Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Centers for Medicare & 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 & Medicaid Services (CMS) 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: 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.

1. Type of Information Collection Request: Extension of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Paid Feeding Assistants in Long-Term Care Facilities and Supporting Regulations at 42 CFR 483.160; Use: Section 42 CFR 483 permits long-term care facilities to use paid feeding assistants to supplement the services of certified nurse aides. If facilities choose this option, feeding assistants must complete a specified training program. In addition, a facility must maintain a record of all individuals used by the facility as feeding assistants, who have successfully completed the training course for paid feeding assistants. This information is used as part of the process to determine facility compliance with this requirement. Form Number: CMS-10053 (OMB#: 0938-0916); Frequency: Reporting—Yearly; Affected Public: Private Sector: Business or other for-profits and Not-for-profit institutions; Number of Respondents: 13,280; Total Annual Responses: 4,250; Total Annual Hours: 25,500. (For policy questions regarding this collection, contact Susan Joslin at 410-786-3516. For all other issues call 410-786-1326.)

To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access CMS' Web Site at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PaperworkReductionActof1995 , or E-mail your request, including your address, phone number, OMB number, and CMS document identifier, to Paperwork@cms.hhs.gov, or call the Reports Clearance Office on (410) 786-1326.

In commenting on the proposed information collections, please reference the document identifier or OMB control number. To be assured consideration, comments and recommendations must be submitted in one of the following ways by January 12, 2010:

1. Electronically. You may submit 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) 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.