[Federal Register: April 20, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 76)]
[Notices]
[Page 19934-19935]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20ap07-74]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
[Document Identifier: CMS-10217, CMS-R-297 and CMS-10223]
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request
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) 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.
1. Type of Information Collection Request: New collection; Title of
Information Collection: Physician Survey for the 2006 Medicare Oncology
Demonstration Program; Form Numbers: CMS-10217 (OMB: 0938-
New); Use: The 2006 Oncology Demonstration Program aimed to: (1) Have
oncology payments increasingly focused on patient-centered care, rather
than chemotherapy administration; (2) learn to what extent Medicare
beneficiaries are being treated in a manner that yields the best
outcomes; (3) understand clinical cancer scenarios where there is not
clinical consensus among physicians on the relevance of specific
evidence-based practice guidelines; and, (4) ensure that due emphasis
is placed on multi-disciplinary, comprehensive approach to palliation
and end of life care. In addition, CMS hoped to reduce the potential
that unnecessary services and tests are being performed, thereby
lowering program costs while yielding better quality of life for
Medicare beneficiaries with cancer. This survey will provide
information on how physicians, particularly oncologists and
hematologists, adapted their practice in response to the CMS payment
incentive, to guide future CMS demonstration projects involving
oncologists and all specialists. Frequency: Reporting--Once; Affected
Public: Individuals or households; Number of Respondents: 600; Total
Annual Responses: 600; Total Annual Hours: 100.
2. Type of Information Collection Request: Extension without change
of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection:
Request for Employment Information; Form Numbers: CMS-R-297
(OMB: 0938-0787); Use: Section 1837(i) of the Social Security
Act provides for a special enrollment period for individuals who delay
enrolling in Medicare Part B because they are covered by a group health
plan based on their own or a spouse's current employment status. When
these individuals apply for Medicare Part B, they must provide proof
that the group health plan coverage is (or was) based on current
employment status. This form is used by the Social Security
Administration to obtain information from employers regarding whether a
Medicare beneficiary's coverage under a group health plan is based on
current employment status. Frequency: Reporting--Once; Affected Public:
Business or Other for profit and Not-for-profit institutions; Number of
Respondents: 5000; Total Annual Responses: 5000; Total Annual Hours:
1250.
3. Type of Information Collection Request: New collection; Title of
Information Collection: Medicare Competitive Acquisition Program (CAP)
for Part B Drugs Evaluation: CAP Physician Survey; Form Numbers: CMS-
10223 (OMB: 0938-New); Use: This physician survey is part of
an overall evaluation of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
congressionally mandated Competitive Acquisition for Part B Drugs and
Biologicals Program (CAP). Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and
Modernization Act (MMA) section 303(d) requires the implementation of
the CAP for those drugs and biologicals covered by Medicare part B that
are not paid on a cost or prospective payment system. Since July 1,
2006, physicians have been given a choice between (1) Buying and
billing for these covered drugs under the average sales price (ASP)
system mandated in section
[[Page 19935]]
303(c) of the MMA; or (2) obtaining these drugs from vendors selected
for the CAP in a competitive bidding process. If the physician elects
to obtain drugs from a CAP vendor, the vendor, rather than the
physician, will bill Medicare for the drug. The CAP is therefore a
major change in the way Part B-covered drugs and biologicals are
acquired and reimbursed for, requiring CMS to consider many design
options. The CAP mandate includes a Report to Congress due July, 1
2008, which will include results from this physician survey; Frequency:
Reporting--Once; Affected Public: Business or Other for-profits; Number
of Respondents: 1560; Total Annual Responses: 1560; Total Annual Hours:
297.50.
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/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 at the address below,
no later than 5 p.m. on June 19, 2007.
CMS, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs,
Division of Regulations Development--C, Attention: Bonnie L Harkless,
Room C4-26-05, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850.
Dated: April 13, 2007.
Michelle Shortt,
Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic Operations
and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. E7-7423 Filed 4-19-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P