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

AGENCY:

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, HHS.

In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) (formerly known as 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.

1. Type of Information Collection Request: Extension of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Medicare Program Integrity Customer Service Project; Form No.: CMS-10029 (OMB# 0938-0837); Use: Medicare's Integrity Program seeks to improve customer service provided to beneficiaries and providers. The study's purpose is to identify baseline satisfaction with Program Integrity efforts, to prioritize improvement areas, and to identify potential service delivery changes that can be implemented by CMS or its contractors. Respondents include beneficiaries whose billing questions were transferred to Fraud, and providers who have been through enrollment, medical review, or cost report audit; Frequency: Annually; Affected Public: Individuals or households, Business or other for-profit, Not-for-profit institutions; Number of Respondents: 5,250; Total Annual Responses: 5,250; Total Annual Hours: 782.

2. Type of Information Collection Request: Extension of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: National Medicare Education Program (NMEP) Community Survey of Medicare Beneficiaries; Form No.: CMS-R-254 (OMB# 0938-0738); Use: A survey of Medicare beneficiaries in six communities will be conducted in January and February, 2003. A random, representative sample of Medicare beneficiaries will be selected using CMS administrative data. This approach will gather information on changes in: awareness of Medicare+Choice expansion and options; knowledge about Medicare and Medicare+Choice options; where beneficiaries go to find more information; and whether they are aware of the many information resources available to them; and satisfaction with their information/knowledge; Frequency: On occasion; Affected Public: Individuals or households; Number of Respondents: 2400; Total Annual Responses: 2400; Total Annual Hours: 600.

To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access CMS Web site address at http://www.hcfa.gov/regs/prdact95.htm,, or e-mail your request, including your address, phone number, OMB number, and CMS document identifier, 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: OMB Human Resources and Housing Branch, Attention: Brenda Aguilar, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503.