[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 175 (Friday, September 10, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49196-49197]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-23606]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Health Care Financing Administration
[Document Identifier: HCFA-R-281]
Emergency Clearance: Public Information Collection Requirements
Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
AGENCY: Health Care Financing Administration, HHS.
In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Health Care Financing
Administration (HCFA), 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
collections 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 prior to
the expiration of the normal time limits under OMB's regulations at 5
CFR, Part 1320. The HCFA-R-281 will be used to evaluate the effects of
the ``Medicare and You Handbook: 2000'' to determine that beneficiaries
not only received it and are aware of the information, but whether they
understand the information and are able to use it in making informed
choices about their Medicare plan. Without this information, HCFA would
not be able to obtain the information necessary to determine whether
these goals have been met. The Agency cannot reasonably comply with the
normal clearance procedures because public harm is likely to result due
to the possibility of beneficiaries not being properly informed/
educated as to the importance of their Medicare plan choices.
HCFA is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by 9/
10/99, with a 180-day approval period. Written comments and
recommendations will be accepted from the public if received by the
individuals designated below, by
9/9/99. During this 180-day period, we will publish a separate Federal
Register notice announcing the initiation of an extensive 60-day agency
review and public comment period on these requirements. We will submit
the requirements for OMB review and an extension of this emergency
approval.
Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently
approved collection;
Title of Information Collection: Survey of Medicare Beneficiaries
for the National ``Medicare and You Handbook: 2000'' Evaluation;
Form No.: HCFA-R-281 (OMB #0938-0771);
Use: As part of the National Medicare Education Program (NMEP),
HCFA plans a national mailing of the Medicare & You 2000 handbook to
the entire Medicare population in September 1999. To evaluate the
effects of the handbook, HCFA needs to know not only that beneficiaries
received it and are aware of the information, but whether they
understand the information and are able to use it in
[[Page 49197]]
making informed choices about their Medicare plan.
To quantify whether these goals have been met, measures of what
beneficiaries currently know and understand about the Medicare program
must be established. It is also necessary to compare attitudes and
behavior of beneficiaries who receive the information to those who do
not to determine if the print campaign of the NMEP (Medicare & You
handbook) has been effective.
This survey will be used to determine the effectiveness of the
``Medicare and You Handbook: 2000''.;
Frequency: Other: one time;
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, and Individuals or
Households;
Number of Respondents: 4,250;
Total Annual Responses: 4,250;
Total Annual Hours: 3,019.
To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms
for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access HCFA's
Web Site address at http://www.hcfa.gov/regs/prdact95.htm, or E-mail
your request, including your address, phone number, to
P[email protected], 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 9/9/99:
Health Care Financing Administration, Office of Information Services,
Security and Standards Group, Division of HCFA Enterprise Standards,
Attention: Dawn Willinghan, Room N2-14-26, 7500 Security Boulevard,
Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850 and Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, New Executive
Office Building, Washington, DC 20503, Fax Number: (202) 395-6974 or
(202) 395-5167, Attn: Allison Herron Eydt, HCFA Desk Officer.
Dated: August 31, 1999.
John Parmigiani,
Manager, HCFA Office of Information Services, Security and Standards
Group, Division of HCFA Enterprise Standards.
[FR Doc. 99-23606 Filed 9-9-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-03-P