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), 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 function; (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: New collection; Title of Information Collection: Conditions of Participation for Critical Access Hospitals; Use: With this submission, we are creating a new information collection request for critical access hospitals (CAH). Currently, the information collection requirements associated with the critical access hospital (CAH) conditions of participation (CoPs) are included with the hospital CoPs reported under CMS-R-48 (0938-0328). Because the CAH program has grown in scope of services and the number of providers, we have removed the CAH burden from the CMS-R-48 with the exception of the burden associated with the 101 CAHs that have distinct part units (DPUs), and created a separate information collection request for OMB review and approval. Section 1820(c)(2)(E)(i) of the Social Security Act states that if a CAH operates a distinct part psychiatric or rehabilitation unit it must have 10 beds or less in the DPU and it must comply with the hospital requirements specified in 42 CFR Subpart A, B, C, and D of part 482. Based on 2007 data from HRSA, 81 CAHs have psychiatric distinct part units (DPUs) and 20 CAHs have rehabilitation DPUs. The burden associated with the 101 CAHs with DPUs is reported in CMS-R-48. Form Number: CMS-10239 (OMB#: 0938-New); Frequency: Yearly; Affected Public: Private sector—Business or other for-profit; Number of Respondents: 1,189; Total Annual Responses: 137,990; Total Annual Hours: 23,291.
2. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Hospital Conditions of Participation and Supporting Regulations in 42 CFR 482.12, 482.13, 482.21, 482.22, 482.23, 482.24, 482.27, 482.30, 482.41, 482.43, 482.45, 482.53, 482.56, 482.57, 482.60, 482.61, 482.62, and 485.616 and 485.631; Use: The information collection requirements described in this information collection request are needed to implement the Medicare and Medicaid conditions of participation (CoP) for 4,890 accredited and non-accredited hospitals and an additional 101 critical access hospitals (CAHs) that have distinct part psychiatric or rehabilitation units (DPUs). CAHs that have DPUs must comply with all of the hospital CoPs on these units. Thus, this package reflects the paperwork burden for a total of 4,991 (that is, 4,890 hospitals and 101 CAHs which include 81 CAHs that have psychiatric DPUs and 20 CAHs that have rehabilitation DPUs). The information collection requirements for the remaining 1,183 CAHs have been reported in a separate package under CMS-10239.
The CoPs and accompanying requirements specified in the regulations are used by our surveyors as a basis for determining whether a hospital qualifies for a provider agreement under Medicare and Medicaid. CMS and the health care industry believe that the availability to the facility of the type of records and general content of records, which this regulation specifies, is standard medical practice and is necessary in order to ensure the well-being and safety of patients and professional treatment accountability. Form Number: CMS-R-48 (OMB#: 0938-328); Frequency: Yearly; Affected Public: Private sector—Business or other for-profit; Number of Respondents: 4,991; Total Annual Responses: 1,120,817; Total Annual Hours: 9,151,200.57.
To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access CMS's Web site address 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.
To be assured consideration, comments and recommendations for the proposed information collections must be received by the OMB desk officer at the address below, no later than 5 p.m. on February 19, 2008.
OMB Human Resources and Housing Branch, Attention: Carolyn Lovett, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, Fax Number: (202) 395-6974.
Dated: January 11, 2008.
Michelle Shortt,
Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. E8-909 Filed 1-17-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P