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 compliance with section 1895(a) of the Social Security Act, which requires us to implement the prospective payment system by October 1; the notice for which we are requesting approval must be ready to be disclosed, in accordance with section 1879 of the Act, at the same time. We cannot reasonably comply with the normal clearance procedures because of the statutory deadline.

HCFA is requesting emergency OMB review and approval of this collection by October 12, 2000, with a 180-day approval period. Written comments and recommendations will be accepted from the public if received by the individuals designated below by October 11, 2000. 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: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Title of Information Collection: Home Health Advanced Beneficiary Notices of Liability.

HCFA Form Number: HCFA-R-0296 (OMB approval #: 0938-0781).

Use: Home health agencies must provide proper written notice to Medicare beneficiaries in advance of furnishing what the agencies believe to be noncovered care or of reducing or terminating ongoing care. Beneficiaries have, and will continue to have a right to obtain a Medicare initial determination through the demand bill process, with all attendant appeal rights.

Frequency: On occasion.

Affected Public: Not-for-profit institutions, Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 8,200.

Total Annual Responses: 180,000.

Total Annual Burden Hours: 30,000.

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 Paperwork@hcfa.gov, 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 October 11, 2000.

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) 786-0262, Attn: Julie Brown HCFA-R-296 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: Wendy Taylor, HCFA Desk Officer.