80 FR 33267 - 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 112 (June 11, 2015)
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 112 (June 11, 2015)
| Page Range | 33267-33269 | |
| FR Document | 2015-14197 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 112 (Thursday, June 11, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 33267-33269] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-14197] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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) reapprove the proposed 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. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by August 10, 2015. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be submitted to: Doris Lefkowitz, Reports Clearance Officer, AHRQ, by email at [email protected]. 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 79.3 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. 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 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on health insurance offered by all employers, and especially 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 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 that is 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. This information includes total active enrollment in health insurance, other employee benefits, 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) 2016--2017 Longitudinal Sample--For 2016 and 2017, an additional sample of 7,000 employers will be included in the collection. This sample, called the Longitudinal Sample (LS), is designed to measure the impact of the ACA on employer sponsored health insurance and especially the impact of the SHOP exchanges on small employers. The 2016 LS will consist of 7,000 private-sector employers who responded to the 2015 MEPS-IC, and the 2017 LS will consist of 7,000 private-sector employers who responded to the 2016 MEPS-IC. These employers will be surveyed again in 2016 and 2017--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 The estimated annualized respondent burden hours and costs for the regular MEPS-IC and the Longitudinal Sample are presented separately below. 2016-2017 RegularMEPS-IC Exhibit 1a shows the estimated annualized burden hours for the respondent's time to participate in the MEPS-IC. The Prescreener questionnaire will be completed by 27,606 respondents and takes about 5\1/2\ minutes to complete. The Establishment questionnaire will be completed by 23,814 respondents and takes about 23 minutes to complete. The Plan questionnaire will be completed by 21,084 respondents and will require an [[Page 33268]] average of 2.2 responses per respondent. Each Plan questionnaire takes about 11 minutes to complete. The total annualized burden hours are estimated to be 19,883 hours. Exhibit 2a 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 $615,380. Exhibit 1a--Estimated Annualized Burden Hours for the 2016-2017 MEPS-IC ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Form name Number of responses per Hours per Total burden respondents respondent response hours ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prescreener Questionnaire...................... 27,606 1 0.09 2,485 Establishment Questionnaire.................... 23,814 1 * 0.38 9,049 Plan Questionnaire............................. 21,084 2.2 0.18 8,349 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Total...................................... 72,504 na na 19,883 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * The burden estimate printed on the establishment questionnaire is 45 minutes which includes the burden estimate for completing the establishment questionnaire, an average of 2.2 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. Exhibit 2a--Estimated Annualized Cost Burden for the 2016-2017 MEPS-IC ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Total burden Average hourly Total cost Form name respondents hours wage rate * burden ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prescreener Questionnaire....................... 27,606 2,485 30.95 $76,911 Establishment Questionnaire..................... 23,814 9,049 30.95 280,067 Plan Questionnaire.............................. 21,084 8,349 30.95 258,402 --------------------------------------------------------------- Total....................................... 72,504 19,883 na 615,380 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Based upon the mean hourly wage for Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists occupation code 13- 1141, at http://bls.gov/oes/current/oes131141.htm (U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.) 2016-2017 Longitudinal Sample Exhibit 1b shows the estimated annualized burden hours for the respondent's time to participate in the Longitudinal Sample. The Prescreener questionnaire will be completed by 4,517 respondents and takes about 5 \1/2\ minutes to complete. The Establishment questionnaire will be completed by 4,023 respondents and takes about 23 minutes to complete. The Plan questionnaire will be completed by 3,487 respondents and will require an average of 2.2 responses per respondent. Each Plan questionnaire takes about 11 minutes to complete. The total annualized burden hours are estimated to be 3,317 hours. Exhibit 2b 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 $102,662. Exhibit 1b--Estimated Annualized Burden Hours for the 2016-2017 Longitudinal Sample (LS) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Form name Number of responses per Hours per Total burden respondents respondent response hours ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prescreener Questionnaire (LS)................. 4,517 1 0.09 407 Establishment Questionnaire (LS)............... 4,023 1 * 0.38 1,529 Plan Questionnaire (LS)........................ 3,487 2.2 0.18 1,381 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Total...................................... 12,027 na na 3,317 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * The burden estimate printed on the establishment questionnaire is 45 minutes which includes the burden estimate for completing the establishment questionnaire, an average of 2.2 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. Exhibit 2b--Estimated Annualized Cost Burden for the 2016-2017 Longitudinal Sample (LS) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Total burden Average hourly Total cost Form name respondents hours wage rate * burden ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prescreener Questionnaire (LS).................. 4,517 407 $30.95 $12,597 Establishment Questionnaire (LS)................ 4,023 1,529 30.95 47,323 Plan Questionnaire (LS)......................... 3,487 1,381 30.95 42,742 --------------------------------------------------------------- Total....................................... 12,027 3,317 na 102,662 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Based upon the mean hourly wage for Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists occupation code 13- 1141, at http://bls.gov/oes/current/oes131141.htm (U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.) [[Page 33269]] 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: June 3, 2015. Sharon B. Arnold, Deputy Director. [FR Doc. 2015-14197 Filed 6-10-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4160-90-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 112 / Thursday, June 11, 2015 / Notices 33267
• World War 1 Washington Memorial sponsored health insurance. These total active enrollment in health
Report. statistics are produced at the National, insurance, other employee benefits,
• Fund Raising Report. State, and sub-State (metropolitan area) demographic characteristics of
• Education Report. level for private industry. Statistics are employees, and retiree health insurance.
• Set next meeting. also produced for State and Local (3) Plan Questionnaire—The purpose
Dated: June 2, 2015. governments. of the mailed Plan Questionnaire is to
Daniel S. Dayton, This research has the following goals: collect plan-specific information on
(1) Provide data for Federal each plan (up to four) offered by
Designated Federal Official, World War I
Centennial Commission. policymakers evaluating the effects of establishments that provide health
National and State health care reforms. insurance to their employees. This
[FR Doc. 2015–14233 Filed 6–10–15; 8:45 am]
(2) Provide descriptive data on the questionnaire asks about total
BILLING CODE 6820–95–P
current employer-sponsored health premiums, employer and employee
insurance system and data for modeling contributions to the premium, and plan
the differential impacts of proposed enrollment for each type of coverage
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND health policy initiatives. offered—single, employee-plus-one, and
HUMAN SERVICES (3) Supply critical State and National family—within a plan. It also asks for
estimates of health insurance spending information on deductibles, copays, and
Agency for Healthcare Research and for the National Health Accounts and other plan characteristics.
Quality Gross Domestic Product. (4) 2016—2017 Longitudinal
(4) Support evaluation of the impact Sample—For 2016 and 2017, an
Agency Information Collection
of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on additional sample of 7,000 employers
Activities: Proposed Collection;
health insurance offered by all will be included in the collection. This
Comment Request
employers, and especially by small sample, called the Longitudinal Sample
AGENCY: Agency for Healthcare Research employers (due to the implementation (LS), is designed to measure the impact
and Quality, HHS. of Small Business Health Options of the ACA on employer sponsored
ACTION: Notice. Program (SHOP) exchanges under the health insurance and especially the
ACA), through the addition of a impact of the SHOP exchanges on small
SUMMARY: This notice announces the longitudinal component to the sample. employers. The 2016 LS will consist of
intention of the Agency for Healthcare The MEPS–IC is conducted pursuant 7,000 private-sector employers who
Research and Quality (AHRQ) to request to AHRQ’s statutory authority to responded to the 2015 MEPS–IC, and
that the Office of Management and conduct surveys to collect data on the the 2017 LS will consist of 7,000
Budget (OMB) reapprove the proposed cost, use and quality of health care, private-sector employers who
information collection project: ‘‘Medical including types and costs of private responded to the 2016 MEPS–IC. These
Expenditure Panel Survey—Insurance insurance. 42 U.S.C. 299b–2(a). employers will be surveyed again in
Component.’’ In accordance with the 2016 and 2017—using the same
Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. Method of Collection
collection methods as the regular
3501–3521, AHRQ invites the public to To achieve the goals of this project for survey—in order to track changes in
comment on this proposed information both private sector and state and local their health insurance offerings,
collection. government employers, the following characteristics, and costs.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be data collections will be implemented: The primary objective of the MEPS–
received by August 10, 2015. (1) Prescreener Questionnaire—The IC is to collect information on employer-
ADDRESSES: Written comments should
purpose of the Prescreener sponsored health insurance. Such
be submitted to: Doris Lefkowitz, Questionnaire, which is collected via information is needed in order to
Reports Clearance Officer, AHRQ, by telephone, varies depending on the provide the tools for Federal, State, and
email at doris.lefkowitz@AHRQ.hhs.gov. insurance status of the establishment academic researchers to evaluate current
Copies of the proposed collection contacted (establishment is defined as a and proposed health policies and to
plans, data collection instruments, and single, physical location in the private support the production of important
specific details on the estimated burden sector and a governmental unit in state statistical measures for other Federal
can be obtained from the AHRQ Reports and local governments.) For agencies.
Clearance Officer. establishments that do not offer health
insurance to their employees, the Estimated Annual Respondent Burden
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
prescreener is used to collect basic The estimated annualized respondent
Doris Lefkowitz, AHRQ Reports
information such as number of burden hours and costs for the regular
Clearance Officer, (301) 427–1477, or by
employees via a phone call. For MEPS–IC and the Longitudinal Sample
email at doris.lefkowitz@AHRQ.hhs.gov.
establishments that do offer health are presented separately below.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
insurance, the prescreener is used to
collect contact names and address 2016–2017 RegularMEPS–IC
Proposed Project
information that is used to mail a Exhibit 1a shows the estimated
Medical Expenditure Panel Survey— written establishment and plan annualized burden hours for the
Insurance Component questionnaires. Obtaining this contact respondent’s time to participate in the
Employer-sponsored health insurance information helps ensure that the MEPS–IC. The Prescreener
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is the source of coverage for 79.3 million questionnaires are directed to the questionnaire will be completed by
current and former workers, plus many person best equipped to complete them. 27,606 respondents and takes about 51⁄2
of their family members, and is a (2) Establishment Questionnaire—The minutes to complete. The Establishment
cornerstone of the U.S. health care purpose of the mailed Establishment questionnaire will be completed by
system. The Medical Expenditure Panel Questionnaire is to obtain general 23,814 respondents and takes about 23
Survey—Insurance Component (MEPS– information from employers who minutes to complete. The Plan
IC) measures on an annual basis the provide health insurance to their questionnaire will be completed by
extent, cost, and coverage of employer- employees. This information includes 21,084 respondents and will require an
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 112 / Thursday, June 11, 2015 / Notices 33269
Request for Comments I. Under Chapter KA, Office of the on human trafficking. The Office
Assistant Secretary for Children and identifies research priorities for ACF’s
In accordance with the Paperwork Families, Make the Following Changes anti-trafficking work, and leads the
Reduction Act, comments on AHRQ’s preparation and presentation of related
information collection are requested A. Delete KA.00 Mission in its
entirety and replace with the following: memorandums, reports, briefings,
with regard to any of the following: (a) trainings, technical assistance, and
Whether the proposed collection of KA.00 Mission. The Office of the
Assistant Secretary for Children and analyses.
information is necessary for the proper
performance of AHRQ health care Families (OAS) provides executive II. Under Chapter KR, Office of Office
research and information dissemination direction, leadership, and guidance for of Refugee Resettlement, Make the
functions, including whether the all ACF programs. OAS provides Following Changes
information will have practical utility; national leadership to develop and
coordinate public and private initiatives A. Under Chapter KR, Office of
(b) the accuracy of AHRQ’s estimate of Refugee Resettlement, delete KR.00
burden (including hours and costs) of for carrying out programs that promote
permanency placement planning, family Mission in its entirety and replace with
the proposed collection(s) of the following:
information; (c) ways to enhance the stability, and self-sufficiency. OAS
advises the Secretary on issues affecting KR.00 Mission. The Office of
quality, utility, and clarity of the Refugee Resettlement (ORR) advises the
information to be collected; and (d) America’s children and families,
including Native Americans, refugees, Secretary, through the Assistant
ways to minimize the burden of the Secretary for Children and Families, on
collection of information on legalized aliens, and victims of human
trafficking. OAS provides leadership on matters relating to refugee resettlement,
respondents, including the use of immigration, victims of torture,
automated collection techniques or human service issues and conducts
emergency preparedness and response unaccompanied alien children, and the
other forms of information technology. repatriation of U.S. citizens. The Office
operations during a nationally declared
Comments submitted in response to emergency. plans, develops, and directs
this notice will be summarized and B. Delete KA.10 Organization in its implementation of a comprehensive
included in the Agency’s subsequent entirety and replace with the following: program for domestic refugee and
request for OMB approval of the KA.10 Organization. The Office of entrant resettlement assistance to
proposed information collection. All the Assistant Secretary for Children and include cash assistance, medical
comments will become a matter of Families is headed by the Assistant assistance, and associated social
public record. Secretary for Children and Families who services in support of early self-
Dated: June 3, 2015. reports directly to the Secretary and sufficiency. It develops, recommends,
Sharon B. Arnold, consists of: and issues program policies,
Office of the Assistant Secretary for procedures, and interpretations to
Deputy Director.
Children and Families (KA) provide program direction. The Office
[FR Doc. 2015–14197 Filed 6–10–15; 8:45 am]
Executive Secretariat Office (KAF) monitors and evaluates the
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Office of Human Services Emergency performances of States and other public
Preparedness and Response (KAG) and private agencies in administering
Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary these programs and supports actions to
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
and Inter-Departmental Liaison for improve them. It provides leadership
HUMAN SERVICES
Early Childhood Development (KAH) and direction in the development and
Administration for Children and Office on Trafficking in Persons (KAI) coordination of national public and
Families C. Establish KA.20 Functions, private programs that provide assistance
Paragraph E, The Office on Trafficking to refugees, asylees, Cuban and Haitian
Statement of Organization, Functions, in Persons: entrants, and certain Amerasians and
and Delegations of Authority E. The Office on Trafficking in victims of severe forms of trafficking in
Persons (KAI): The Office on Trafficking persons. The Office is also responsible
AGENCY:Administration for Children in Persons (OTIP) is responsible for the for the care and custody of
and Families, HHS. overall leadership of anti-trafficking unaccompanied alien children, the
ACTION: Notice. programs and services under the provision of specific consent in Special
purview of ACF, including, but not Immigrant Juvenile status cases, and the
SUMMARY: This notice amends Part K of limited to, implementing provisions of policies, procedures, and interpretations
the Statement of Organization, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act needed in these program areas.
Functions, and Delegations of Authority (TVPA). OTIP is led by a Director, with B. Under Chapter KR, ORR, delete
of the Department of Health and Human the required knowledge and expertise in KR.10 Organization, in its entirety and
Services (DHHS), Administration for advising the Assistant Secretary, ACF, replace with the following:
Children and Families (ACF), as in the development of anti-trafficking KR.10 Organization. ORR is headed
follows: Office of the Assistant Secretary strategies, policies, and programs to by a Director, who reports to the
for Children and Families, as last prevent human trafficking, build health Assistant Secretary for Children and
amended by77 FR 61002, September 21, and human service capacity to respond Families. The Office is organized as
2012, and Office of Refugee to human trafficking, increase victim follows:
Office of the Director (KRA)
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Resettlement, as last amended by 80 FR identification and access to services,
3614, January 23, 2015. This notice adds and strengthen the long-term health and Division of Policy (KRA1)
a new office, the Office on Trafficking well-being outcomes of survivors of Division of Refugee Assistance (KRE)
in Persons to the Office of the Assistant human trafficking. The Office certifies Division of Refugee Services (KRF)
Secretary for Children and Families and or provides letters of eligibility, as Division of Children’s Services (KRH)
transfers the functions of the Division of appropriate, to victims of severe forms Division of Refugee Health (KRJ)
Anti-Trafficking in Persons to this of trafficking, in accordance with the C. Under Chapter KR, ORR, delete
office. The changes are as follows: TVPA and promotes public awareness KR.20 Functions, Paragraph E in its
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Document Created: 2015-12-15 15:07:14
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 15:07:14
| 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 August 10, 2015. | |
| Contact | Doris Lefkowitz, AHRQ Reports Clearance Officer, (301) 427-1477, or by email at [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 33267 |
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