02-6756. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Centers for Medicare and 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 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: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Title of Information Collection: A Project to Develop an Outcome-Based Continuous Quality Improvement System and Core Outcome and Comprehensive Assessment Data Set for PACE.

Form No.: CMS-R-299CMS—(OMB# 0938-0791).

Use: The purpose of this project is to develop an outcome-based continuous quality improvement (OBCQI) system and core comprehensive assessment data set for the PACE program by (a) developing and testing a set of data items for core outcome and comprehensive assessment (COCOA), (b) testing risk-adjustment methods so each site's outcomes can be appropriately evaluated, (c) designing an OBCQI approach to improve quality in a systematic, evolutionary manner, and (d) testing the usefulness of the data items for assessment and care planning. A three-phase field test will result in the refinement of the draft COCOA data items and protocols as needed. Findings from the project are intended to guide the possible implementation of a national approach for OBCQI and core comprehensive assessment for PACE.

Frequency: On Occasion.

Affected Public: Not-for-profit institutions and individuals or households.

Number of Respondents: 8,298.

Total Annual Responses: 90,070.

Total Annual Hours: 22,503.77.

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 Information Services, Security and Standards Group, Division of CMS Enterprise Standards, Attention: Melissa Musotto, Room N2-14-26, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850.

Dated: March 12, 2002.

John P. Burke, III,

Reports Clearance Officer, Security and Standards Group, Division of CMS Enterprise Standards.