4120-01-U-P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services [Document Identifiers: CMS-1694 and CMS-R-246] Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Health and Human Services (HHS). 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 the necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the agency’s functions, the accuracy of 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 [INSERT DATE 30 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting "Currently under 30-day Review - Open for Public Comments" or by using the search function. To obtain copies of a supporting statement and any related forms for the proposed collection(s) summarized in this notice, please access the CMS PRA web site by copying and pasting the following web address into your web browser: https://www.cms.gov/Regulationsand-Guidance/Legislation/PaperworkReductionActof1995/PRA-Listing FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Parham at (410) 786-4669. 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: Appointment of Representative and Supporting Regulations in 42 CFR 405.910; Use: The requirements for appointing representatives for claims and appeals processed under 42 CFR part 405 subpart I were codified into regulation at 42 CFR 405.910. In summary, section 405.910 states an individual or entity may appoint a representative to act on their behalf in exercising their rights relative to an initial claim determination or an appeal. The appointment of representation must be in writing and must include all the required elements specified in 405.910(c). The burden associated with this requirement is the time and effort of the individual or entity to prepare an appointment of representation containing all the required information of this section. To reduce some of the burden associated with this requirement, we developed a standardized form that the individual/entity may opt (but is not required) to use. This form would be completed by Medicare beneficiaries, providers and suppliers (typically their billing clerk, or billing company), and any party who wish to appoint a representative to assist them with their initial Medicare claims determinations and filing appeals on Medicare claims. The information supplied on the form is reviewed by Medicare claims and appeals adjudicators. The adjudicators make determinations whether the form was completed accurately, and if the form is correct and accepted, the form is appended to the claim or appeal that it was filed with. Form Number: CMS-1696 (OMB control number: 0938-0950); Frequency: Occasionally; Affected Public: Individuals and Households and Private Sector; Number of Respondents: 213,208; Total Annual Responses: 213,208; Total Annual Hours: 53,302. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Liz Hosna at 410-786-4993. 2. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, and Medicare Fee-For-Service Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) Survey; Use: CMS is required to collect and report information on the quality of health care services and prescription drug coverage available to persons enrolled in a Medicare health or prescription drug plan under provisions in the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA). Specifically, the MMA under Sec. 1860D-4 (Information to Facilitate Enrollment) requires CMS to conduct consumer satisfaction surveys regarding Medicare prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans and report this information to Medicare beneficiaries prior to the Medicare annual enrollment period. The Medicare CAHPS survey meets the requirement of collecting and publicly reporting consumer satisfaction information. The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 also requires the collection of information about fee-forservice plans. The CAHPS survey measures are incorporated into the Part C and D Star Ratings that are published on www.medicare.gov each fall to help consumers choose a Medicare plan. A subset of the CAHPS measures is also included in the Medicare & You Handbook. CAHPS information from MA contracts also feeds into the calculation of MA Quality Bonus Payment Ratings that are required by statute and regulation. The primary purpose of the Medicare CAHPS surveys is to provide information to Medicare beneficiaries to help them make more informed choices among health and prescription drug plans available to them. Survey results are reported by CMS in the Medicare & You Handbook published each fall and on the Medicare Plan Finder website. Beneficiaries can compare CAHPS scores for each health and drug plan as well as compare MA and FFS scores when making enrollment decisions. The Medicare CAHPS also provides data to help CMS and others monitor the quality and performance of Medicare health and prescription drug plans and identify areas to improve the quality of care and services provided to enrollees of these plans. CAHPS data are included in the Medicare Part C & D Star Ratings and used to calculate MA Quality Bonus Payments. Form Number: CMS-R-246 (OMB control number: 0938-0732); Frequency: Yearly; Affected Public: Individuals and Households Number of Respondents: 794,500; Total Annual Responses: 794,500; Total Annual Hours: 192,265. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Lauren Fuentes at 410-786-2290 or lauren.fuentes@cms.hhs.gov). William N. Parham, III, Director, Division of Information Collections and Regulatory Impacts, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs. [FR Doc. 2024-13891 Filed: 6/24/2024 8:45 am; Publication Date: 6/25/2024]