Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 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 (the 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 60 days for public comment on the proposed action. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding our burden estimates 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 must be received by August 2, 2021.

ADDRESSES:

When commenting, please reference the document identifier or OMB control number. To be assured consideration, comments and recommendations must be submitted in any one of the following ways:

1. Electronically. You may send your comments electronically to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for “Comment or Submission” or “More Search Options” to find the information collection document(s) that are accepting comments.

2. By regular mail. You may mail written comments to the following address: CMS, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs, Division of Regulations Development, Attention: Document Identifier/OMB Control Number: __, Room C4-26-05, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

William N. Parham at (410) 786-4669.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Contents

This notice sets out a summary of the use and burden associated with the following information collections. More detailed information can be found in each collection's supporting statement and associated materials (see ADDRESSES).

CMS-179—Medicaid State Plan Base Plan Pages

CMS-10775—Medicare Severity Diagnosis Related Groups Reclassification Request (MS-DRGs)

Under the 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 requires federal agencies to publish a 60-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.

Information Collection

1. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Medicaid State Plan Base Plan Pages; Use: State Medicaid agencies complete the plan pages while we review the information to determine if the state has met all of the requirements of the provisions the states choose to implement. If the requirements are met, we will approve the amendments to the state's Medicaid plan giving the state the authority to implement the flexibilities. For a state to receive Medicaid Title XIX funding, there must be an approved Title XIX state plan. Form Number: CMS-179 (OMB control number 0938-0193); Frequency: Occasionally; Affected Public: State, Local, and Tribal Governments; Number of Respondents: 56; Total Annual Responses: 1,120; Total Annual Hours: 22,400. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Gary Knight at 304-347-5723.)

2. Type of Information Collection Request: New Collection; Title of Information Collection: Medicare Severity Diagnosis Related Groups Reclassification Request (MS-DRGs); Use: Section 1886(d)(4) of the Act establishes a classification system, referred to as DRGs, for inpatient discharges and adjusts payments under the IPPS based on appropriate weighting factors assigned to each MS-DRG. Section 1886(d)(4)(C)(i) of the Act specifies adjustments to the classification and weighting factors shall occur “at least annually to reflect changes in treatment patterns, technology, and other factors which may change the relative use of hospital resources.”

The requests are evaluated in the Division of Coding and DRGs (DCDRG) by the DRG and Coding Team and the clinical advisors (medical officers) in both the Technology, Coding and Pricing Group (TCPG) and the Hospital and Ambulatory Policy Group (HAPG), along with the CMS contractor(s). This team participates via conference calls in the review of MedPAR claims data to analyze and perform clinical review of the requested changes. Based on the examination of claims data and clinical judgment, the team provides recommendations to CMS and HHS leadership for proposed changes. Per the statue, proposed MS-DRG changes and payment adjustments must go through notice and comment rulemaking giving the opportunity for the public to comment. Finalized MS-DRG changes are effective with discharges on and after October 1, consistent with the beginning of the fiscal year. CMS makes the updated MS-DRG Grouper software and related materials that reflects the changes available to the public for free via download at: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/AcuteInpatientPPS/MS-DRG-Classifications-and-Software .

When an application is submitted in MEARIS^TM, the DRG and Coding Team in DCDRG will have instant access to the application request and accompanying materials to facilitate a more timely review of the request, including the ability to efficiently inform other team members involved in the process that information is available for their review and input. Form Number: CMS-10775 (OMB control number 0938-New); Frequency: Occasionally; Affected Public: Private Sector, Business or other for-profits, Not-for-profits institutions; Number of Respondents: 50; Total Annual Responses: 50; Total Annual Hours: 48,000. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Marilu Hue at 410-786-4510.)