Emergency Clearance: Public Information Collection Requirements Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration

[Document Identifier: HCFA-R-227]

Emergency Clearance: Public Information Collection Requirements

Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

AGENCY: Health Care Financing Administration.

In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 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

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minimize the information collection burden.

We are, however, requesting an emergency review of the information

collections referenced below. In compliance with the requirement of

section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we have

submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) the following

requirements for emergency review. We are requesting an emergency

review because the collection of this information is needed before the

expiration of the normal time limits under OMB's regulations at 5 CFR,

Part 1320. We are requesting emergency clearance so that we can meet

the requirements under the Balanced Budget Act (BBA) (section 1851 (d))

which mandates that HCFA provide comparable information between managed

care and Fee For Service (FFS) regarding quality.

HCFA is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by

03/2/98, with a 180-day approval period. Written comments and

recommendations will be accepted from the public if received by the

individuals designated below by 02/27/98. During this 180-day period,

we will publish a separate Federal Register notice announcing the

initiation of an extensive 60-day agency review and public comment

period on these requirements. We will submit the requirements for OMB

review and an extension of this emergency approval.

Type of Information Request: New collection.

Title of Information Collection: Research and Analytic Support for

implementing Performance Measurement in Fee for Service (FFS).

Form Number: HCFA-R-227 (OMB approval #: 0938-NEW).

Use: As required by the Balanced Budget Act Section 1851 (d) (BBA),

HCFA needs to develop comparable performance measures for FFS Medicare

and group practices. This project will enable HCFA to evaluate the

effectiveness and outcomes of FFS services purchased. This survey

builds on a well established instrument called the SF-36

(1992 Medical Outcomes Trust) to determine health related

quality of life. It is a self administered survey that is completed by

the beneficiary. We will be looking at whether the beneficiary's health

has improved, stayed the same, or deteriorated over a 2 year period of

time compared to their expected health status. It will be risk-adjusted

(e.g., for socioeconomic status, age, gender, and other health

conditions).

The identical instrument is being used in managed care. The Health

of Seniors survey will gather the same information about the health

status of beneficiaries in FFS as is being collected in managed care.

The 1998 survey will provide baseline measurement, (like what is being

collected in managed care) to determine whether the beneficiaries'

health has improved, stayed the same, or deteriorated over a 2 year

period of time compared to their expected health status. HCFA may

potentially disseminate this information to Medicare beneficiaries so

that they may make informed health care choices.

Frequency: Biennially

Affected Public: Individuals or Households, Business or other for-

profit , Not-for-profit, Farms, Federal government and, State, Local or

Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 3,800.

Total Annual Responses: 3,800.

Total Annual Hours Requested: 1,600.

To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms

for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, E-mail your

request, including your address, phone number, and HCFA form number(s)

referenced above, to P[email protected], or call the Reports Clearance

Office on (410) 786-1326.

Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the

burden or any other aspect of these collections of information

requirements. However, as noted above, comments on these information

collection and recordkeeping requirements must be mailed and/or faxed

to the designees referenced below, by 02/27/98:

Health Care Financing Administration, Office of Information Services,

Information Technology Investment Management Group, Division of HCFA

Enterprise Standards, Room C2-26-17, 7500 Security Boulevard,

Baltimore, MD 21244-1850, Fax Number: (410) 786-1415,

Attn: John Rudolph HCFA-R-227

and,

Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and

Budget, Room 10235, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC

20503, Fax Number: (202) 395-6974 or (202) 395-5167, Attn: Allison

Herron Eydt, HCFA Desk Officer.

Dated: February 6, 1998.

John P. Burke III,

HCFA Reports Clearance Officer, HCFA, Office of Information Services,

Information Technology Investment Management Group, Division of HCFA

Enterprise Standards.

[FR Doc. 98-3591 Filed 2-11-98; 8:45 am]

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