3152 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 15 / Tuesday, January 23, 2018 / Notices 

Center for Injury Prevention and Control 

(NCIPC), the National Center for 

Environmental Health (NCEH), and the 

Agency for Toxic Substances and 

Disease Registry (ATSDR). 

DATES: Nominations for membership on 

the NCIPC, NCEH and ATSDR SEPs 

must be received no later than June 30, 

2018. Packages received after this time 

will not be considered for the current 

membership cycle. 

ADDRESSES: All nominations should be 

mailed to NCIPC Extramural Program 

Office (ERPO): Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford 

Highway, Mailstop F–63, Atlanta, GA 

30341, emailed (recommended) to 

NCIPC_ERPO@cdc.gov, or faxed to (770) 

488–4529. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Kenneth Roberts, Public Health Analyst, 

CDC/NCIPC/ERPO, 4770 Buford 

Highway, Mailstop F–63, Atlanta, GA 

30341; Telephone: (404) 498–1427; 

Email: KRoberts3@cdc.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 

Disease, Disability, and Injury 

Prevention and Control Special 

Emphasis Panel provides advice and 

guidance to the Secretary, Department 

of Health and Human Services (HHS); 

the Director, Centers for Disease Control 

and Prevention (CDC), and the 

Administrator, Agency for Toxic 

Substances and Disease Registry 

(ATSDR) regarding the concept review, 

scientific and technical merit of grant 

and cooperative agreement assistance 

applications, and contract proposals 

relating to the causes, prevention, and 

control of diseases, disabilities, injuries, 

and impairments of public health 

significance; exposure to hazardous 

substances in the environment; health 

promotion and education; and other 

related activities that promote health 

and well-being. Nominations are being 

sought for individuals who have 

expertise and qualifications necessary to 

contribute to the accomplishment of 

CDC SEP objectives. Reviewers with 

expertise in the following research 

fields for injury and violence prevention 

are sought to serve on the NCIPC SEPs, 

for research and evaluation related, but 

not limited to: child abuse and neglect, 

opioid overdose, intimate partner 

violence, motor vehicle injury, older 

adult falls, self-directed violence, sexual 

violence, traumatic brain injury, teen 

dating violence and youth violence (see 

www.cdc.gov/injury/researchpriorities). 

Reviewers with expertise in the 

following research fields for prevention 

and reduction of adverse effects related 

to environmental hazards are sought to 

serve on the NCEH/ATSDR SEPs, for 

research and evaluation related, but not 

limited to: environmental pollutants 

(air/water), toxic substances most 

commonly found at facilities on the 

National Priorities List (NPL) (see 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/spl), chemical 

releases, natural disasters, and other 

potential NCEH/ATSDR research 

priorities. In addition, reviewers with 

expertise in the following 

methodological fields are sought to 

serve on the NCIPC, NCEH and ATSDR 

SEPs: economic evaluation, etiology of 

disease, implementation and translation 

science, intervention research, policy 

evaluation, program evaluation, 

qualitative research design, quantitative 

research design, statistics, and 

surveillance. Members and Chairs shall 

be selected by the Secretary, HHS, or 

other official to whom the authority has 

been delegated, on an ‘‘as needed’’ basis 

in response to specific applications 

being reviewed with expertise to 

provide advice. Members will be 

selected from authorities in the various 

fields of prevention and control of 

diseases, disabilities, and injuries. 

Members of other chartered HHS 

advisory committees may serve on the 

panel if their expertise is required. 

Consideration is given to professional 

training and background, points of view 

represented, and upcoming applications 

to be reviewed by the committee. 

Information about nominated potential 

reviewers will be maintained in the 

NCIPC Extramural Research Program 

Office (ERPO) Scientific Reviewer and 

Advisor Database. The work of 

reviewers’ appointed to CDC SEPs 

includes the initial review, discussion, 

and written critique and evaluation of 

applications. This work will enable the 

CDC to fulfill its mission of funding 

meritorious research that provides vital 

knowledge about underlying risk and 

protective factors and strategies for: 

violence and injury prevention 

(www.cdc.gov/injury), exposures to 

environmental agents and hazardous 

substances (www.atsdr.cdc.gov), and the 

environmental public health impact 

caused by intentional or unintentional 

events (www.cdc.gov/nceh). 

The U.S. Department of Health and 

Human Services policy stipulates that 

committee membership be balanced in 

terms of points of view represented, and 

the committee’s function. Appointments 

shall be made without discrimination 

on the basis of age, race, ethnicity, 

gender, sexual orientation, gender 

identity, HIV status, disability, and 

cultural, religious, or socioeconomic 

status. Nominees must be U.S. citizens, 

and cannot be full-time employees of 

the U.S. Government. Current 

participation on federal workgroups or 

prior experience serving on a federal 

advisory committee does not disqualify 

a candidate; however, HHS policy is to 

avoid excessive individual service on 

advisory committees and multiple 

committee memberships. Reviewers 

appointed to the CDC SEPs are not 

considered Special Government 

Employees, and will not be required to 

file financial disclosure reports. 

Nominees interested in serving as a 

potential reviewer on a CDC SEP for 

NCIPC, NCEH, or ATSDR programs 

should submit the following items: 

• Current curriculum vitae, 

highlighting specific areas of research 

interest and expertise as well as 

complete contact information (name, 

affiliation, mailing address, telephone 

number, and email address). 

Nomination materials must be 

postmarked by April 30, 2018 and sent 

by U.S. mail to: NCIPC Extramural 

Research Program Office (ERPO): 

Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, 

Mailstop F–63, Atlanta, Georgia 30341 

or to the ERPO electronic mailbox 

NCIPC_ERPO@cdc.gov. Nominations 

may be submitted by the candidate himor herself, or by the person/organization 

recommending the candidate. 

The Director, Management Analysis 

and Services Office, has been delegated 

the authority to sign Federal Register 

notices pertaining to announcements of 

meetings and other committee 

management activities for both CDC and 

the Agency for Toxic Substances and 

Disease Registry. 

Elaine L. Baker, 

Director, Management Analysis and Services 

Office, Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention. 

[FR Doc. 2018–01116 Filed 1–22–18; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4163–18–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND 

HUMAN SERVICES 

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid 

Services 

[CMS–3351–PN] 

Medicare and Medicaid Programs; 

Application by The Compliance Team 

for Continued CMS Approval of Its 

Rural Health Clinic Accreditation 

Program 

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & 

Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS. 

ACTION: Proposed notice with request for 

comment. 

SUMMARY: This proposed notice 

acknowledges the receipt of an 

application from The Compliance Team 


sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 15 / Tuesday, January 23, 2018 / Notices 3153 

(TCT) for continued recognition as a 

national accrediting organization for 

rural health clinics (RHCs) that wish to 

participate in the Medicare or Medicaid 

programs. The statute requires that 

within 60 days of receipt of an 

organization’s complete application, the 

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid 

Services (CMS) publish a notice that 

identifies the national accrediting body 

making the request, describes the nature 

of the request, and provides at least a 

30-day public comment period. 

DATES: To be assured consideration, 

comments must be received at one of 

the addresses provided below, no later 

than 5 p.m. February 22, 2018. 

ADDRESSES: In commenting, refer to file 

code CMS–3351–PN. Because of staff 

and resource limitations, we cannot 

accept comments by facsimile (FAX) 

transmission. 

You may submit comments in one of 

four ways (please choose only one of the 

ways listed): 

1. Electronically. You may submit 

electronic comments on this regulation 

to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow 

the ‘‘Submit a comment’’ instructions. 

2. By regular mail. You may mail 

written comments to the following 

address ONLY: Centers for Medicare & 

Medicaid Services, Department of 

Health and Human Services, Attention: 

CMS–3351–PN, P.O. Box 8016, 

Baltimore, MD 21244–8013. 

Please allow sufficient time for mailed 

comments to be received before the 

close of the comment period. 

3. By express or overnight mail. You 

may send written comments to the 

following address ONLY: Centers for 

Medicare & Medicaid Services, 

Department of Health and Human 

Services, Attention: CMS–3351–PN, 

Mail Stop C4–26–05, 7500 Security 

Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244–1850. 

4. By hand or courier. Alternatively, 

you may deliver (by hand or courier) 

your written comments ONLY to the 

following addresses: 

a. For delivery in Washington, DC— 

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid 

Services, Department of Health and 

Human Services, Room 445–G, Hubert 

H. Humphrey Building, 200 

Independence Avenue SW, Washington, 

DC 20201. 

(Because access to the interior of the 

Hubert H. Humphrey Building is not 

readily available to persons without 

Federal government identification, 

commenters are encouraged to leave 

their comments in the CMS drop slots 

located in the main lobby of the 

building. A stamp-in clock is available 

for persons wishing to retain a proof of 

filing by stamping in and retaining an 

extra copy of the comments being filed.) 

b. For delivery in Baltimore, MD— 

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid 

Services, Department of Health and 

Human Services, 7500 Security 

Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244–1850. 

If you intend to deliver your 

comments to the Baltimore address, call 

telephone number (410) 786–7195 in 

advance to schedule your arrival with 

one of our staff members. 

Comments erroneously mailed to the 

addresses indicated as appropriate for 

hand or courier delivery may be delayed 

and received after the comment period. 

For information on viewing public 

comments, see the beginning of the 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Christina Mister-Ward, (410) 786– 

2441. 

Monda Shaver, (410) 786–3410. 

Patricia Chmielewski, (410) 786–6899. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Inspection 

of Public Comments: All comments 

received before the close of the 

comment period are available for 

viewing by the public, including any 

personally identifiable or confidential 

business information that is included in 

a comment. We post all comments 

received before the close of the 

comment period on the following 

website as soon as possible after they 

have been received: http://

www.regulations.gov. Follow the search 

instructions on that website to view 

public comments. 

I. Background 

Under the Medicare program, eligible 

beneficiaries may receive covered 

services in a rural health clinic (RHC) 

provided certain requirements are met 

by the RHC. Section 1861(aa) and 

1905(l)(1) of the Social Security Act (the 

Act), establish distinct criteria for 

facilities seeking designation as a RHC. 

Regulations concerning provider 

agreements are at 42 CFR part 489 and 

those pertaining to activities relating to 

the survey and certification of facilities 

are at 42 CFR part 488, subpart A. The 

regulations at 42 CFR part 491, subpart 

A specify the conditions that a RHC 

must meet to participate in the Medicare 

program. The scope of covered services 

and the conditions for Medicare 

payment for RHCs are set forth at 42 

CFR part 405, subpart X. 

Generally, to enter into a provider 

agreement with the Medicare program, a 

RHC must first be certified by a state 

survey agency as complying with the 

conditions or requirements set forth in 

42 CFR part 491. Thereafter, the RHC is 

subject to regular surveys by a state 

survey agency to determine whether it 

continues to meet these requirements. 

There is an alternative, however, to 

surveys by state agencies. Section 

1865(a)(1) of the Act provides that, if a 

provider entity demonstrates through 

accreditation by an approved national 

accrediting organization that all 

applicable Medicare conditions are met 

or exceeded, we will deem those 

provider entities as having met the 

requirements. Accreditation by an 

accrediting organization is voluntary 

and is not required for Medicare 

participation. 

If an accrediting organization is 

recognized by the Secretary as having 

standards for accreditation that meet or 

exceed Medicare requirements, any 

provider entity accredited by the 

national accrediting body’s approved 

program would be deemed to meet the 

Medicare conditions. A national 

accrediting organization applying for 

CMS approval of its accreditation 

program under 42 CFR part 488, subpart 

A, must provide us with reasonable 

assurance that the accrediting 

organization requires the accredited 

provider entities to meet requirements 

that are at least as stringent as the 

Medicare conditions. Our regulations 

concerning the approval of accrediting 

organizations are set forth at § 488.5. 

Section 488.5(e)(2)(i) requires an 

accrediting organization to reapply for 

continued approval of its accreditation 

program every 6 years or as determined 

by CMS. The Compliance Team (TCT) 

current term of approval for its RHC 

accreditation program expires July 18, 

2018. 

II. Approval of Accreditation 

Organizations 

Section 1865(a)(2) of the Act and 

§ 488.5 require that our findings 

concerning review and approval of a 

national accrediting organization’s 

requirements consider, among other 

factors, the applying accrediting 

organization’s requirements for 

accreditation; survey procedures; 

resources for conducting required 

surveys; capacity to furnish information 

for use in enforcement activities; 

monitoring procedures for provider 

entities found not in compliance with 

the conditions or requirements; and 

ability to provide us with the necessary 

data for validation. 

Section 1865(a)(3)(A) of the Act 

further requires that we publish, within 

60 days of receipt of an organization’s 

complete application, a notice 

identifying the national accrediting 

body making the request, describing the 

nature of the request, and providing at 

least a 30-day public comment period. 

We have 210 days from the receipt of a 


sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
3154 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 15 / Tuesday, January 23, 2018 / Notices 

complete application to publish notice 

of approval or denial of the application. 

The purpose of this proposed notice 

is to inform the public of TCT’s request 

for continued CMS approval of its RHC 

accreditation program. This notice also 

solicits public comment on whether 

TCT’s requirements meet or exceed the 

Medicare conditions for certification for 

RHCs. 

III. Evaluation of Accreditation 

Organization Request 

TCT submitted all the necessary 

materials to enable us to make a 

determination concerning its request for 

continued approval of its RHC 

accreditation program. This application 

was determined to be complete on 

November 24, 2017. Under section 

1865(a)(2) of the Act and § 488.5 

(Application and re-application 

procedures for national accrediting 

organizations), our review and 

evaluation of TCT will be conducted in 

accordance with, but not necessarily 

limited to, the following factors: 

• The equivalency of TCT’s standards 

for RHCs as compared with CMS’s RHC 

conditions for certification. 

• TCT’s survey process to determine 

the following: 

++ The composition of the survey 

team, surveyor qualifications, and the 

ability of the organization to provide 

continuing surveyor training. 

++ The comparability of TCT’s 

processes to those of state agencies, 

including survey frequency, and the 

ability to investigate and respond 

appropriately to complaints against 

accredited facilities. 

++ TCT’s processes and procedures 

for monitoring a RHC determined to be 

out of compliance with TCT’s program 

requirements. These monitoring 

procedures are used only when TCT 

identifies noncompliance. If 

noncompliance is identified through 

validation reviews or complaint 

surveys, the state survey agency 

monitors corrections as specified at 

§ 488.9(c). 

++ TCT’s capacity to report 

deficiencies to the surveyed facilities 

and respond to the facility’s plan of 

correction in a timely manner. 

++ TCT’s capacity to provide CMS 

with electronic data and reports 

necessary for effective validation and 

assessment of the organization’s survey 

process. 

++ The adequacy of TCT’s staff and 

other resources, and its financial 

viability. 

++ TCT’s capacity to adequately fund 

required surveys. 

++ TCT’s policies with respect to 

whether surveys are announced or 

unannounced, to assure that surveys are 

unannounced. 

++ TCT’s agreement to provide CMS 

with a copy of the most current 

accreditation survey together with any 

other information related to the survey 

as CMS may require (including 

corrective action plans). 

IV. Collection of Information 

Requirements 

This document does not impose 

information collection requirements, 

that is, reporting, recordkeeping or 

third-party disclosure requirements. 

Consequently, there is no need for 

review by the Office of Management and 

Budget under the authority of the 

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 

U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). 

V. Response to Public Comments 

Because of the large number of public 

comments we normally receive on 

Federal Register documents, we are not 

able to acknowledge or respond to them 

individually. We will consider all 

comments we receive by the date and 

time specified in the DATES section of 

this preamble, and, when we proceed 

with a subsequent document, we will 

respond to the comments in the 

preamble to that document. 

Upon completion of our evaluation, 

including evaluation of comments 

received as a result of this notice, we 

will publish a final notice in the Federal 

Register announcing the result of our 

evaluation. 

Dated: January 12, 2018. 

Seema Verma, 

Administrator, Centers for Medicare & 

Medicaid Services. 

[FR Doc. 2018–01178 Filed 1–22–18; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4120–01–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND 

HUMAN SERVICES 

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid 

Services 

[Document Identifier CMS–10549] 

Agency Information Collection 

Activities: Submission for OMB 

Review; Comment Request 

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & 

Medicaid 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 February 22, 2018. 

ADDRESSES: When commenting on the 

proposed information collections, 

please reference the document identifier 

or OMB control number. To be assured 

consideration, comments and 

recommendations must be received by 

the OMB desk officer via one of the 

following transmissions: OMB, Office of 

Information and Regulatory Affairs, 

Attention: CMS Desk Officer, Fax 

Number: (202) 395–5806 OR Email: 

OIRA_submission@omb.eop.gov. 

To obtain copies of a supporting 

statement and any related forms for the 

proposed collection(s) summarized in 

this notice, you may make your request 

using one of following: 

1. Access CMS’ website address at 

website address at https://www.cms.gov/ 

Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/ 

PaperworkReductionActof1995/PRAListing.html. 

2. Email your request, including your 

address, phone number, OMB number, 

and CMS document identifier, to 

Paperwork@cms.hhs.gov. 

3. Call the Reports Clearance Office at 

(410) 786–1326. 

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. 


sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES