Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request, 63611-63612 [07-5480]

Agencies

• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
• DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 217 (Friday, November 9, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63611-63612]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-5480]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-10220 and CMS-10224]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
    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), 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 function; (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: Provider Enrollment Chain and Ownership System 
(PECOS) Web Security Consent Form; Form No.: CMS-10220 (OMB 
0938-NEW); Use: In establishing a web based application process, we 
allow providers and suppliers the ability to enroll in the Medicare 
program via the Internet. For these applicants, no security consent 
form is needed to enroll or make a change in their Medicare enrollment 
information. These applicants receive complete access to

[[Page 63612]]

their own enrollments through the web based version of the Provider 
Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS).
    In order to allow a provider or supplier to delegate the Medicare 
credentialing process to another individual or organization, it is 
necessary to establish a Security Consent Form for those providers and 
suppliers who choose to have another individual or organization access 
their enrollment information and complete enrollments on their behalf. 
These users could consist of administrative staff, independent 
contractors, or credentialing departments and are represented as a User 
group. User groups and its members must request access to enrollment 
data through a Security Consent Form. The security consent form 
replicates business service agreements between Medicare applicants and 
organizations providing enrollment services.
    We have revised the information collection request since the 
publication of the 60-day Federal Register notice (72 FR 13793). Rather 
than the four original forms, we are proposing only two different 
versions of the Security Consent Form. The form, once signed, mailed 
and approved, grants a user group or its member's access to all current 
and future enrollment data for the Medicare provider. The user group 
administrator, within the user group, assigns to each member of the 
group, a security role that will define their levels of functionality 
within PECOS via the web for an individual or organization. Frequency: 
Reporting--On occasion; Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, 
not-for-profit institutions, individuals or households; Number of 
Respondents: 177,500; Total Annual Responses: 177,500; Total Annual 
Hours: 44,375.
    2. Type of Information Collection Request: New collection; Title of 
Information Collection: HCPCS Level II Code Modification Request 
Process; Use: For Medicare and other health insurance programs to 
ensure that claims are processed in an orderly and consistent manner, 
standardized coding systems are essential. The Healthcare Common 
Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Level I1 Code Set is one of the 
standard code sets used for this purpose. Level I1 of the HCPCS, also 
referred to as alpha-numeric codes, is a standardized coding system 
that is used primarily to identify products, supplies, and services not 
included in the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes, such as 
ambulatory services and durable medical equipment, prosthetics, 
orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) when used in the home or outpatient 
setting. As technology evolves and new products are developed, there 
are continuous changes to the HCPCS code set. Modifications to the 
HCPCS are initiated via application form submitted by any interested 
stakeholder. These applications have been received on an on-going basis 
with an annual deadline for each cycle. In October 2003, the Secretary 
of Health and Human Services delegated CMS authority to maintain and 
distribute HCPCS Level I1 Codes. As a result, the National Panel was 
delineated and CMS continued with the decision-making process under its 
current structure, the CMS HCPCS Workgroup.
    CMS' Council on Technological Innovation (CTI) has instituted a 
number of improvements to the HCPCS process. Specific process 
refinements include public notification of CMS' preliminary decisions, 
and a new opportunity to respond to CMS' preliminary decisions at a 
public meeting before a final decision is reached by the workgroup. CMS 
has streamlined the form into a user-friendly application. The content 
of the material is the same, but the questions have been refined. CMS 
is also preparing a system of records (SOR) notice.
    Applications are received, and distributed to all workgroup 
members. Workgroup members review the material and provide comments at 
the HCPCS workgroup meetings. Discussions are posted to CMS' HCPCS Web 
site. Final decisions are released to the applicant via letter; and all 
resulting modifications to the HCPCS codes are reflected on the HCPCS 
update. Form Number: CMS-10224 (OMB: 0938-New); Frequency: 
Reporting: Occasionally; Affected Public: Business or other for-profit 
and State, Local or Tribal Government; Number of Respondents: 300; 
Total Annual Responses: 300; Total Annual Hours: 3,300.
    To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms 
for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access CMS Web 
Site address at: https://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 by the OMB desk 
officer at the address below, no later than 5 p.m. on December 10, 
2007. OMB Human Resources and Housing Branch, Attention: Carolyn 
Lovett, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 
20503, Fax Number: (202) 395-6974.

    Dated: October 26, 2007.
Michelle Shortt,
Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic Operations 
and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. 07-5480 Filed 11-8-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P