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

AGENCY:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid 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 March 18, 2019.

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

1. Email your request, including your address, phone number, OMB number, and CMS document identifier, to Paperwork@cms.hhs.gov.

2. Call the Reports Clearance Office at (410) 786-1326.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

William N. 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. Title of Information Collection: Electronic Visit Verification Compliance Survey; Type of Information Collection Request: New collection (request for a new OMB control number); Use: This collection entails an electronic web-based survey that will allow states to self-report their progress in implementing electronic visit verification (EVV) for personal care services (PCS) and home health care services (HHCS), as required by section 1903(l) of the Social Security Act. CMS will use the survey data to assess states' compliance with section 1903(l) of the Act and levy Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) reductions where necessary as required by 1903(l) of the Act. Data collection will begin in November 2019 and will end when all states have fully implemented EVV systems according to the requirements specified at section 1903(l) of the Act.

The survey will be disseminated to all 51 state Medicaid agencies (including the District of Columbia) and the Medicaid agencies of five US territories. States will be required to complete the survey in order to demonstrate that they are complaint with Section 1903(l) of the Act by reporting on their EVV implementation status for PCS provided under sections 1905(a)(24), 1915(c), 1915(i), 1915(j), 1915(k), and Section 1115 of the Act; and HHCS provided under 1905(a)(7) of the Act or under a demonstration project or waiver (e.g., 1915(c) or 1115 of the Act).

The survey will be a live form, meaning states will have the ability to update their 1903(l) compliance status on a continuous basis. As FMAP reductions are assigned quarterly per 1903(l) of the Act, states who are not in compliance will be asked to review their survey information on a quarterly basis to ensure it is up-to-date and to update their survey responses as needed until they come into compliance.

The survey instrument has been revised subsequent to the publication of the 30-day notice (October 5, 2018; 83 FR 50381). Form Number: CMS-10680 (OMB control number: 0938-New); Frequency: On occasion; Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal Governments; Number of Respondents: 56; Number of Responses: 336; Total Annual Hours: 504. (For questions regarding this collection contact Ryan Shannahan at 410-786-0295.)

2. Type of Information Collection Request: Extension of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Home Health Change of Care Notice; Use: The purpose of the Home Health Change of Care Notice (HHCCN) is to notify original Medicare beneficiaries receiving home health care benefits of plan of care changes. Home health agencies (HHAs) are required to provide written notice to Original Medicare beneficiaries under various circumstances involving the reduction or termination of items and/or services consistent with Home Health Agencies Conditions of Participation (COPs).

The home health COP requirements are set forth in § 1891[42 U.S.C. 1395bbb] of the Social Security Act (the Act). The implementing regulations under 42 CFR 484.10(c) specify that Medicare patients receiving HHA services have rights. The patient has the right to be informed, in advance about the care to be furnished, and of any changes in the care to be furnished. The HHA must advise the patient in advance of the disciplines that will furnish care, and the frequency of visits proposed to be furnished. The HHA must advise the patient in advance of any change in the plan of care before the change is made.”

Notification is required for covered and non-covered services listed in the plan of care (POC).The beneficiary will use the information provided to decide whether or not to pursue alternative options to continue receiving the care noted on the HHCCN. Form Number: CMS-10180 (OMB control number: 0938-0988); Frequency: Reporting—Annually; Affected Public: State, Local or Tribal governments; Number of Respondents: 12,149; Total Annual Responses: 13,640,524; Total Annual Hours: 908,459. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Jennifer McCormick at 410-786-2852.)

3. Type of Information Collection Request: Extension of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Data Collection to Support Eligibility Determinations for Insurance Affordability Programs and Enrollment through Affordable Insurance Exchanges, Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program Agencies; Use: Information collected by the Marketplace, Medicaid or CHIP agency will be used to determine eligibility for coverage through the Marketplace and insurance affordability programs (i.e., Medicaid, CHIP, and advance payment of the premium tax credits), and assist consumers in enrolling in a QHP if eligible. Applicants include anyone who may be eligible for coverage through any of these programs.

The Marketplace verifies the information provided on the application, communicates with the applicant or his/her authorized representative and subsequently provides the information to the health plan selected by the applicant so that it can enroll him/her in a QHP. The Marketplace also uses the information provided in support of its ongoing operations, including activities such as verifying continued eligibility for all programs, processing appeals, reporting on and managing the insurance affordability programs for eligible individuals, performing oversight and quality control activities, combatting fraud, and responding to any concerns about the security or confidentiality of the information. Form Number: CMS-10440 (OMB control number: 0938-1191); Frequency: Annually; Affected Public: Private Sector (Business or other for-profits, Not-for-Profit Institutions); Number of Respondent s : 4,662,000; Total Annual Responses: 4,662,000; Total Annual Hours: 946,386. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Anne Pesto at 410-786-3492.)