[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 207 (Friday, October 25, 2013)] [Notices] [Pages 63980-63981] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2013-25187] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Office of the Secretary [Document Identifier HHS-OS-20694-60D] Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Public Comment Request AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, HHS. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In compliance with section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of the Secretary (OS), Department of Health and Human Services, announces plans to submit an Information Collection Request (ICR), described below, to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The ICR is for extending the use of the approved information collection assigned OMB control number 0990-0162, which expires on January 31, 2014. Prior to submitting that ICR to OMB, OS seeks comments from the public regarding the burden estimate, below, or any other aspect of the ICR. [[Page 63981]] DATES: Comments on the ICR must be received on or before December 24, 2013. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments to [email protected] or by calling (202) 690-6162. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information Collection Clearance staff, [email protected] or (202) 690-6162. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: When submitting comments or requesting information, please include the document identifier HHS-OS-20694-60D for reference. Information Collection Request Title: State Medicaid Fraud Control Units' Reports. OMB No.: 0990-0162. Abstract: Office of Inspector General (OIG) is requesting an extension by Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of approval for the collection of information to comply with the requirements in Title 19 of the Social Security Act at 1903(q), 42 CFR 1007.15, and 42 CFR 1007.17, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. The information collected consists of fifty separate annual reports and fifty separate application requests for certification/recertification of State Medicaid Fraud Control Units (MFCU). The collection is required by the statute and submitted yearly to OIG by the fifty MFCUs. OIG uses the information collected to determine the MFCUs' compliance with Federal requirements and eligibility for continued Federal financial participation (FFP) under the Federal MFCU grant program. Need and Proposed Use of the Information: Public Law 95-142, the Medicare-Medicaid Anti-Fraud and Abuse Amendments, was enacted in 1977 to strengthen the capabilities of Federal and State governments to combat and eliminate fraud and abuse in Medicaid, through the establishment of the MFCUs. This law amended section 1903 of the Social Security Act to establish operating requirements for MFCUs and provide FFP to State governments for the cost of establishing MFCUs, training State personnel, and keeping the MFCUs operational. Under section 1903(q)(7), each MFCU must annually submit to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) an application and annual report containing information that the Secretary determines is necessary to certify the MFCU as meeting the requirements for FFP. FFP is available only for activities directly related to the investigation and prosecution of health care providers suspected of committing Medicaid fraud. The MFCUs also review complaints of alleged abuse or neglect of patients and the misuse of patients' personal funds in health care facilities. OIG reviews the information collected to ensure that Federal matching funds are expended by MFCUs only for allowable costs. In addition, OIG analyzes each MFCU's submission to determine whether there is a need for OIG technical assistance and to establish priorities for onsite reviews to further monitor program activities. Likely Respondents: State Medicaid Fraud Control Units. Burden Statement: Burden in this context means the time expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, disclose or provide the information requested. This includes the time needed to review instructions, to develop, acquire, install and utilize technology and systems for the purpose of collecting, validating and verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information, to train personnel and to be able to respond to a collection of information, to search data sources, to complete and review the collection of information, and to transmit or otherwise disclose the information. The total annual burden hours estimated for this ICR are summarized in the table below. Total Estimated Annualized Burden--Hours ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Average burden Respondent Form Number of responses per per response Total burden respondents respondent (in hours) hours ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MFCU...................... Annual Report....... 50 1 88 4,400 MFCU...................... Annual Report, data 13 1 1 13 mining reporting only. MFCU...................... Recertification 50 1 5 250 Application. --------------------------------------------------------------- Total................. .................... 50 2 94 4,663 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OS specifically requests comments on (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. Keith A. Tucker, Information Collection Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2013-25187 Filed 10-24-13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4151-01-P