[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 34 (Thursday, February 20, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7791-7792]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-4337]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration

[Form # HCFA-P-15A]
Emergency Clearance: Public Information Collection Requirements 
Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
    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 (DHSS), 
has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) the 
following request 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, thus causing the disruption of this collection of 
information, which is essential to the agency's mission of ensuring 
that beneficiary needs are evaluated and implemented, to the extent 
possible, in a cost-effective manner. The Agency cannot reasonably 
comply with the normal clearance procedures because public harm is 
likely to result if normal clearance procedures are followed. Without 
this information, HCFA would not be able to properly determine the 
services needed by beneficiaries or the most cost efficient manner to 
meet beneficiary needs, possibly resulting in the denial of beneficiary 
warranted services and a loss of program dollars.
    HCFA is requesting that OMB provide a 24-hour review and a 180-day 
approval. During this 180-day period HCFA will pursue OMB clearance of 
this collection as stipulated by 5 CFR 1320.5.
    1. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently 
approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Medicare Current 
Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) Round 18; Form No.: HCFA-P-15A; Use: The MCBS 
is a continuous, multipurpose survey of a nationally representative 
sample of aged and disabled persons for Medicare. The survey provides a 
comprehensive source of information on beneficiary characteristics, 
needs, and satisfaction with Medicare-related activities. The proposed 
MCBS revisions will focus on the evaluation of beneficiary 
informational needs. This information will enable HCFA to better 
coordinate and integrate its current communication objectives 
effectively and efficiently; Frequency: On occasion; Affected Public: 
Individuals and households; Number of Respondents: 16,000; Total Annual 
Responses: 16,000; Total Annual Hours: 16,000.

[[Page 7792]]

    To request copies of the proposed paperwork collections referenced 
above, call the Reports Clearance Office on (410) 786-1325. Written 
comments and recommendations for the proposed information collections 
should be faxed to OMB at (202) 395-6974, or sent within 48 hours of 
this notice directly to the OMB Desk Officer designated at the 
following address: OMB Human Resources and Housing Branch, Attention: 
Allison Eydt, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, 
D.C. 20503.

    Dated: February 18, 1997.
Edwin J. Glatzel,
Director, Management Analysis and Planning Staff, Office of Financial 
and Human Resources, Health Care Financing Administration.
[FR Doc. 97-4337 Filed 2-19-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-03-P