2018-14077. Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid 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 30, 2018.

ADDRESSES:

When commenting on the proposed information collections, please reference the document identifier or OMB control number. To be assured consideration, comments and recommendations must be received by the OMB desk officer via one of the following transmissions:

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

To obtain copies of a supporting statement and any related forms for the proposed collection(s) summarized in this notice, you may make your request using one of following:

1. Access CMS' website address at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/​PaperworkReductionActof1995.

2. Email your request, including your address, phone number, OMB number, and CMS document identifier, to [e-mail].

3. Call the Reports Clearance Office at [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Reports Clearance Office 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: Medicare Credit Balance Reporting Requirements; Use: Quarterly credit balance reporting is needed to monitor and control the identification and timely collection of improper payments. Credit balances are mainly attributable to provider billing practices and cannot be eliminated by program functions; they will continue to occur. The OIG issued a Management Advisory Report (MAR) on their extended review of credit balances (See Attachment). They state that approximately 90 percent of credit balances result from providers: (1) Billing Medicare and a private insurer for the same service, (2) submitting duplicate billings for services in a manner which cannot be detected by system edits, and (3) billing for services not performed. The MAR recommends that CMS continue its plan of recovery by requiring hospitals to report Medicare credit balances to contractors on a quarterly basis. Form Number: CMS-838 (OMB control number: 0938-0600); Frequency: Quarterly; Affected Public: Private sector (Business or other For-profits); Number of Respondents: 52,582; Total Annual Responses: 210,328; Total Annual Hours: 630,984. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Anita Crosier at 410-786-0217).

2. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Annual Report on Home and Community Based Services Waivers and Supporting Regulations; Use: We use this report to compare actual data to the approved waiver estimates. In conjunction with the waiver compliance review reports, the information provided will be compared to that in the Medicaid Statistical Information System (MSIS) (CMS-R-284; OMB control number 0938-0345) report and FFP claimed on a state's Quarterly Expenditure Report (CMS-64; OMB control number 0938-1265), to determine whether to continue the state's home and community-based services waiver. States' estimates of cost and utilization for renewal purposes are based upon the data compiled in the CMS-372(S) reports. Form Number: CMS-372(S) (OMB control number: 0938-0272); Frequency: Yearly; Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal Governments; Number of Respondents: 47; Total Annual Responses: 282; Total Annual Hours: 12,126. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Ralph Lollar at 410-786-0777).

Dated: June 26, 2018.

William N. Parham, III,

Director, Paperwork Reduction Staff, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs.