99-23606. Emergency Clearance: Public Information Collection Requirements Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)  

  • [Federal Register Volume 64, Number 175 (Friday, September 10, 1999)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 49196-49197]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 99-23606]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
    
    Health Care Financing Administration
    [Document Identifier: HCFA-R-281]
    
    
    Emergency Clearance: Public Information Collection Requirements 
    Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
    
    AGENCY: Health Care Financing Administration, HHS.
        In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the 
    Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 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.
        We are, however, requesting an emergency review of the Information 
    collections referenced below. In compliance with the requirement of 
    section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we have 
    submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) the following 
    requirements for emergency review. We are requesting an emergency 
    review because the collection of this information is needed prior to 
    the expiration of the normal time limits under OMB's regulations at 5 
    CFR, Part 1320. The HCFA-R-281 will be used to evaluate the effects of 
    the ``Medicare and You Handbook: 2000'' to determine that beneficiaries 
    not only received it and are aware of the information, but whether they 
    understand the information and are able to use it in making informed 
    choices about their Medicare plan. Without this information, HCFA would 
    not be able to obtain the information necessary to determine whether 
    these goals have been met. The Agency cannot reasonably comply with the 
    normal clearance procedures because public harm is likely to result due 
    to the possibility of beneficiaries not being properly informed/
    educated as to the importance of their Medicare plan choices.
        HCFA is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by 9/
    10/99, with a 180-day approval period. Written comments and 
    recommendations will be accepted from the public if received by the 
    individuals designated below, by 
    9/9/99. During this 180-day period, we will publish a separate Federal 
    Register notice announcing the initiation of an extensive 60-day agency 
    review and public comment period on these requirements. We will submit 
    the requirements for OMB review and an extension of this emergency 
    approval.
        Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently 
    approved collection;
        Title of Information Collection: Survey of Medicare Beneficiaries 
    for the National ``Medicare and You Handbook: 2000'' Evaluation;
        Form No.: HCFA-R-281 (OMB #0938-0771);
        Use: As part of the National Medicare Education Program (NMEP), 
    HCFA plans a national mailing of the Medicare & You 2000 handbook to 
    the entire Medicare population in September 1999. To evaluate the 
    effects of the handbook, HCFA needs to know not only that beneficiaries 
    received it and are aware of the information, but whether they 
    understand the information and are able to use it in
    
    [[Page 49197]]
    
    making informed choices about their Medicare plan.
        To quantify whether these goals have been met, measures of what 
    beneficiaries currently know and understand about the Medicare program 
    must be established. It is also necessary to compare attitudes and 
    behavior of beneficiaries who receive the information to those who do 
    not to determine if the print campaign of the NMEP (Medicare & You 
    handbook) has been effective.
        This survey will be used to determine the effectiveness of the 
    ``Medicare and You Handbook: 2000''.;
        Frequency: Other: one time;
        Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, and Individuals or 
    Households;
        Number of Respondents: 4,250;
        Total Annual Responses: 4,250;
        Total Annual Hours: 3,019.
        To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms 
    for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access HCFA's 
    Web Site address at http://www.hcfa.gov/regs/prdact95.htm, or E-mail 
    your request, including your address, phone number, to 
    Paperwork@hcfa.gov, or call the Reports Clearance Office on (410) 786-
    1326.
        Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the 
    burden or any other aspect of these collections of Information 
    requirements. However, as noted above, comments on these Information 
    collection and recordkeeping requirements must be mailed and/or faxed 
    to the designees referenced below, by 9/9/99:
    
    Health Care Financing Administration, Office of Information Services, 
    Security and Standards Group, Division of HCFA Enterprise Standards, 
    Attention: Dawn Willinghan, Room N2-14-26, 7500 Security Boulevard, 
    Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850 and Office of Information and Regulatory 
    Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, New Executive 
    Office Building, Washington, DC 20503, Fax Number: (202) 395-6974 or 
    (202) 395-5167, Attn: Allison Herron Eydt, HCFA Desk Officer.
    
        Dated: August 31, 1999.
    John Parmigiani,
    Manager, HCFA Office of Information Services, Security and Standards 
    Group, Division of HCFA Enterprise Standards.
    [FR Doc. 99-23606 Filed 9-9-99; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4120-03-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
09/10/1999
Department:
Health Care Finance Administration
Entry Type:
Notice
Document Number:
99-23606
Pages:
49196-49197 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Document Identifier: HCFA-R-281
PDF File:
99-23606.pdf