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

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, has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) the following proposal for the collection of information. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the 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.

Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently approved collection;

Title of Information Collection: Maximizing the Effective Use of Telemedicine: A Study of the Effects, Cost Effectiveness and Utilization Patterns of Consultations via Telemedicine”;

Form No.: HCFA-R-197 (OMB# 0938-0705);

Use: This study deals with several issues of importance to HCFA regarding the recent proliferation of Telemedicine programs. The primary goal of this study is to develop policy recommendations for Medicare concerning utilization review and payment methods for Telemedicine services. The major objective is to evaluate the use of interactive video Telemedicine consultation.; Recommendations will be based on analysis of the use of Telemedicine for such medical consultation.;

Frequency: Other: periodically;

Affected Public: Individuals or households, Business or other for-profit, and Not-for-profit institutions;

Number of Respondents: 1,450;

Total Annual Responses: 84,235;

Total Annual Hours: 360.

To obtain copies of the supporting statement 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 and phone number, to Paperwork@hcfa.gov, or call the Reports Clearance Office on (410) 786-1326. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collections must be mailed within 30 days of this notice directly to the OMB Desk Officer designated at the following address: OMB Human Resources and Housing Branch, Attention: Allison Eydt, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503.