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###### Department of Health and Human Services

###### Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

          - [Document Identifier: CMS-855(O)]

# AGENCY:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, HHS.

In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Centers for Medicare & 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 function; (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:*                     Revision of a currently approved collection;                     *Title of Information Collection:*                     Medicare Registration Application;                     *Use:*                     The CMS 855O allows a physician to receive a Medicare identification number (without being approved for billing privileges) for the sole purpose of ordering and referring Medicare beneficiaries to Medicare approved providers and suppliers. This new Medicare registration application form allows physicians who do not provide services to Medicare beneficiaries to be given a Medicare identification number without having to supply all the data required for the submission of Medicare claims. It also allows the Medicare program to identify ordering and referring physicians without having to validate the amount of data necessary to determine claims payment eligibility (such as banking information), while continuing to identify the physician's credentials as valid for ordering and referring purposes. Since the physicians and non-physician practitioners submitting this application are not enrolling in Medicare to submit claims but are only registering with Medicare as eligible to order and refer, CMS believes changing the title from Medicare Enrollment Application to Medicare Registration Application better captures the actual purpose of this form.                

                    Where appropriate, CMS has changed all references to enrollment or enrolling to registration and registering and Medicare billing number to National Provider Identifier. CMS also added a check box to allow physicians and non-physician practitioners to withdraw from the ordering and referring registry. A section to collect information on professional certifications was added for those practitioners who are not professionally licensed. Editorial and formatting corrections were made in response to prior comments received during the approval of the current version of this application. Other minor editorial and formatting corrections were made to better clarify the purpose of this application.                     *Form Number:*                     CMS-855(O) (OCN: 0938-1135);                     *Frequency:*                     Occasionally;                     *Affected Public:*                     Individuals;                     *Number of Respondents:*                     48,500;                     *Total Annual Responses:*                     48,500;                     *Total Annual Hours:*                     24,125. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Kimberly McPhillips at 410-786-5374. For all other issues call 410-786-1326.)                

                    2.                     *Type of Information Collection Request:*                     Extension of a currently approved collection;                     *Title of                               ( print page 20403)                            Information Collection:*                     Medicare Enrollment Application;                     *Use:*                     The primary function of the CMS-855 Medicare enrollment application is to gather information from a provider or supplier that tells us who it is, whether it meets certain qualifications to be a health care provider or supplier, where it practices or renders its services, the identity of the owners of the enrolling entity, and other information necessary to establish correct claims payments.                     *Form Number:*                     CMS-855(A, B, I, R) (OCN: 0938-0685);                     *Frequency:*                     Yearly;                     *Affected Public:*                     Private Sector; Business or other for-profit and not-for-profit institutions;                     *Number of Respondents:*                     440,450;                     *Total Annual Responses:*                     440,450;                     *Total Annual Hours:*                     856,395. (For policy questions regarding this contact Kim McPhillips at 410-786-5374. For all other issues call 410-786-1326.)                

                    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/​PaperworkReductionActof1995,*                     or Email 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.                

                    To be assured consideration, comments and recommendations for the proposed information collections must be received by the OMB desk officer at the address below, no later than 5 p.m. on                     *May 4, 2012*.                

                    OMB, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: CMS Desk Officer, Fax Number: (202) 395-6974, Email:                     *OIRA_submission@omb.eop.gov*.                

Dated: March 28, 2012.

Martique Jones,

Director, Regulations Development Group, Division B, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs.

[FR Doc. 2012-8010 Filed 4-3-12; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4120-01-P