[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 103 (Friday, May 28, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 29050]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-13651]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Health Care Financing Administration
[Document Identifier: HCFA-R-0273]
Emergency Clearance: Public Information Collection Requirements
Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
AGENCY: Health Care Financing Administration, HHS.
In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 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.
We are, however, requesting an emergency review of the information
collections referenced below. In compliance with the requirement of
section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we have
submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) the following
requirements for emergency review. We are requesting an emergency
review because the collection of this information is needed before the
expiration of the normal time limits under OMB's regulations at 5 CFR,
Part 1320. This is necessary to ensure that HCFA can determine as soon
as possible that Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) participating
or wishing to participate in the Medicare program meet all applicable
Federal and State requirements. We cannot reasonably comply with the
normal clearance procedures because potential public harm could occur
because ineligible CMHCs may fraudulently or abusively provide care to
Medicare beneficiaries and subsequently bill the Medicare program
diverting Medicare Trust Fund resources from legitimate Medicare
claims.
The CMHC Site Visit Assessment Tool will allow HCFA to
systematically and promptly collect information from CMHCs to verify
that the CMHCs meet all applicable Federal and State requirements
rendering them eligible as Medicare providers. This tool is critical in
determining which CMHCs are operating as specified by section 1861(ff)
of the Social Security Act and taking action to ensure that all others
comply or are no longer serving Medicare beneficiaries and billing the
Medicare program.
HCFA is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by
June 8, 1999, with a 180-day approval period. Written comments and
recommendations will be accepted from the public if received by the
individuals designated below by June 7, 1999. During this 180-day
period, we will publish a separate Federal Register notice announcing
the initiation of an extensive 60-day agency review and public comment
period on these requirements. We will submit the requirements for OMB
review and an extension of this emergency approval.
Type of Information Request: New collection.
Title of Information Collection: Community Mental Health Center
Site Visit Assessment Tool and Supporting Regulations in 42 CFR 410.2
HCFA Form Number: HCFA-R-273 (OMB approval #: 0938-NEW).
Use: This information collection tool is essential for the Health
Care Financing Administration (HCFA) to ensure that existing Community
Mental Health Centers (CMHC), as well as CMHC applicants to the
Medicare program are incompliance with Medicare provider requirements,
as well as all applicable Federal and State requirements. The
collection tool will be completed and used by HCFA and or its
contractors to collect patient records, other CMHC operational
information, and to verify CMHC compliance as determined by the HCFA
regional office. CMHCs will be required to sign the completed form,
provide medical records, and other operational information to be copied
by the HCFA contractor representative on-site at the CMHC during the
site visit.
Frequency: Upon initial application or reenrollment into the
Medicare program.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, as well as not-for-
profit institution and State, Local or Tribal Governments.
Number of Respondents: 850.
Total Annual Responses: 850.
Total Annual Burden Hours: 3400.
We have submitted a copy of this notice to OMB for its review of
these information collections. A notice will be published in the
Federal Register when approval is obtained.
To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms
for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access HCFA'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
HCFA document identifier, to P[email protected], or call the Reports
Clearance Office on (410) 786-1326.
Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the
burden or any other aspect of these collections of information
requirements. However, as noted above, comments on these information
collection and recordkeeping requirements must be mailed and/or faxed
to the designees referenced below by June 7, 1999:
Health Care Financing Administration, Office of Information Services,
Security and Standards Group, Division of HCFA Enterprise Standards,
Room N2-14-26, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850. Fax
Number: (410) 786-1415, Attn: Louis Blank HCFA-R-273
and,
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and
Budget, Room 10235, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC
20503, Fax Number: (202) 395-6974 or (202) 395-5167 Attn: Allison
Herron Eydt, HCFA Desk Officer
Dated: May 19, 1999.
John P. Burke III,
HCFA Reports Clearance Officer, HCFA, Office of Information Services,
Security and Standards Group, Division of HCFA Enterprise Standards.
[FR Doc. 99-13651 Filed 5-27-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-03-P