[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 246 (Monday, December 23, 2013)] [Notices] [Pages 77466-77467] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2013-30467] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Office of the Secretary [Document Identifier: HHS-OS-21138-60-D] 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 0945-0006, which expires on March 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. DATES: Comments on the ICR must be received on or before February 21, 2014. 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-21138-60D for reference. Information Collection Request Title: The Civil Rights Information Request Form. OMB No.: 0945-0006. Abstract: This request for OMB approval of The Civil Rights Information Request Form is for a 3 year extension. The Civil Rights Information Request [[Page 77467]] Form is designed to collect data from health care providers who have requested certification to participate in the Medicare Part A program. As part of the Medicare certification process, health care facilities must receive a civil rights clearance from the Office for Civil Rights (OCR). OCR uses the information to determine compliance with civil rights statutes and regulations. The civil rights information is requested only when a health care provider applies for Medicare Part A certification; it is not necessary on a regular yearly basis. Entities that are affected by the Civil Rights Information Request Form are: health care providers applying for Medicare certification, and individuals who, as a result of civil rights clearances, should be granted equal access to quality health care, regardless of race, color, national origin, disability, age and sex. Need and Proposed Use of the Information: To ensure adherence to the statutory requirements, compliance reviews are requested when health care providers, such as hospitals, nursing homes and home health agencies, apply to participate in the Medicare Part A program. When a provider seeks Medicare certification, OCR conducts a compliance review to determine whether the provider will be able to comply with Title VI, Section 504, and the Age Discrimination Act. Such reviews are an effective means of working with health care providers because potential civil rights concerns can be identified prior to receipt of Federal financial assistance. The technical assistance available to recipients on the OCR Web site helps providers take steps to comply with their obligations to refrain from prohibited discrimination. Likely Respondents: Healthcare providers. Burden Statement: In conducting a complaint investigation or compliance review of a health care or social service provider, OCR determines whether a compliance review was performed by OCR. In many instances, the procedure decreases the burden on the recipient since the compliance review and corrective actions, as necessary, may reduce or eliminate the need for a formal investigation involving interviews, examination of records, collection and submission of data associated with issues already addressed through a recent compliance review certification process. To further reduce provider burden in completing the compliance review process, OCR has developed several Corporate Agreements with health care corporations. These Agreements are designed to expedite the civil rights compliance review process by implementing a practice whereby all of a corporation's national policies and procedures are reviewed and approved at OCR's headquarters' level. Subsequent to such approval, only local facility-specific information is reviewed by OCR for civil rights compliance during the review process. Total Estimated Annualized Burden--Hours ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Average burden Form name Number of responses per per response Total burden respondents respondent (in hours) hours ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Civil Rights Information Request Form... 2900 1 8 23,200 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. Darius Taylor, Deputy, Information Collection Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2013-30467 Filed 12-20-13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4153-01-P