[Federal Register: December 9, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 236)]
[Notices]
[Page 73251-73252]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09de05-90]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
[Document Identifier: CMS-10175]
Emergency Clearance: Public Information Collection Requirements
Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
AGENCY: Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Centers for Medicare and 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 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
collection 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 before the
expiration of the normal time limits under OMB's regulations at 5 CFR
part 1320. This is necessary to ensure compliance with an initiative of
the Administration. We cannot reasonably comply with the normal
clearance procedures because public harm will ensue from the continued
denial of access from providers obtaining National Provider Identifiers
(NPI) en masse.
Currently, providers can obtain a NPI via a paper application or
over the Internet through the National Plan and Provider Enumeration
System (NPPES). These applications must be submitted individually, on a
per-provider basis. We are seeking OMB approval for the electronic file
interchange (EFI) process.
[[Page 73252]]
The EFI process is designed to allow provider-designated organizations
(known as electronic file interchange organizations ``EFIOs'') to
capture multiple providers' NPI application information on a single
file. (This process is also referred to as ``bulk enumeration.'') To
ensure that the EFIO has the authority to act on behalf of each
provider and complies with other Federal requirements, the EFIO must
sign a certification statement and mail it to CMS. The EFI process
therefore cannot commence until the certification statement receives
final OMB clearance.
1. Type of Information Collection Request: New collection; Title of
Information Collection: Certification Statement for Electronic File
Interchange Organizations (EFIOS) that Submit National Provider
Identifier (NPI) Data to the National Plan and Enumeration System; Use:
The EFI process is designed to allow organizations to submit NPI
application information for large numbers of providers in a single
file. Once it has obtained and formatted the necessary provider data,
the EFIO will electronically submit the file to NPPES for processing.
As each file can contain up to approximately 100,000 records, or
provider applications, the EFI process greatly reduces the paperwork
and overall administrative burden associated with enumerating
providers; Form Number: CMS-10175 (OMB: 0938-NEW); Frequency:
Other--One-time; Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, and
Not-for-profit institutions; Number of Respondents: 2000; Total Annual
Responses: 1000; Total Annual Hours: 3000.
CMS is requesting OMB review and approval of these collections by
December 30, 2005, with a 180-day approval period. Written comments and
recommendation will be considered from the public if received by the
individuals designated below by December 23, 2005.
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/regulations/pra/, 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.
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 to the
designees referenced below by December 23, 2005: Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory
Affairs, Division of Regulations Development--B, Room C4-26-05, 7500
Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850, Attn: William N. Parham,
III and, OMB Human Resources and Housing Branch, Attention: Carrie
Lovett, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC
20503.
Dated: December 2, 2005.
Michelle Shortt,
Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic Operations
and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. E5-7153 Filed 12-8-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P