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

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

          - [Document Identifier: CMS-R-71 and CMS-855B]

# AGENCY:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Health and Human 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 14, 2025.

# ADDRESSES:

                        Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to                         *www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain*. Find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function.                    

                        To obtain copies of a supporting statement and any related forms for the proposed collection(s) summarized in this notice, please access the CMS PRA website by copying and pasting the following web address into your web browser:                         *https://www.cms.gov/​Regulations-and-Guidance/​Legislation/​PaperworkReductionActof1995/​PRA-Listing*.                    

# 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. 3506(c)(2)(A)) requires federal agencies to publish a 30-day notice in the                     **Federal Register**                     concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension or reinstatement of an existing collection of information, before submitting the collection to OMB for approval. To comply with this requirement, CMS is publishing this notice that summarizes the following proposed collection(s) of information for public comment:                

                    1.                     *Type of Information Collection Request:*                     Extension of a currently approved collection;                     *Title of Information Collection:*                     Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) Assumption of Responsibilities and Supporting Regulations;                     *Use:*                     The Peer Review Improvement Act of 1982 amended Title XI of the Social Security Act to create the Utilization and Quality Control Peer Review Organization (PRO) program which replaces the Professional Standards Review Organization (PSRO) program and streamlines peer review activities. The term PRO has been renamed Quality Improvement Organization (QIO). This information collection describes the review functions to be performed by the QIO. It outlines relationships among QIOs, providers, practitioners, beneficiaries, intermediaries, and carriers.                     *Form Number:*                     CMS-R-71 (OMB control number: 0938-0445);                     *Frequency:*                     Yearly;                     *Affected Public:*                     Business or other for-profit and Not-for-profit institutions;                     *Number of Respondents:*                     6,120;                     *Total Annual Responses:*                     502,246;                     *Total Annual Hours:*                     1,091,597. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Cheryl Lehane at 617-461-4888.)                

                    2.                     *Type of Information Collection Request:*                     Reinstatement with change of a previously approved collection;                     *Title of Information Collection:*                     Medicare Enrollment Application for Clinics/Group Practices and Other Suppliers;                     *Use:*                     Various sections of the Act, the United States Code (U.S.C.), Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Code, and the CFR require providers and suppliers to furnish information concerning the amounts due and the identification of individuals or entities that furnish medical services to beneficiaries before payment can be made. The Form CMS-855B application is submitted when the applicant first requests Medicare enrollment. The application is used by the MACs to collect data to ensure the applicant has the necessary credentials to provide the health care services for which they intend to bill Medicare; this includes data that allows the Medicare contractor to correctly price, process, and pay the applicant's claims. It also gathers information that enables MACs to ensure that the supplier is neither excluded from the Medicare program nor debarred, suspended, or excluded from any other Federal agency or program. The application is also used by                           ( print page 3873)                        enrolled suppliers when they are reporting a change in their ownership, a change in their current Medicare enrollment information, or are revalidating or reactivating their Medicare enrollment.                     *Form Number:*                     CMS-855B (OMB control number: 0938-1377);                     *Frequency:*                     Occasionally;                     *Affected Public:*                     Private Sector; Business or other for-profits, and Not-for Profits;                     *Number of Respondents:*                     132,800;                     *Number of Responses:*                     132,800;                     *Total Annual Hours:*                     155,884. (For questions regarding this collection, contact Frank Whalen at 410-786-1302 or                     *Frank.Whelan@cms.hhs.gov.*)                

William N. Parham, III,

Director, Division of Information Collections and Regulatory Impacts, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs.

[FR Doc. 2025-00696 Filed 1-14-25; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4120-01-P