2015-24471. Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services.

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 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.

DATES:

Comments on the collection(s) of information must be received by the OMB desk officer by October 26, 2015.

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' Web site 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 previously approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Medicare Beneficiary and Family-Centered Satisfaction Survey; Use: The data collection methodology used to determine Beneficiary Satisfaction flows from the proposed sampling approach. Based on recent literature on survey methodology and response rates by mode, we recommend using a data collection that is done primarily by mail. A mail-based methodology will achieve the goals of being efficient, effective, and minimally burdensome for beneficiary respondents. We anticipate that a mail-based methodology could yield a response rate of approximately 60 percent. In order to achieve this response rate, we would recommend a 3 staged approach to data collection:

(1) Mailout of a covering letter, the paper survey questionnaire, and a postage-paid return envelope.

(2) Mailout of a post card that thanks respondents and reminds the non-respondents to please return their survey.

(3) Mailout of a follow-up covering letter, the paper survey questionnaire, and a postage-paid return envelope.

Through the pilot test, we will determine the response rate that can be achieved using this approach. If it is deemed necessary, a prenotification letter, additional mailout reminders and a telephone non-response step can be added to the protocol to achieve desired response rate.

Form Number: CMS-10393 (OMB Control number: 0938-1177); Frequency: Once; Affected Public: Individuals or households; Number of Respondents: 16,010; Number of Responses: 16,010; Total Annual Hours: 4,002. (For policy questions regarding this collection, contact Nekeshia McInnis at 410-786-4486.)

Dated: September 22, 2015.

William N. Parham,

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