2012-19605. 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 a currently approved collection;

Title of Information Collection: Medicare Health Outcomes Survey (HOS); Use: CMS has a responsibility to its Medicare beneficiaries to require that care provided by managed care organizations under contract to CMS is of high quality. One way of ensuring high quality care in Medicare Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), or more commonly referred to as Medicare Advantage Organizations (MAOs), is through the development of standardized, uniform performance measures to enable CMS to gather the data needed to evaluate the care provided to Medicare beneficiaries. The goal of the Medicare Health Outcome Survey (HOS) program is to gather valid, reliable, clinically meaningful health status data in Medicare managed care for use in quality improvement activities, plan accountability, public reporting, and improving health. All managed care plans with Medicare Advantage (MA) contracts must participate. CMS, in collaboration with the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), launched the Medicare HOS as part of the Effectiveness of Care component of the former Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set, now known as the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®).

The HOS measure was developed under the guidance of a technical expert panel comprised of individuals with specific expertise in the health care industry and outcomes measurement. The measure includes the most recent advances in summarizing physical and mental health outcomes results and appropriate risk adjustment techniques. In addition to health outcomes measures, the HOS is used to collect the Management of Urinary Incontinence in Older Adults, Physical Activity in Older Adults, Fall Risk Management, and Osteoporosis Testing in Older Women HEDIS® measures. The collection of Medicare HOS is necessary to hold Medicare managed care contractors accountable for the quality of care they are delivering. This reporting requirement allows CMS to obtain the information necessary for proper oversight of the Medicare Advantage program.

The 60-day Federal Register notice published on April 27, 2012, (77 FR 25181). Subsequently, the HOS Questionnaire collection instrument has been revised by clarifying, removing and renumbering a few questions. The burden estimate has not changed. Form Number: CMS-10203 (OCN: 0938-0701); Frequency: Yearly; Affected Public: Individuals and households; Number of Respondents: 2,352; Total Annual Responses: 666,120; Total Annual Hours: 219,820 (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Kimberly DeMichele at 410-786-4286. 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 Email 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 September 10, 2012.

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

Dated: August 6, 2012.

Martique Jones,

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