E9-21425. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 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) 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.

1. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Hospital Wage Index Occupational Mix Survey and Supporting Regulations in 42 CFR, Section 412.64; Use: Section 304(c) of Public Law 106-554 amended section 1886(d)(3)(E) of the Social Security Act to require CMS to collect data every 3 years on the occupational mix of employees for each short-term, acute care hospital participating in the Medicare program, in order to construct an occupational mix adjustment to the wage index, for application beginning October 1, 2004 (the FY 2005 wage index). The purpose of the occupational mix adjustment is to control for the effect of hospitals' employment choices on the wage index. Refer to the summary of changes document for a list of current changes. Form Number: CMS-10079 (OMB#: 0938-0907); Frequency: Reporting—Yearly, Biennially and Occasionally; Affected Public: Private Sector—Business or other for-profits and Not-for-profit institutions; Number of Respondents: 3,522; Total Annual Responses: 3,522; Total Annual Hours: 1,690,560. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Taimyra Jones at 410-786-1562. For all other issues call 410-786-1326.)

2. Type of Information Collection Request: New Collection; Title of Information Collection: Tribal Consultation State Plan Amendment Template; Use: Effective July 1, 2009, section 5006 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) amended section 1902(a)(73) of the Act to require that certain States utilize a process for the State to seek advice on a regular, ongoing basis from designees of the Indian Health Service (IHS) and Urban Indian Organizations concerning Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) matters having a direct effect on them. The consultation process is required for the 37 States in which 1 or more Indian Health Programs or Urban Indian Organizations furnish health care services. The State Medicaid agency for each of these States will complete the template page and submit it for approval as part of a State plan amendment, to document how it meets the requirements for tribal consultation. Form Number: CMS-10293 (OMB#: 0938-NEW); Frequency: Reporting—Once and occasionally; Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal Governments; Number of Respondents: 37; Total Annual Responses: 37; Total Annual Hours: 37. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Mary Corddry at 410-786-6618. 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 at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/​PaperworkReductionActof1995,, 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].

In commenting on the proposed information collections please reference the document identifier or OMB control number. To be assured consideration, comments and recommendations must be submitted in one of the following ways by November 3, 2009:

1. Electronically. You may submit your comments electronically to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for “Comment or Submission” or “More Search Options” to find the information collection document(s) accepting comments.

2. By regular mail. You may mail written comments to the following address: CMS, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs, Division of Regulations Development, Attention: Document Identifier/OMB Control Number, Room C4-26-05, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850.

Dated: August 28, 2009.

Michelle Shortt,

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