[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 115 (Friday, June 14, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35936-35937]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-14174]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
[Document Identifiers CMS-10482]
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request
AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
ACTION: Notice.
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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 60 days for public comment on
the proposed action. Interested persons are invited to send comments
regarding our burden estimates 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 must be received by August 13, 2013:
ADDRESSES: When commenting, please reference the document identifier or
OMB control number (OCN). To be assured consideration, comments and
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recommendations must be submitted in any one of the following ways:
1. Electronically. You may send 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) that are 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.
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 [email protected].
3. Call the Reports Clearance Office at (410) 786-1326.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Call the Reports Clearance Office at
(410) 786-1326.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
This notice sets out a summary of the use and burden associated
with the following information collections. More detailed information
can be found in each collection's supporting statement and associated
materials (see ADDRESSES).
CMS-10482 Evaluation of the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS)
and Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program
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 requires federal agencies to publish a 60-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.
Information Collection
1. Type of Information Collection Request: New Collection (Request
for a new OMB control number); Title of Information Collection:
Evaluation of the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) and
Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program; Use: The Physician
Quality Reporting System (PQRS) was first implemented in 2007 as an
incentive for voluntary reporting of quality measures in accordance
with a section of the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006. The PQRS
was further extended and enhanced by legislation such as the Medicare,
Medicaid, and State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)
Extension Act of 2007 (MMSEA) and the Medicare Improvements for
Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA). A number of changes have
been made to the PQRS, including group measures, the group reporting
option, and additional measures. The PQRS was extended further with the
enactment of MMSEA. The MMSEA provided professionals greater
flexibility for participating in the PQRS for 2008 and 2009 by
authorizing us to establish alternative reporting criteria and
alternative reporting periods for the reporting measures groups and for
the submission of data on the PQRS quality measures through clinical
data registries. The MIPPA, enacted in July 2008, made the PQRS program
permanent, further enhanced the PQRS, and established a new standalone
incentive program for successful electronic prescribers.
The eRx Incentive Program, the other program being evaluated in
this project, was first implemented in 2009. The eRx is another
incentive reporting program that uses a combination of incentive
payments and payment adjustments to encourage eRx by eligible
professionals. The program provides an incentive payment to practices
with eligible professionals who successfully e-prescribe for covered
Physician Fee Schedule services furnished to Medicare Part B Fee-For-
Service (FFS) beneficiaries. Eligible professionals do not need to
participate in PQRS to participate in the eRx Incentive Program.
In support of an evaluation the PQRS and the eRx Incentive Program,
we will conduct three surveys. The surveys will include: Medicare
beneficiaries, eligible professionals, and administrators. This
evaluation is designed to determine how well the PQRS and the eRx
Incentive Program are contributing to better and affordable health care
for Medicare beneficiaries. The PQRS is a voluntary reporting program
that provides an incentive payment to eligible professionals who
satisfactorily report data on quality measures. We use quality measures
to promote improvements in care delivery and payment and to increase
transparency. The PQRS program rewards eligible professionals based on
a percentage of the estimated Medicare Physician Fee Schedule of their
allowed Part B charges if they meet the defined reporting requirements.
The PQRS was initially referred to as the Physician Quality Reporting
Initiative (PQRI). Form Number: CMS-10482 (OCN: 0938-NEW); Frequency:
Yearly; Affected Public: Individuals and households, Business or other
for-profit, Not-for-profit institutions; Number of Respondents: 6,350;
Total Annual Responses: 6,350; Total Annual Hours: 2,545. (For policy
questions regarding this collection contact Lauren Fuentes at 410-786-
2290. For all other issues call 410-786-1326.)
Dated: June 11, 2013.
Martique Jones,
Deputy Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic
Operations and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2013-14174 Filed 6-13-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P