[Federal Register: December 14, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 240)]
[Notices]               
[Page 71140]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14de07-47]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-10177]

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

AGENCY: Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health 
and Human Services.
    In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Centers for Medicare and 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 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 
collection 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(a)(2)(ii). This is necessary to ensure compliance with an 
initiative of the Administration. We cannot reasonably comply with the 
normal clearance procedures because of an unanticipated event, as 
stated in 5 CFR 1320.13(a)(2)(ii).
    1. Type of Information Collection Request: New collection; Title of 
Information Collection: Survey of Contract Labor in Selected Health 
Industries; Form Number: CMS-10177 (OMB: 0938-New); Use: The 
Office of the Actuary (OACT), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid 
Services (CMS) is requesting emergency review and approval of an 
information collection request (ICR) for a one-time, seven-question 
survey of professional contract labor costs in selected health 
industries. The survey will empirically quantify the locally-purchased 
and nationally-purchased proportions of professional contract labor 
costs incurred by hospitals, skilled nursing facilities (SNF), and 
kidney dialysis centers (ESRD). The results of this study will 
determine the proportion of professional contract labor costs that 
should be included in the labor-related share (LRS). The LRS of 
Medicare perspective payment system (PPS) payments is the proportion of 
said payment that is subject to the area wage index adjustment. This 
adjustment accounts for geographic variation, thus the survey will 
directly impact the distribution of Medicare hospital and SNF payments 
to PPS providers. ESRD providers are not paid prospectively at this 
time, although that appears likely at some point in the future. 
Frequency: One-time; Affected Public: Private Sector and State, Tribal 
and Local governments; Number of Respondents: 4,000; Total Annual 
Responses: 4,000; Total Annual Hours: 4,000.
    CMS is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by 
January 14, 2008, with a 180-day approval period. Written comments and 
recommendations will be considered from the public if received by the 
individuals designated below by December 31, 2007.
    To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms 
for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access CMS' 
Web Site address at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/regulations/pra 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.
    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 December 31, 2007: CMS, Office of 
Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs, Division of Regulations 
Development--B, Attn: William N. Parham, III, Room C4-26-05, 7500 
Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850. and, OMB Human Resources 
and Housing Branch, Attention: Carolyn Lovett, New Executive Office 
Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, Fax Number: (202) 395-6974.

    Dated: December 7, 2007.
Michelle Shortt,
Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic Operations 
and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. E7-24261 Filed 12-13-07; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4120-01-P