[Federal Register: June 1, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 105)]
[Notices]
[Page 31191-31192]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01jn06-68]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[60 Day-06-0242x]
Proposed Data Collections Submitted for Public Comment and
Recommendations
In compliance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 for opportunity for public comment on
proposed data collection projects, the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects.
To request more information on the proposed projects or to obtain a
copy of the data collection plans and instruments, call 404-639-5960
and send comments to Seleda Perryman, CDC Assistant Reports Clearance
Officer, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-D74, Atlanta, GA 30333 or send an e-mail
to omb@cdc.gov.
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the
proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality,
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents,
including through the use of automated collection techniques or other
forms of information technology. Written comments should be received
within 60 days of this notice.
Proposed Project
Estimating the Cost of Sigmoidoscopy and Colonoscopy for Colorectal
Cancer Screening in U.S. Healthcare Facilities--New--National Center
for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP), Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Background and Brief Description
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-
related deaths in the United States. In 2005, it was estimated that
approximately 56,300 Americans died from CRC and about 145,300 new
cases were diagnosed. The risk of developing CRC increases with
advancing age. More than 90% of newly diagnosed CRCs occur in persons
50 years of age and older. Several scientific studies have demonstrated
that regular screening for CRC reduces the incidence and mortality
cases stemming from this disease. Other studies have shown that regular
screening for CRC is also cost-effective in terms of years of life
saved.
Despite strong scientific evidence and evidence-based clinical
guidelines recommending screening, current screening rates remain low.
A recent CDC study reported that more than 40 million Americans who are
50 years of age or older and at average risk for CRC have not been
screened in accordance with current guidelines. The study also reported
that screening this population with current endoscopic (i.e., flexible
sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy) capacity in the health care system could
require as much as ten years to complete. An effective national effort
to promote CRC screening could increase the demand for endoscopic
procedures.
It has been reported that reimbursements for endoscopic procedures
in publicly-funded programs may not be adequate to cover the costs of
performing these procedures. This may be a disincentive for providers
to perform endoscopy procedures. Currently, there is little information
available about the resources required or the cost of providing these
procedures in different types of healthcare facilities in the United
States.
The purpose of this project is to conduct a survey of a nationally
representative sample of healthcare
[[Page 31192]]
facilities in order to estimate the average variable costs of providing
colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy for CRC screening and follow-up
services. Over time, payments need to cover fixed costs in addition to
variable costs. If some facilities have the ability to provide more
procedures without additional investment in space or equipment, then
recovering fixed costs is not necessary at least in the short run. The
estimated average variable cost by procedure will be compared to the
reimbursement rates for both screening procedures in order to determine
whether the payments to facilities exceed this minimum threshold.
Otherwise, facilities will find reimbursement a potential barrier to
expansion of CRC screening to uninsured or underinsured populations
even if there is underutilized capacity. The study will also determine
whether there are factors that affect average variable costs across
facilities such as the number of procedures performed, specialization
in types of procedures or other characteristics of the facility.
Results of this study will be used to better understand the economics
of colorectal cancer screening.
Respondents include medical facility receptionists, hospital
operators, and office/business managers. There is no cost to the
respondent, other than their time.
Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
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Number of Average burden
Form type Number of responses per per response Total burden
respondents respondent (in hours) hours
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Telephone script to medical facility 4,160 1 5/60 347
receptionists..................................
Mail Survey to hospital-based outpatient 1,000 1 1 1,000
department managers............................
Mail Survey to ambulatory surgery center 725 1 1 725
managers.......................................
Total....................................... .............. .............. .............. 2,072
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Dated: May 24, 2006.
Joan F. Karr,
Acting Report Clearance Officer, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention.
[FR Doc. E6-8453 Filed 5-31-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P