, and ICD-9-CM Volume 3 were already widely used in administrative transactions when we promulgated the August 17, 2000 final rule, and we decided that adopting these existing code sets would be less disruptive for covered entities than modified or new code sets.

When a request is submitted in MEARIS^TM, the Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs) and Coding Team in the Division of Coding and DRGs (DCDRG) have instant access to the request and accompanying materials to facilitate a more-timely review of the proposed updates or changes. Upon receipt of a procedure code request, CMS immediately acknowledges receipt of the request and communicates to the requestor that additional follow up will occur once an analyst has been assigned. In addition, CMS provides information via email communication in a letter to each requestor outlining the meeting process. CMS holds standard pre-meeting conference calls with requestors to discuss their procedure code topic request in more detail in advance of the ICD-10 C&M Committee Meetings. Also, prior to the committee meeting, we make the procedure code topic meeting materials publicly available, commonly referred to as the “Agenda packet” on our website at: https://www.cms.gov/​medicare/​coding-billing/​icd-10-codes/​icd-10-coordination-maintenance-committee-materials. Lastly, once the meeting has concluded, CMS sends a follow-up letter to the requestor informing them of next steps in the process so they can anticipate what to expect. Form Number: CMS-10774 (OMB control number: 0938-1409); Frequency: Yearly; Affected Public: Private Sector; Business or other for-profit and not-for-profit institutions; Number of Respondents: 80; Total Annual Responses: 80; Total Annual Hours: 800. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Andrea Hazeley at 410-786-3543.)

2. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Triennial Network Adequacy Review for Medicare Advantage Organizations and 1876 Cost Plans; Use: This collection of information request is authorized under section 1852(d)(1) of the Social Security Act which permits an MA organization to select the providers from which an enrollee may receive covered benefits, provided that the MA organization makes such benefits available and accessible in the service area with promptness and in a manner which assures continuity in the provision of benefits as defined in §§ 422.112(a)(1)(i) and 422.114(a)(3)(ii) (under part 422, subpart C—benefits and beneficiary protections) and §§ 417.414(b) and 417.416(a) and (e) (under part 417, subpart J—Qualifying Conditions for Medicare Contracts).

The information will be collected by CMS through HPMS. CMS measures access to covered services through the establishment of quantitative standards for a predefined list of provider and facility specialty types. These quantitative standards are collectively referred to as the network adequacy criteria. Network adequacy is assessed at the county level and CMS requires that organizations contract with a sufficient number of providers and facilities to ensure that at least 90 percent of enrollees within a county can access care within specific travel time and distance maximums for Large Metro and Metro county types and that at least 85 percent of enrollees within a county can access care within specific travel time and distance maximums for Micro, Rural and CEAC (Counties with Extreme Access Considerations county types. Form Number: CMS-10636 (OMB control number: 0938-1346); Frequency: Yearly; Affected Public: Private Sector; Business or other for-profit; Number of Respondents: 502; Total Annual Responses: 2,753; Total Annual Hours: 27,470. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Amber Casserly at 410-786-5530.)

William N. Parham, III,

Director, Division of Information Collections and Regulatory Impacts, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs.