02-22149. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, DHHS.

In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) (formerly known as the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA)), 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 functions; (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.

Type of Information Collection Request: Extension of a currently approved collection Title of Information Collection: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Use and Reporting OASIS Data as Part of the CoPs for HHAs and Supporting Regulations in 42 CFR 484.11 and 484.20; Form No.: CMS-R-209 (OMB# 0938-0761); Use: HHAs are required to report data from the OASIS as a condition of participation. Specifically, the above named regulations sections provide guidelines for HHAs for the electronic transmission of the OASIS data as well as responsibilities of the State agency or OASIS contractor in collecting and transmitting this information to HCFA. These requirements are necessary to achieve broad-based, measurable improvement in the quality of care furnished through Federal programs, and to establish a prospective payment system for HHAs.; Frequency: Reporting/Monthly; Affected Public: Business or other-for-profit, Federal Government, State, Local or Tribal Government, Not-for-profit institutions.; Number of Respondents: 6,900; Total Annual Responses: 85,200; Total Annual Hours: 838,408.

Type of Information Collection Request: Extension of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Medicare and Medicaid Programs Use of the OASIS as Part of the CoPs for HHAs and Supporting Regulations in Part 484 of 42 CFR.; Form No.: CMS-R-245 (OMB# 0938-0760); Use: This regulation requires HHAs to use a standard core assessment data set, the OASIS, to collect information and to evaluate adult non-maternity patients. In addition, data from the OASIS will be used for purposes of case mix adjusting patients under home health PPS and will facilitate the production of necessary case mix information at relevant time points in the patient's home heath stay. Modifications have been made to currently approved OASIS forms to allow for the preservation of masking of personally identifiable information for the non-Medicare/non-Medicaid individuals.; Frequency: Recordkeeping/Upon patient assessment; Affected Public: Business or other-for-profit, Federal Government, State, Local or Tribal Government, Not-for-profit institutions.; Number of Respondents: 7,100; Total Annual Responses: 9,510,900; Total Annual Hours: 8,013,013.

To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access CMS's Web site address at http://www.hcfa.gov/​regs/​prdact95.htm,, 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]. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collections must be mailed within 60 days of this notice directly to the CMS Paperwork Clearance Officer designated at the following address: CMS, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs, Division of Regulations Development and Issuances, Attention: Melissa Musotto, Room N2-14-26, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850.

Dated: August 22, 2002.

John P. Burke III,

Paperwork Reduction Act Team Leader, CMS Reports Clearance Officer, Office of Strategic Operations and Strategic Affairs, Division of Regulations Development and Issuances.