Document Headings

                    Document headings vary by document type but may contain                    the following:                  
                -                       the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document                    
                -                       the number of the CFR title and the number of each part                      the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly                      related to                    
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###### Department of Health and Human Services

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

          - [Document Identifier: CMS-10102]

# 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;                           ( print page 67477)                        (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.                

*Type of Information Collection Request*: New Collection;                     *Title of Information Collection*: National Implementation of the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Health Providers and Systems Survey (HCAHPS);                     *Form No.*: CMS-10102 (OMB# 0938-NEW);                     *Use*: The intent of the HCAHPS initiative is to provide a standardized survey instrument and data collection methodology for measuring patients' perspectives on hospital care. While many hospitals collect information on patient satisfaction, there is no national standard for collecting or publicly reporting this information that would enable valid comparisons to be made across all hospitals. In order to make “apples to apples” comparisons to support consumer choice, it is necessary to introduce a standard measurement approach. HCAHPS can be viewed as a core set of questions that hospitals can combine with their customized items. Participation in HCAHPS is voluntary. Hospitals will begin using HCAHPS, also known as Hospital CAHPS or the CAHPS Hospital Survey, under the auspices of the Hospital Quality Alliance, a private/public partnership that includes hospital associations, consumer groups, payors and government agencies that share a common interest in reporting on hospital quality;                     *Frequency*: Monthly;                     *Affected Public*: Individuals or households;                     *Number of Respondents*: 2,852,000;                     *Total Annual Responses*: 2,852,000;                     *Total Annual Hours*: 285,200.                

                    To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms for these 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. (Note: This package has been modified since the November 19, 2004 publication.)                

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 December 7, 2005.

*OMB Human Resources and Housing Branch, Attention:*                     CMS Desk Officer, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235,Washington, DC 20503.                

Dated: October 28, 2005.

Michelle Shortt,

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

[FR Doc. 05-22131 Filed 11-4-05; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4120-01-P