[Federal Register: November 19, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 223)]
[Notices]               
[Page 67745]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19no04-60]                         

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-10102]

 
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Centers 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) (formerly known as 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.
    1. Type of Information Collection Request: New Collection; Title of 
Information Collection: National Implementation of the Hospital CAHPS 
Survey; Form No.: CMS-10102 (OMB 0938-NEW); Use: Hospital 
CAHPS, part of the Hospital Quality Alliance, is an effort to provide 
comparative performance information on hospitals to the public. HCAHPS 
includes a standardized survey instrument and data collection protocol 
allowing for flexibility in the mode of administration. The goals of 
the HCAHPS are to offer consumers choice and create incentives for 
hospitals to improve performance in areas that are important to 
patients. The current version of the questionnaire and implementation 
strategy has been tested and modified to reflect public input. CMS will 
begin training and implementation for HCAHPS following National Quality 
Forum endorsement and the Office of Management and Budget approval.; 
Frequency: Monthly; Affected Public: Individuals or households; Number 
of Respondents: 2,855,250; Total Annual Responses: 2,855,250; Total 
Annual Hours: 285,525.
    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.
    Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information 
collections must be mailed within 60 days of this notice directly to 
the CMS Paperwork Clearance Officer designated at the following 
address: CMS, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs, 
Division of Regulations Development and Issuances, Attention: Melissa 
Musotto, Room C5-14-03, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 
21244-1850.

    Dated: November 10, 2004.
John P. Burke, III,
Paperwork Reduction Act Team Leader, Office of Strategic Operations and 
Strategic Affairs, Division of Regulations Development and Issuances.
[FR Doc. 04-25721 Filed 11-18-04; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4120-03-P