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-281]

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, 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.

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 prior to

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

CFR, Part 1320. The HCFA-R-281 will be used to evaluate the effects of

the ``Medicare and You Handbook: 2000'' to determine that beneficiaries

not only received it and are aware of the information, but whether they

understand the information and are able to use it in making informed

choices about their Medicare plan. Without this information, HCFA would

not be able to obtain the information necessary to determine whether

these goals have been met. The Agency cannot reasonably comply with the

normal clearance procedures because public harm is likely to result due

to the possibility of beneficiaries not being properly informed/

educated as to the importance of their Medicare plan choices.

HCFA is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by 6/

14/99, with a 180-day approval period. Written comments and

recommendations will be accepted from the public if received by the

individuals designated below, by

6/10/99. 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 Collection Request: New Collection.

Title of Information Collection: Survey of Medicare Beneficiaries

for the

[[Page 29658]]

National ``Medicare and You Handbook: 2000'' Evaluation.

Form No.: HCFA-R-281 (OMB 0938-NEW).

Use: As part of the National Medicare Education Program (NMEP),

HCFA plans a national mailing of the Medicare & You 2000 handbook to

the entire Medicare population in September 1999. To evaluate the

effects of the handbook, HCFA needs to know not only that beneficiaries

received it and are aware of the information, but whether they

understand the information and are able to use it in making informed

choices about their Medicare plan.

To quantify whether these goals have been met, measures of what

beneficiaries currently know and understand about the Medicare program

must be established. It is also necessary to compare attitudes and

behavior of beneficiaries who receive the information to those who do

not to determine if the print campaign of the NMEP (Medicare & You

handbook) has been effective.

This survey will be used to determine the effectiveness of the

``Medicare and You Handbook: 2000''.

Frequency: Other: one time.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, and Individuals or

Households.

Number of Respondents: 4,000.

Total Annual Responses: 4,000.

Total Annual Hours: 2,950.

To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms

for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access HCFA's

Web Site address at http://www.hcfa.gov/regs/prdact95.htm, or E-mail

your request, including your address, phone number, 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 6/10/99:

Health Care Financing Administration, Office of Information Services,

Security and Standards Group, Division of HCFA Enterprise Standards,

Attention: Dawn Willinghan, Room N2-14-26, 7500 Security Boulevard,

Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850

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: May 20, 1999.

John P. Burke III,

HCFA Reports Clearance Officer, HCFA Office of Information Services,

Security and Standards Group, Division of HCFA Enterprise Standards.

[FR Doc. 99-13870 Filed 6-1-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4120-03-P