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

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 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.

DATES:

Comments on the collection(s) of information must be received by the OMB desk officer by February 18, 2016.

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 http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PaperworkReductionActof1995.

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:

1. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently approved information collection; Title of Information Collection: Evaluation of the Graduate Nurse Education Demonstration Program; Use: The Graduate Nurse Education (GNE) Demonstration is mandated under Section 5509 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.). According to Section 5509 of the ACA, the five selected demonstration sites receive “payment for the hospital's reasonable costs for the provision of qualified clinical training to advance practice registered nurses.” Section 5509 of the ACA also states that an evaluation of the graduate nurse education demonstration must be completed no later than October 17, 2017. This evaluation includes analysis of the following: (1) growth in the number of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) with respect to a specific base year as a result of the demonstration; (2) growth for each of the following specialties: clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner, certified nurse anesthetist, certified nurse-midwife; and (3) costs to the Medicare program as result of the demonstration.

All information collected through the Evaluation of the GNE project will be used to meet the requirements specified under the ACA Section 5509. We will also use the information to determine the overall effectiveness of the GNE project. The process evaluation seeks to understand how the demonstration is implemented overall, how that implementation has changed over time, which aspects of the demonstration have been successful or unsuccessful, and what plans the sites have for the remainder of the implementation and after the demonstration formally ends. The process evaluation will answer both quantitative and qualitative questions. Form Number: CMS-10467 (OMB control number: 0938-1212); Frequency: Annually; Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal Governments; Private sector (Business and other for-profit and Not-for-profit institutions); Number of Respondents: 104; Total Annual Responses: 104; Total Annual Hours: 802. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Pauline Karikari-Martin at 410-786-1040.)