Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request, 44131-44133 [2015-18198]
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44131
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 142 / Friday, July 24, 2015 / Notices
Background and Brief Description
Subtitle A of the Public Health
Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness
and Response Act of 2002, (42 U.S.C.
262a), requires the United States
Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS) to regulate the
possession, use, and transfer of
biological agents or toxins that have the
potential to pose a severe threat to
public health and safety (select agents
and toxins). Subtitle B of the Public
Health Security and Bioterrorism
Preparedness and Response Act of 2002
(which may be cited as the Agricultural
Bioterrorism Protection Act of 2002), (7
U.S.C. 8401), requires the United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA) to
regulate the possession, use, and
transfer of biological agents or toxins
that have the potential to pose a severe
threat to animal or plant health, or
animal or plant products (select agents
information for the possession, use, and
transfer of select agents and toxins.
CDC is requesting OMB approval to
continue to collect information under
the select agent regulations for the next
three years. Information will be
collected via fax, email and hard copy
mail from respondents.
The revisions to the data collection
are primarily changes to the forms to
clarify instructions, correct editorial
errors from previous submission, and
reformat the structure of the forms based
on the day-to-day processing of these
forms. Changes were made to the
following forms: Report of Identification
of a Select Agent or Toxin, Request for
Exemption, Application for Registration,
Request to Transfer Select Agents and
Toxins, and Administrative Review.
There is no cost to respondents other
than their time. The total estimated
annualized burden hours are 8,527.
and toxins). Accordingly, HHS and
USDA have promulgated regulations
requiring individuals or entities that
possess, use, or transfer select agents
and toxins to register with the CDC or
the Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service (APHIS). See 42 CFR part 73, 7
CFR part 331, and 9 CFR part 121 (the
select agent regulations). The Federal
Select Agent Program (FSAP) is the
collaboration of the CDC, Division of
Select Agents and Toxins (DSAT) and
the APHIS Agriculture Select Agent
Services (AgSAS) to administer the
select agent regulations in a manner to
minimize the administrative burden on
persons subject to the select agent
regulations. The FSAP administers the
select agent regulations in close
coordination with the Federal Bureau of
Investigation’s Criminal Justice
Information Services (CJIS).
Accordingly, CDC and APHIS have
adopted an identical system to collect
ESTIMATED ANNUALIZED BURDEN HOURS
Form name
73.3 & 73.4 .....................................................
73.5 & 6 ..........................................................
73.17 ...............................................................
73.19 ...............................................................
73.20 ...............................................................
Leroy A. Richardson,
Chief, Information Collection Review Office,
Office of Scientific Integrity, Office of the
Associate Director for Science, Office of the
Director, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
[FR Doc. 2015–18094 Filed 7–23–15; 8:45 am]
[Document Identifier: CMS–437A & CMS–
437B and CMS–10488]
BILLING CODE 4163–18–P
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Number of responses per
respondent
3
303
1
3
1
1
1
5
277
277
1
277
277
20
277
277
156
1
1
7
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
5
1
1
30/60
5
5
1
5
1
1
277
215
1
2
30/60
1
5
4
1
Request for Exclusions ..................................
Report of Identification of a Select Agent or
Toxin.
Request for Exemption ..................................
Application for Registration ............................
Amendment to a Certificate of Registration ...
Documentation of self-inspection ...................
Request for Expedited Review ......................
Security Plan ..................................................
Biosafety Plan ................................................
Request Regarding a Restricted Experiment
Incident Response Plan .................................
Training ..........................................................
Request to Transfer Select Agents and Toxins.
Records ..........................................................
Notification of Potential Theft, Loss, or Release.
Administrative Review ....................................
73.5 & 73.6 .....................................................
73.7 .................................................................
73.7 .................................................................
73.9 .................................................................
73.10 ...............................................................
73.11 ...............................................................
73.12 ...............................................................
73.13 ...............................................................
73.14 ...............................................................
73.15 ...............................................................
73.16 ...............................................................
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services
Agency Information Collection
Activities: Submission for OMB
Review; Comment Request
ACTION:
Notice.
The Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services (CMS) is announcing
an opportunity for the public to
comment on CMS’ intention to collect
SUMMARY:
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19:59 Jul 23, 2015
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PO 00000
Frm 00113
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Average burden per response
(in hours)
Number of respondents
Regulation sections
information from the public. Under the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(PRA), federal agencies are required to
publish notice in the Federal Register
concerning each proposed collection of
information, including each proposed
extension or reinstatement of an existing
collection of information, and to allow
a second opportunity for public
comment on the notice. Interested
persons are invited to send comments
regarding the burden estimate or any
other aspect of this collection of
information, including any of the
following subjects: The necessity and
utility of the proposed information
collection for the proper performance of
the agency’s functions; the accuracy of
E:\FR\FM\24JYN1.SGM
24JYN1
44132
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 142 / Friday, July 24, 2015 / Notices
the estimated burden; ways to enhance
the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and the use
of automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology to
minimize the information collection
burden.
Comments on the collection(s) of
information must be received by the
OMB desk officer by August 24, 2015.
ADDRESSES: When commenting on the
proposed information collections,
please reference the document identifier
or OMB control number. To be assured
consideration, comments and
recommendations must be received by
the OMB desk officer via one of the
following transmissions: OMB, Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Attention: CMS Desk Officer, Fax
Number: (202) 395–5806 or Email:
OIRA_submission@omb.eop.gov.
To obtain copies of a supporting
statement and any related forms for the
proposed collection(s) summarized in
this notice, you may make your request
using one of following:
1. Access CMS’ Web site address at
https://www.cms.hhs.gov/
PaperworkReductionActof1995.
2. Email your request, including your
address, phone number, OMB number,
and CMS document identifier, to
Paperwork@cms.hhs.gov.
3. Call the Reports Clearance Office at
(410) 786–1326.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Reports Clearance Office at (410) 786–
1326.
DATES:
Under the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA)
(44 U.S.C. 3501–3520), federal agencies
must obtain approval from the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for each
collection of information they conduct
or sponsor. The term ‘‘collection of
information’’ is defined in 44 U.S.C.
3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c) and
includes agency requests or
requirements that members of the public
submit reports, keep records, or provide
information to a third party. Section
3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(2)(A)) requires federal agencies
to publish a 30-day notice in the
Federal Register concerning each
proposed collection of information,
including each proposed extension or
reinstatement of an existing collection
of information, before submitting the
collection to OMB for approval. To
comply with this requirement, CMS is
publishing this notice that summarizes
the following proposed collection(s) of
information for public comment:
1. Type of Information Collection
Request: Revision of a currently
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:59 Jul 23, 2015
Jkt 235001
approved collection. Title of
Information Collection: State Agency
Sheets for Verifying Exclusions from the
Inpatient Prospective Payment System
and Supporting Regulations; Use: For
first time verification requests for
exclusion from the Inpatient Prospective
Payment System (IPPS), a hospital/unit
must notify the Regional Office (RO)
servicing the State in which it is located
that it believes it meets the criteria for
exclusion from the IPPS. Currently, all
new inpatient rehabilitation facilities
(IRFs) must provide written certification
that the inpatient population it intends
to serve will meet the requirements of
the IPPS exclusion criteria for IRFs.
They must also complete the Form
CMS–437A if they are a rehabilitation
unit or complete Form CMS–437B if
they are a rehabilitation hospital. This
information is submitted to the State
Agency (SA) no later than 5 months
before the date the hospital/unit would
become subject to IRF–PPS.
We propose to continue to use the
Criteria Worksheets (Forms CMS–437A
and CMS–437B) for verifying first-time
exclusions from the IPPS, for complaint
surveys, for its annual 5 percent
validation sample, and for facility selfattestation. These forms are related to
the survey and certification and
Medicare approval of the IPPS-excluded
rehabilitation units and rehabilitation
hospitals.
For rehabilitation hospitals and
rehabilitation units already excluded
from the IPPS, annual onsite reverification surveys by the SA are not
required. These hospitals and units will
be provided with a copy of the
appropriate CMS–437 Worksheet at
least 5-months prior to the beginning of
its cost reporting period, so that the
hospital/unit official may complete and
sign an attestation statement and
complete and return the appropriate
CMS–437A or CMS–437B at least 5months prior to the beginning of its cost
reporting period. Fiscal Intermediaries
will continue to verify, on an annual
basis, compliance with the 60 percent
rule (42 CFR 412.29(b)(2)) for
rehabilitation hospitals and
rehabilitation units through a sample of
medical records and the SA will verify
the medical director requirement.
The SA will maintain the documents
unless instructed otherwise by the RO.
The SA will notify the RO at least 60
days prior to the end of the
rehabilitation hospital’s/unit’s cost
reporting period of the IRF’s compliance
or non-compliance with the payment
requirements. The information collected
on these forms, along with other
information submitted by the IRF is
necessary for determining exclusion
PO 00000
Frm 00114
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
from the IPPS. Hospitals and units that
have already been excluded need not
reapply for exclusion. These facilities
will automatically be reevaluated yearly
to determine whether they continue to
meet the exclusion criteria. Form
Number: CMS–437A and CMS–437B
(OMB Control Number: 0938–0986);
Frequency: Yearly; Affected Public:
Private sector (Business or other forprofits); Number of Respondents: 478;
Total Annual Responses: 478; Total
Annual Hours: 120. (For policy
questions regarding this collection
contact James Cowher at 410–786–1948)
2. Type of Information Collection
Request: Revision of a currently
approved information collection; Title
of Information Collection: Consumer
Experience Survey Data Collection; Use:
Section 1311(c)(4) of the Affordable
Care Act (ACA) requires the Department
of Health and Human Services (HHS) to
develop an enrollee satisfaction survey
system that assesses consumer
experience with qualified health plans
(QHPs) offered through an Exchange. It
also requires public display of enrollee
satisfaction information by the
Exchange to allow individuals to easily
compare enrollee satisfaction levels
between comparable plans. The HHS
established the Marketplace Survey and
the QHP Enrollee Experience Survey
(QHP Enrollee Survey) to assess
consumer experience with the
Marketplaces and the QHPs offered
through the Marketplaces. The surveys
include topics to assess consumer
experience with the Marketplace such
as enrollment and customer service, as
well as experience with the health care
system such as communication skills of
providers and ease of access to health
care services. The CMS developed the
surveys using the Consumer Assessment
of Health Providers and Systems
(CAHPS®) principles (https://
www.cahps.ahrq.gov/about.htm) and
established an application and approval
process for survey vendors who want to
participate in collecting QHP enrollee
experience data.
The Marketplace Survey will provide
(1) actionable information that the
Marketplaces can use to improve
performance, (2) information that CMS
and state regulatory organizations can
use for oversight, and (3) a longitudinal
database for future Marketplace
research. The CAHPS® family of
instruments does not have a survey that
assesses entities similar to
Marketplaces, so the Marketplace
Survey items were generated by the
project team. The QHP Enrollee Survey,
which is based on the CAHPS® Health
Plan Survey, will (1) help consumers
choose among competing health plans,
E:\FR\FM\24JYN1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 142 / Friday, July 24, 2015 / Notices
(2) provide actionable information that
the QHPs can use to improve
performance, (3) provide information
that regulatory and accreditation
organizations can use to regulate and
accredit plans, and (4) provide a
longitudinal database for consumer
research.
We are completing two rounds of
developmental testing for the surveys.
The 2014 survey psychometric tests
helped determine psychometric
properties and provided an initial
measure of performance for
Marketplaces and QHPs to use for
quality improvement. Based on
psychometric test results, CMS further
refined the questionnaires and sampling
designs to conduct the 2015 beta test of
each survey. We are requesting
clearance for the national
implementation of the QHP Enrollee
Survey, beginning in 2016. Form
Number: CMS–10488 (OMB control
number: 0938–1221); Frequency:
Annually; Affected Public: Private
sector (Business or other for-profits and
Not-for-profit institutions), Public sector
(Individuals and Households); Number
of Respondents: 120,015; Total Annual
Responses: 120,015; Total Annual
Hours: 29,623. (For policy questions
regarding this collection contact Nidhi
Singh-Shah at 301–492–5110.)
Dated: July 21, 2015.
William N. Parham, III,
Director, Paperwork Reduction Staff, Office
of Strategic Operations and Regulatory
Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2015–18198 Filed 7–23–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and
Families
Privacy Act of 1974, as Amended by
Public Law 100–503; Computer
Matching Program
Notice of a computer
matching program.
AGENCY: Office of Financial Services
(OFS), Office of Administration (OA),
ACF, HHS.
ACTION: Request for public comment on
the Public Assistance Reporting
Information System (PARIS) notice of a
computer matching program between
the Department of Veterans Affairs and
State Public Assistance Agencies
(SPAAs).
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUBJECT:
C.F.D.A. Number: 93.647.
Statutory Authority: Privacy Act of
1974, as amended by Pub. L. 100–503.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:59 Jul 23, 2015
Jkt 235001
In compliance with the
Privacy Act of 1974, as amended by
Public Law 100–503, the Computer
Matching and Privacy Protection Act of
1988, ACF is publishing a notice of a
computer matching program. The
purpose of this computer match is to
identify specific individuals who
receive benefits from the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) and also receive
payments pursuant to various benefit
programs administered by both the
Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS) and the Department of
Agriculture. ACF will facilitate this
program on behalf of SPAAs that
participate in PARIS for verification of
continued eligibility for public
assistance. The match will utilize VA
and SPAA records.
DATES: Submit written comments on or
before August 24, 2015.
ACF will file a report of the subject
matching program with the Committee
on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs of the Senate and
the Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform of the House of
Representatives and the Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs
within the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB). The dates for the
matching program will be effective as
indicated in ‘‘E. Inclusive Dates of the
Matching Program’’ in this notice.
ADDRESSES: Interested parties may
comment on this notice by writing to
the Director, Office of Financial
Services, Office of Administration, 370
L’Enfant Promenade SW., Washington,
DC 20047. All comments received will
be available for public inspection at this
address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Director, Office of Financial Services,
Office of Administration, 370 L’Enfant
Promenade SW., Washington, DC 20047.
Telephone: (202) 401–7237.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Privacy Act of 1974, as amended by
Public Law 100–503, the Computer
Matching and Privacy Protection Act of
1988, (5 U.S.C. 552a), adds certain
protections for individuals applying for
and receiving Federal benefits. The law
regulates the use of computer matching
by Federal agencies when records in a
system of records are matched with
other Federal, State, and local
government records.
Federal agencies that provide or
receive records in computer matching
programs must:
1. Negotiate written agreements with
source agencies;
2. Provide notification to applicants
and beneficiaries that their records are
subject to matching;
SUMMARY:
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Sfmt 4703
44133
3. Verify match findings before
reducing, suspending, or terminating an
individual’s benefits or payments;
4. Furnish detailed reports to
Congress and OMB; and
5. Establish a Data Integrity Board that
must approve matching agreements.
This computer matching program
meets the requirements of Public Law
100–503.
Robert Noonan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for
Administration, ACF.
Notice of Computer Matching Program
A. Participating Agencies
VA and SPAAs.
B. Purpose of the Match
To identify specific individuals who
receive benefits from the VA and also
receive payments pursuant to HHS and
Department of Agriculture benefit
programs, and to verify their continued
eligibility for such benefits. SPAAs will
contact affected individuals and seek to
verify the information resulting from the
match before initiating any adverse
actions based on the match results.
C. Authority for Conducting the Match
The authority for conducting the
matching program is contained in
section 402(a)(6) of the Social Security
Act [42 U.S.C. 602(a)(6)].
D. Records To Be Matched
VA will disclose information from the
system of records identified as
Compensation, Pension, Education, and
Vocational Rehabilitation and
Employment Records–VA (58VA21/22/
28) published at 74 FR 29275, (June 19,
2009), last amended at 77 FR 42593,
(July 19, 2012). VA’s disclosure of
information for use in this computer
match is listed as a routine use in this
system of records.
VA, as the source agency, will prepare
electronic files containing the names
and other personal identifying data of
eligible veterans receiving benefits.
These records are matched
electronically against SPAA files
consisting of data regarding monthly
Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for
Needy Families, general assistance, and
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program beneficiaries.
1. The electronic files provided by the
SPAAs will contain client names and
Social Security numbers (SSNs).
2. The resulting output returned to
SPAAs will contain personal identifiers,
including names, SSNs, employers,
current work or home addresses, etc.
E:\FR\FM\24JYN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 142 (Friday, July 24, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44131-44133]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-18198]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
[Document Identifier: CMS-437A & CMS-437B and CMS-10488]
Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB
Review; Comment Request
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is
announcing an opportunity for the public to comment on CMS' intention
to collect information from the public. Under the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995 (PRA), federal agencies are required to publish notice in
the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of
information, including each proposed extension or reinstatement of an
existing collection of information, and to allow a second opportunity
for public comment on the notice. Interested persons are invited to
send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this
collection of information, including any of the following subjects: The
necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the
proper performance of the agency's functions; the accuracy of
[[Page 44132]]
the estimated burden; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity
of the information to be collected; and the use of automated collection
techniques or other forms of information technology to minimize the
information collection burden.
DATES: Comments on the collection(s) of information must be received by
the OMB desk officer by August 24, 2015.
ADDRESSES: When commenting on the proposed information collections,
please reference the document identifier or OMB control number. To be
assured consideration, comments and recommendations must be received by
the OMB desk officer via one of the following transmissions: OMB,
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: CMS Desk
Officer, Fax Number: (202) 395-5806 or Email:
OIRA_submission@omb.eop.gov.
To obtain copies of a supporting statement and any related forms
for the proposed collection(s) summarized in this notice, you may make
your request using one of following:
1. Access CMS' Web site address at https://www.cms.hhs.gov/PaperworkReductionActof1995.
2. Email your request, including your address, phone number, OMB
number, and CMS document identifier, to Paperwork@cms.hhs.gov.
3. Call the Reports Clearance Office at (410) 786-1326.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Reports Clearance Office at (410) 786-
1326.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), federal agencies must obtain approval from
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of
information they conduct or sponsor. The term ``collection of
information'' is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c) and
includes agency requests or requirements that members of the public
submit reports, keep records, or provide information to a third party.
Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)) requires
federal agencies to publish a 30-day notice in the Federal Register
concerning each proposed collection of information, including each
proposed extension or reinstatement of an existing collection of
information, before submitting the collection to OMB for approval. To
comply with this requirement, CMS is publishing this notice that
summarizes the following proposed collection(s) of information for
public comment:
1. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently
approved collection. Title of Information Collection: State Agency
Sheets for Verifying Exclusions from the Inpatient Prospective Payment
System and Supporting Regulations; Use: For first time verification
requests for exclusion from the Inpatient Prospective Payment System
(IPPS), a hospital/unit must notify the Regional Office (RO) servicing
the State in which it is located that it believes it meets the criteria
for exclusion from the IPPS. Currently, all new inpatient
rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) must provide written certification
that the inpatient population it intends to serve will meet the
requirements of the IPPS exclusion criteria for IRFs. They must also
complete the Form CMS-437A if they are a rehabilitation unit or
complete Form CMS-437B if they are a rehabilitation hospital. This
information is submitted to the State Agency (SA) no later than 5
months before the date the hospital/unit would become subject to IRF-
PPS.
We propose to continue to use the Criteria Worksheets (Forms CMS-
437A and CMS-437B) for verifying first-time exclusions from the IPPS,
for complaint surveys, for its annual 5 percent validation sample, and
for facility self-attestation. These forms are related to the survey
and certification and Medicare approval of the IPPS-excluded
rehabilitation units and rehabilitation hospitals.
For rehabilitation hospitals and rehabilitation units already
excluded from the IPPS, annual onsite re-verification surveys by the SA
are not required. These hospitals and units will be provided with a
copy of the appropriate CMS-437 Worksheet at least 5-months prior to
the beginning of its cost reporting period, so that the hospital/unit
official may complete and sign an attestation statement and complete
and return the appropriate CMS-437A or CMS-437B at least 5-months prior
to the beginning of its cost reporting period. Fiscal Intermediaries
will continue to verify, on an annual basis, compliance with the 60
percent rule (42 CFR 412.29(b)(2)) for rehabilitation hospitals and
rehabilitation units through a sample of medical records and the SA
will verify the medical director requirement.
The SA will maintain the documents unless instructed otherwise by
the RO. The SA will notify the RO at least 60 days prior to the end of
the rehabilitation hospital's/unit's cost reporting period of the IRF's
compliance or non-compliance with the payment requirements. The
information collected on these forms, along with other information
submitted by the IRF is necessary for determining exclusion from the
IPPS. Hospitals and units that have already been excluded need not
reapply for exclusion. These facilities will automatically be
reevaluated yearly to determine whether they continue to meet the
exclusion criteria. Form Number: CMS-437A and CMS-437B (OMB Control
Number: 0938-0986); Frequency: Yearly; Affected Public: Private sector
(Business or other for-profits); Number of Respondents: 478; Total
Annual Responses: 478; Total Annual Hours: 120. (For policy questions
regarding this collection contact James Cowher at 410-786-1948)
2. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently
approved information collection; Title of Information Collection:
Consumer Experience Survey Data Collection; Use: Section 1311(c)(4) of
the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires the Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS) to develop an enrollee satisfaction survey system
that assesses consumer experience with qualified health plans (QHPs)
offered through an Exchange. It also requires public display of
enrollee satisfaction information by the Exchange to allow individuals
to easily compare enrollee satisfaction levels between comparable
plans. The HHS established the Marketplace Survey and the QHP Enrollee
Experience Survey (QHP Enrollee Survey) to assess consumer experience
with the Marketplaces and the QHPs offered through the Marketplaces.
The surveys include topics to assess consumer experience with the
Marketplace such as enrollment and customer service, as well as
experience with the health care system such as communication skills of
providers and ease of access to health care services. The CMS developed
the surveys using the Consumer Assessment of Health Providers and
Systems (CAHPS[supreg]) principles (https://www.cahps.ahrq.gov/about.htm) and established an application and approval process for
survey vendors who want to participate in collecting QHP enrollee
experience data.
The Marketplace Survey will provide (1) actionable information that
the Marketplaces can use to improve performance, (2) information that
CMS and state regulatory organizations can use for oversight, and (3) a
longitudinal database for future Marketplace research. The
CAHPS[supreg] family of instruments does not have a survey that
assesses entities similar to Marketplaces, so the Marketplace Survey
items were generated by the project team. The QHP Enrollee Survey,
which is based on the CAHPS[supreg] Health Plan Survey, will (1) help
consumers choose among competing health plans,
[[Page 44133]]
(2) provide actionable information that the QHPs can use to improve
performance, (3) provide information that regulatory and accreditation
organizations can use to regulate and accredit plans, and (4) provide a
longitudinal database for consumer research.
We are completing two rounds of developmental testing for the
surveys. The 2014 survey psychometric tests helped determine
psychometric properties and provided an initial measure of performance
for Marketplaces and QHPs to use for quality improvement. Based on
psychometric test results, CMS further refined the questionnaires and
sampling designs to conduct the 2015 beta test of each survey. We are
requesting clearance for the national implementation of the QHP
Enrollee Survey, beginning in 2016. Form Number: CMS-10488 (OMB control
number: 0938-1221); Frequency: Annually; Affected Public: Private
sector (Business or other for-profits and Not-for-profit institutions),
Public sector (Individuals and Households); Number of Respondents:
120,015; Total Annual Responses: 120,015; Total Annual Hours: 29,623.
(For policy questions regarding this collection contact Nidhi Singh-
Shah at 301-492-5110.)
Dated: July 21, 2015.
William N. Parham, III,
Director, Paperwork Reduction Staff, Office of Strategic Operations and
Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2015-18198 Filed 7-23-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P
