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

AGENCY:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Health and Human 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 August 8, 2024.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function.

To obtain copies of a supporting statement and any related forms for the proposed collection(s) summarized in this notice, please access the CMS PRA website by copying and pasting the following web address into your web browser: https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/PaperworkReductionActof1995/PRA-Listing.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

William Parham at (410) 786-4669.

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:

1. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: CAHPS Hospice Survey; Use: CMS launched the development of the CAHPS Hospice Survey in 2012. Public reporting of the results on Hospice Compare started in 2018. The goal of the survey is to measure the experiences of patients and their caregivers with hospice care. The survey was developed to:

Provide a source of information from which selected measures could be publicly reported to beneficiaries and their family members as a decision aid for selection of a hospice program;

Aid hospices with their internal quality improvement efforts and external benchmarking with other facilities; and

Provide CMS with information for monitoring the care provided.

Surveys focusing on patients' experience of care with their health care providers are an important part of the NQS. In addition to publicly reporting clinical quality measures, CMS is currently reporting measures from patient experience of care surveys in a variety of settings, including in-center hemodialysis (ICH) centers, hospitals, home health agencies, and hospices on the Medicare Care Compare website. ( https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare ). Form Number: CMS-10537 (OMB control number: 0938-1257); Frequency: Once; Affected Public: Individuals and Households; Number of Respondents: 1,159,420; Total Annual Responses: 1,159,420; Total Annual Hours: 168,115.90. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Lauren Fuentes at 410-786 2290 or 443-618-2123).

2. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Application for Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) for People with End-Stage Renal Disease; Use: Form CMS-43 (Application for Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) for People with End-Stage Renal Disease) supports section 226A(a) of the Social Security Act (the Act) and corresponding regulations at 42 CFR 406.7(c)(3) and 406.13.

Individuals with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) have the opportunity to apply for Medicare benefits and obtain premium-free Part A if they meet certain criteria outlined in statute. Sections 226A of the Act authorizes entitlement for Medicare Hospital Insurance (Part A) if the individual with ESRD files an application for benefits and meets the requisite contributions through one's own employment or the employment of a related individual to meet the statutory definition of a “currently insured” individual outlined in section 214 of the Act. Further, for individuals who meet the requirements for premium-free Part A entitlement, Medicare coverage starts based on the dates in which the individual started dialysis treatment or had a kidney transplant. These statutory provisions are codified at 42 CFR 406.7(c)(3) and 407.13. Form Number: CMS-43 (OMB control number: 0938-0080); Frequency: Once; Affected Public: Individuals and Households Number of Respondents: 45,200; Total Annual Responses: 45,200; Total Annual Hours: 18,984. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Candace Carter at 410-786-8466 or Candace.Carter@cms.hhs.gov).