80 FR 26262 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 88 (May 7, 2015)
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 88 (May 7, 2015)
| Page Range | 26262-26264 | |
| FR Document | 2015-10981 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 88 (Thursday, May 7, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 26262-26264] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-10981] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request AGENCY: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, HHS. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice announces the intention of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to request that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approve the proposed changes to the currently approved information collection project: ``Medical Expenditure Panel Survey--Insurance Component.'' In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521, AHRQ invites the public to comment on this proposed information collection. This proposed information collection was previously published in the Federal Register on February 18th, 2015 and allowed 60 days for public comment. No comments were received. The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comment. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by June 8, 2015. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be submitted to: AHRQ's OMB Desk Officer by fax at (202) 395-6974 (attention: AHRQ's desk officer) or by email at [email protected] (attention: AHRQ's desk officer). Copies of the proposed collection plans, data collection instruments, and specific details on the estimated burden can be obtained from the AHRQ Reports Clearance Officer. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doris Lefkowitz, AHRQ Reports Clearance Officer, (301) 427-1477, or by email at [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Proposed Project Medical Expenditure Panel Survey--Insurance Component Employer-sponsored health insurance is the source of coverage for 78 million current and former workers, plus many of their family members, and is a cornerstone of the U.S. health care system. The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey--Insurance Component (MEPS-IC) measures on an annual basis the extent, cost, and coverage of employer- sponsored health insurance. These statistics are produced at the National, State, and sub-State (metropolitan area) level for private industry. Statistics are also produced for State and local governments. The MEPS-IC was last approved by OMB on November 21, 2013 and will expire on November 30, 2016. The OMB control number for the MEPS-IC is 0935-0110. All of the supporting documents for the current MEPS-IC can be downloaded from OMB's Web site at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/ [[Page 26263]] PRAViewDocument?ref_nbr=201310-0935-001. In order to ensure that the MEPS-IC is able to capture important changes in the employer-sponsored health insurance market due to the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), AHRQ will field a longitudinal survey in 2015 to include a sample of 5,000 small private sector employers that responded to the 2014 MEPS- IC. The OMB clearance that was approved on November 21, 2013 included the 2014 longitudinal survey, a survey of 3,000 respondents to the 2013 MEPS-IC, but did not include the 2015 longitudinal survey. This submission is for the 2015 longitudinal survey only; there are no other changes. This research has the following goals: (1) Provide data for Federal policymakers evaluating the effects of National and State health care reforms. (2) Provide descriptive data on the current employer-sponsored health insurance system and data for modeling the differential impacts of proposed health policy initiatives. (3) Supply critical State and National estimates of health insurance spending for the National Health Accounts and Gross Domestic Product. (4) Support evaluation of the impact on health insurance offered by small employers due to the implementation of Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) exchanges under the ACA, through the addition of a longitudinal component to the sample. The MEPS-IC is conducted pursuant to AHRQ's statutory authority to conduct surveys to collect data on the cost, use and quality of health care, including the types and costs of private insurance. 42 U.S.C. 299b-2(a). Method of Collection To achieve the goals of this project for both private sector and state and local government employers, the following data collections will be implemented: (1) Prescreener Questionnaire--The purpose of the Prescreener Questionnaire, which is collected via telephone, varies depending on the insurance status of the establishment contacted. (Establishment is defined as a single, physical location in the private sector and a governmental unit in state and local governments.) For establishments that do not offer health insurance to their employees, the prescreener is used to collect basic information such as number of employees via a phone call. For establishments that do offer health insurance, the prescreener is used to collect contact names and address information is that are used to mail a written establishment and plan questionnaires. Obtaining this contact information helps ensure that the questionnaires are directed to the person best equipped to complete them. (2) Establishment Questionnaire--The purpose of the mailed Establishment Questionnaire is to obtain general information from employers who provide health insurance to their employees. The Questionnaire collects such information as total active enrollment in health insurance, other employee benefits offered, demographic characteristics of employees, and retiree health insurance. (3) Plan Questionnaire--The purpose of the mailed Plan Questionnaire is to collect plan-specific information on each plan (up to four) offered by establishments that provide health insurance to their employees. This questionnaire asks about total premiums, employer and employee contributions to the premium, and plan enrollment for each type of coverage offered--single, employee-plus-one, and family--within a plan. It also asks for information on deductibles, copays, and other plan characteristics. (4) Longitudinal Sample (LS)--For 2015, an additional sample of small employers (those with 100 or fewer employees) will be included in the collection. The LS will consist of 5,000 small, private-sector employers who responded to the 2014 MEPS-IC regular survey. These employers will be surveyed again in 2015--using the same collection methods as the regular survey--in order to track changes in their health insurance offerings, characteristics, and costs. The primary objective of the MEPS-IC is to collect information on employer-sponsored health insurance. Such information is needed in order to provide the tools for Federal, State, and academic researchers to evaluate current and proposed health policies and to support the production of important statistical measures for other Federal agencies. Estimated Annual Respondent Burden Exhibit 1 shows the estimated annualized burden hours for the respondent's time to provide the requested data for the 2015 longitudinal survey. The Prescreener questionnaire will be completed by 4,300 respondents and takes about 5\1/2\ minutes to complete. The Establishment questionnaire will be completed by 2,054 respondents and takes about 23 minutes to complete. The Plan questionnaire will be completed by 2,054 respondents and will require an average of 1.4 responses per respondent. Each Plan questionnaire takes about 11 minutes to complete. The total burden hours are estimated to be 1,686 hours. Exhibit 2 shows the estimated annualized cost burden associated with the respondents' time to participate in this data collection. The annualized cost burden is estimated to be $52,709. Exhibit 1--Estimated Burden Hours for the 2015 Longitudinal Survey ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Form name Number of responses per Hours per Total burden respondents respondent response hours ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prescreener Questionnaire...................... 4,326 1 0.09 389 Establishment Questionnaire.................... 2,078 1 0.38* 790 Plan Questionnaire............................. 2,078 1.4 0.18 524 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Total...................................... 8,482 na na 1,703 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * The burden estimate printed on the establishment questionnaire is 45 minutes which includes the burden estimate for completing the establishment questionnaire, an average of 1.4 plan questionnaires, plus the prescreener. The establishment and plan questionnaires are sent to the respondent as a package and are completed by the respondent at the same time. [[Page 26264]] Exhibit 2--Estimated Cost Burden for the 2015 Longitudinal Survey ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Total burden Average hourly Total cost Form name respondents hours wage rate* burden ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prescreener Questionnaire..................... 4,326 389 $30.95 $12,040 Establishment Questionnaire................... 2,078 790 30.95 24,451 Plan Questionnaire............................ 2,078 524 30.95 16,218 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Total..................................... 8,482 1,703 na $52,709 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Based upon the mean hourly wage for Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists occupation code 13- 1141, at http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes131141.htm (U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.) Request for Comments In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, comments on AHRQ's information collection are requested with regard to any of the following: (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of AHRQ health care research and information dissemination functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of AHRQ's estimate of burden (including hours and costs) of the proposed collection(s) of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and included in the Agency's subsequent request for OMB approval of the proposed information collection. All comments will become a matter of public record. Dated: April 27, 2015. Sharon B. Arnold, Deputy Director, AHRQ. [FR Doc. 2015-10981 Filed 5-6-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4160-90-P
![26262 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 88 / Thursday, May 7, 2015 / Notices
Director of the Agency for Healthcare and AHRQ’s Director on the direction of ACTION: Notice.
Research and Quality (AHRQ) on and programs undertaken by AHRQ.
matters related to activities of the Seven individuals will be selected by SUMMARY: This notice announces the
Agency to produce evidence to make the Secretary to serve on the Council intention of the Agency for Healthcare
health care safer, higher quality, more beginning with the meeting in the Research and Quality (AHRQ) to request
accessible, equitable, and affordable, spring of 2016. Members generally serve that the Office of Management and
and to work within the U.S. Department 3-year terms. Appointments are Budget (OMB) approve the proposed
of Health and Human Services and with staggered to permit an orderly rotation changes to the currently approved
other partners to make sure that the of membership. information collection project: ‘‘Medical
evidence is understood and used. Interested persons may nominate one Expenditure Panel Survey—Insurance
Seven current members’ terms will or more qualified persons for Component.’’ In accordance with the
expire in November 2015. To fill these membership on the Council. Self- Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C.
positions, we are seeking individuals nominations are accepted. Nominations 3501–3521, AHRQ invites the public to
who are distinguished in: (1) The shall include: (1) A copy of the comment on this proposed information
conduct of research, demonstration nominee’s resume or curriculum vitae; collection.
projects, and evaluations with respect to and (2) a statement that the nominee is This proposed information collection
health care; (2) the fields of health care willing to serve as a member of the was previously published in the Federal
quality research or health care Council. Selected candidates will be Register on February 18th, 2015 and
improvement; (3) the practice of asked to provide detailed information allowed 60 days for public comment. No
medicine; (4) other health professions; concerning their financial interests, comments were received. The purpose
(5) representing the private health care consultant positions and research grants of this notice is to allow an additional
sector (including health plans, and contracts, to permit evaluation of 30 days for public comment.
providers, and purchasers) or possible sources of conflict of interest. DATES: Comments on this notice must be
administrators of health care delivery Please note that once a candidate is received by June 8, 2015.
systems; (6) the fields of health care nominated, AHRQ may consider that ADDRESSES: Written comments should
economics, information systems, law, nomination for future positions on the be submitted to: AHRQ’s OMB Desk
ethics, business, or public policy; and, Council. Federally registered lobbyists Officer by fax at (202) 395–6974
(7) representing the interests of patients are not permitted to serve on this (attention: AHRQ’s desk officer) or by
and consumers of health care. 42 U.S.C. advisory board pursuant to the email at
299c(c)(2). Individuals are particularly Presidential Memorandum entitled OIRA_submission@omb.eop.gov
sought with experience and success in ‘‘Lobbyists on Agency Boards and (attention: AHRQ’s desk officer).
activities specified in the summary Commissions’’ dated June 10, 2010, and Copies of the proposed collection
above. the Office of Management and Budget’s plans, data collection instruments, and
‘‘Final Guidance on Appointment of specific details on the estimated burden
DATES: Nominations should be received Lobbyists to Federal Boards and can be obtained from the AHRQ Reports
on or before 60 days after date of Commissions,’’ 76 FR 61756 (October 5, Clearance Officer.
publication. 2011). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
ADDRESSES: Nominations should be sent The Department seeks a broad Doris Lefkowitz, AHRQ Reports
to Ms. Karen Brooks, AHRQ, 540 geographic representation. In addition, Clearance Officer, (301) 427–1477, or by
Gaither Road, Room 3006, Rockville, AHRQ conducts and supports research email at doris.lefkowitz@AHRQ.hhs.gov.
Maryland 20850. Nominations may also concerning priority populations, which SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
be emailed to Karen.Brooks@ include: low-income groups; minority
ahrq.hhs.gov. groups; women; children; the elderly; Proposed Project
and individuals with special health care Medical Expenditure Panel Survey—
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
needs, including individuals with Insurance Component
Jaime Zimmerman, AHRQ, at (301) 427–
disabilities and individuals who need
1456. Employer-sponsored health insurance
chronic care or end-of-life health care.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 42 U.S.C. See 42 U.S.C. 299(c). Nominations of is the source of coverage for 78 million
299c provides that the Secretary shall persons with expertise in health care for current and former workers, plus many
appoint to the National Advisory these priority populations are of their family members, and is a
Council for Healthcare Research and encouraged. cornerstone of the U.S. health care
Quality twenty one appropriately system. The Medical Expenditure Panel
qualified individuals. At least seventeen Sharon B. Arnold, Survey—Insurance Component (MEPS–
members shall be representatives of the Deputy Director. IC) measures on an annual basis the
public and at least one member shall be [FR Doc. 2015–10983 Filed 5–6–15; 8:45 am] extent, cost, and coverage of employer-
a specialist in the rural aspects of one BILLING CODE 4160–90–P sponsored health insurance. These
or more of the professions or fields statistics are produced at the National,
listed in the above summary. In State, and sub-State (metropolitan area)
addition, the Secretary designates, as ex DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND level for private industry. Statistics are
officio members, representatives from HUMAN SERVICES also produced for State and local
other Federal agencies, principally governments. The MEPS–IC was last
Agency for Healthcare Research and
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
agencies that conduct or support health approved by OMB on November 21,
care research, as well as Federal officials Quality 2013 and will expire on November 30,
the Secretary may consider appropriate. 2016. The OMB control number for the
Agency Information Collection
42 U.S.C. 299c(c)(3). The Council meets MEPS–IC is 0935–0110. All of the
Activities: Proposed Collection;
in the Washington, DC, metropolitan supporting documents for the current
Comment Request
area, generally in Rockville, Maryland, MEPS–IC can be downloaded from
approximately three times a year to AGENCY:Agency for Healthcare Research OMB’s Web site at http://
provide broad guidance to the Secretary and Quality, HHS. www.reginfo.gov/public/do/
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![26264 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 88 / Thursday, May 7, 2015 / Notices
EXHIBIT 2—ESTIMATED COST BURDEN FOR THE 2015 LONGITUDINAL SURVEY
Number of Total Average hourly Total cost
Form name respondents burden hours wage rate* burden
Prescreener Questionnaire .......................................................................... 4,326 389 $30.95 $12,040
Establishment Questionnaire ....................................................................... 2,078 790 30.95 24,451
Plan Questionnaire ...................................................................................... 2,078 524 30.95 16,218
Total ...................................................................................................... 8,482 1,703 na $52,709
* Based upon the mean hourly wage for Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists occupation code 13–1141, at http://www.bls.gov/
oes/current/oes131141.htm (U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.)
Request for Comments SUMMARY: This notice announces a ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be
In accordance with the Paperwork public meeting to receive comments and held in the main auditorium of the
Reduction Act, comments on AHRQ’s recommendations (including Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
information collection are requested accompanying data on which Services (CMS), Central Building, 7500
with regard to any of the following: (a) recommendations are based) from the Security Boulevard, Baltimore,
whether the proposed collection of public on the appropriate basis for Maryland 21244–1850.
information is necessary for the proper establishing payment amounts for new FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
performance of AHRQ health care or substantially revised Healthcare Glenn McGuirk, (410) 786–5723.
research and information dissemination Common Procedure Coding System SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
functions, including whether the (HCPCS) codes being considered for
Medicare payment under the clinical I. Background
information will have practical utility;
(b) the accuracy of AHRQ’s estimate of laboratory fee schedule (CLFS) for Section 531(b) of the Medicare,
burden (including hours and costs) of calendar year (CY) 2016. This meeting Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits
the proposed collection(s) of also provides a forum for those who Improvement and Protection Act of
information; (c) ways to enhance the submitted certain reconsideration 2000 (BIPA) (Pub. L. 106–554) requires
quality, utility, and clarity of the requests regarding final determinations the Secretary of the Department of
information to be collected; and (d) made last year on new test codes and for Health and Human Services (the
ways to minimize the burden of the the public to provide comment on the Secretary) to establish procedures for
collection of information on requests. coding and payment determinations for
respondents, including the use of DATES: Meeting Date: The public new clinical diagnostic laboratory tests
automated collection techniques or meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July under Part B of title XVIII of the Social
other forms of information technology. 16, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Security Act (the Act) that permit public
Comments submitted in response to Eastern Daylight Savings Time. consultation in a manner consistent
this notice will be summarized and with the procedures established for
Deadline for Registration of Presenters
included in the Agency’s subsequent implementing coding modifications for
and Submission of Presentations: All
request for OMB approval of the International Classification of Diseases
presenters for the public meeting must
proposed information collection. All (ICD–9–CM). The procedures and public
register and submit their presentations
comments will become a matter of meeting announced in this notice for
electronically to Glenn McGuirk at
public record. new tests are in accordance with the
Glenn.McGuirk@cms.hhs.gov by July 2,
procedures published on November 23,
Dated: April 27, 2015. 2015.
2001 in the Federal Register (66 FR
Sharon B. Arnold, Deadline for Submitting Requests for 58743) to implement section 531(b) of
Deputy Director, AHRQ. Special Accommodations: Requests for BIPA.
[FR Doc. 2015–10981 Filed 5–6–15; 8:45 am] special accommodations must be Section 942(b) of the Medicare
BILLING CODE 4160–90–P received no later than 5:00 p.m. on July Prescription Drug, Improvement, and
2, 2015. Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) (Pub.
Deadline for Submission of Written L. 108–173) added section 1833(h)(8) of
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND Comments: We intend to publish our the Act. Section 1833(h)(8)(A) of the Act
HUMAN SERVICES proposed determinations for new test requires the Secretary to establish by
codes and our preliminary regulation procedures for determining
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid determinations for reconsidered codes the basis for, and amount of, payment
Services (as described below) for CY 2016 by for any clinical diagnostic laboratory
early September 2015. Interested parties test with respect to which a new or
[CMS–1623–N] may submit written comments on these substantially revised Healthcare
determinations by early October, 2015 Common Procedure Coding System
Medicare Program; Public Meeting on to the address specified in the (HCPCS) code is assigned on or after
July 16, 2015 Regarding New and ADDRESSES section of this notice or January 1, 2005 (hereinafter referred to
Reconsidered Clinical Diagnostic
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
electronically to Glenn McGuirk at as ‘‘new tests’’). A code is considered to
Laboratory Test Codes for the Clinical Glenn.McGuirk@cms.hhs.gov (the be substantially revised if there is a
Laboratory Fee Schedule for Calendar specific date for the publication of these substantive change to the definition of
Year 2016 determinations on the CMS Web site, as the test or procedure to which the code
AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & well as the deadline for submitting applies (such as, a new analyte or a new
Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS. comments regarding these methodology for measuring an existing
determinations will be published on the analyte-specific test). (See section
ACTION: Notice.
CMS Web site). 1833(h)(8)(E)(ii) of the Act).
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Document Created: 2015-12-16 07:50:32
Document Modified: 2015-12-16 07:50:32
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice. | |
| Dates | Comments on this notice must be received by June 8, 2015. | |
| Contact | Doris Lefkowitz, AHRQ Reports Clearance Officer, (301) 427-1477, or by email at [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 26262 |
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