SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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 functions; (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.

Title of the Collection: Generic Clearance for the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA) Monitoring Activities.

Type of Collection: New Generic Collection.

Abstract: The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) is seeking a three-year generic approval to collect routine customer feedback on agency service delivery related to TEFCA. ONC oversees a TEFCA Recognized Coordinating Entity® (RCE®) to administer aspects of TEFCA. The RCE is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining the Common Agreement that establishes the baseline technical and legal requirements for health information networks to share electronic health information. The data collections under this clearance will be designed to standardize monitoring and performance reports for TEFCA participants. With the number of TEFCA participants on the rise, ONC is seeking approval to collect this information from TEFCA users to enhance the efficiency of program management. In the Federal Register of May 11, 2026 (0990-New-60D), we published a 60-day notice requesting public comment on the proposed collection of information. We did not receive any comments in response to this notice. Thus, there were no modifications made to the content or burden hours estimated for this information collection.

Need and Proposed Use of the Information: The proposed information collection activity provides a means to garner qualitative customer and stakeholder feedback in an efficient, timely manner, in accordance with the Administration's commitment to improving service delivery. Qualitative feedback means information that provides useful insights on perceptions and opinions and is not statistical surveys that yield quantitative results that can be generalized to the population of study. This feedback will provide insights into TEFCA users and stakeholder perceptions, experiences, and expectations; provide an early warning of issues with the service; or focus attention on areas where communication, training, or changes in operations might improve delivery of products or services. These collections will allow for ongoing, collaborative, and actionable communication between ONC and its customers and stakeholders. It will also allow feedback to contribute directly to the improvement of program management.

The solicitation of feedback will target areas such as timeliness, appropriateness, accuracy of information, courtesy, efficiency of service delivery, and resolution of issues with service delivery. If this information is not collected, vital feedback from TEFCA users and stakeholders on the ONC services will be unavailable.

Likely respondents to the data collections under this generic clearance will be the Qualified Health Information Networks® (QHINs^TM), which are health information networks approved to access and exchange data through TEFCA. Over each of the next three years, an estimated 15 respondents are expected to participate, with approximately 7 qualitative feedback activities occurring annually and an average of 71 responses per respondent. The frequency of response will vary by activity, with each response taking an average of 80 minutes. This results in a total estimated burden of 1,420 hours annually, or 4,260 hours over a three-year period.

Authority:44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.

91 FR 53272