Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, HHS.

ACTION:

Notice.

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 a second opportunity for public comment on the notice. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including the necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the agency's functions, the accuracy of the estimated burden, ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology to minimize the information collection burden.

DATES:

Comments on the collection(s) of information must be received by the OMB desk officer by September 29, 2017.

ADDRESSES:

When commenting on the proposed information collections, please reference the document identifier or OMB control number. To be assured consideration, comments and recommendations must be received by the OMB desk officer via one of the following transmissions: OMB, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: CMS Desk Officer, Fax Number: (202) 395-5806 OR, email: OIRA_submission@omb.eop.gov.

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 Web site address at https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/PaperworkReductionActof1995/PRA-Listing.html .

2. Email your request, including your address, phone number, OMB number, and CMS document identifier, to Paperwork@cms.hhs.gov.

3. Call the Reports Clearance Office at (410) 786-1326.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Reports Clearance Office at (410) 786-1326.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)) requires federal agencies to publish a 30-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 that summarizes the following proposed collection(s) of information for public comment:

Type of Information Collection Request: Extension of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Conditions of Participation for Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) and Supporting Regulations; Use: At the outset of the critical access hospital (CAH) program, the information collection requirements for all CAHs were addressed together under the following information collection request: CMS-R-48 (OCN: 0938-0328). As the CAH program has grown in both scope of services and the number of providers, the burden associated with CAHs with distinct part units (DPUs) was separated from the CAHs without DPUs. Section 1820(c)(2)(E)(i) of the Social Security Act provides that a CAH may establish and operate a psychiatric or rehabilitation DPU. Each DPU may maintain up to10 beds and must comply with the hospital requirements specified in 42 CFR Subparts A, B, C, and D of part 482. Presently, 105 CAHs have rehabilitation or psychiatric DPUs. The burden associated with CAHs that have DPUs continues to be reported under CMS-R-48, along with the burden for all 4,890 accredited and non-accredited hospitals.

The CAH conditions of participation and accompanying information collection requirements specified in the regulations are used by surveyors as a basis for determining whether a CAH meets the requirements to participate in the Medicare program. We, along with the healthcare industry, believe that the availability to the facility of the type of records and general content of records, which this regulation specifies, is standard medical practice and is necessary in order to ensure the well-being and safety of patients and professional treatment accountability. Form Number: CMS-10239 (OMB Control number: 0938-1043); Frequency: Yearly; Affected Public: Private sector—Business or other for-profit; Number of Respondents: 1,215; Total Annual Responses: 144,585; Total Annual Hours: 24,183. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Mary Collins at 410-786-3189.)