Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The government wants to hear what people think about forms they need to fill out for things like visiting the doctor or hospital. They want to make these forms easier to understand and quicker to complete, and people can share their thoughts on how to do this until April 6, 2021.
Summary AI
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is inviting public comments on its plan to collect information from the public under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This notice is published as part of a required procedure before seeking approval from the Office of Management and Budget for each information collection. Among the items addressed are Medicare Health Outcomes Survey, Community Mental Health Center Cost Report, the Request For Termination of Premium-Hospital and/or Supplementary Medical Insurance, and the Appointment of Representative form. CMS seeks feedback on the necessity and utility of these information collections, as well as suggestions for improving their quality and minimizing the burden they impose. Public comments are due by April 6, 2021, and can be submitted electronically or via regular mail.
Abstract
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 (the 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 60 days for public comment on the proposed action. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding our burden estimates 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.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) primarily serves as a public notice regarding its intent to gather information, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This procedure involves seeking approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for any proposed information collection, extensions, or reinstatements. The document notes important information about several surveys and forms related to Medicare services, including deadlines for public comment submissions and methods for doing so.
Summary of the Document
The notice invites public comments on documents and processes related to Medicare services. Specifically, it mentions the Medicare Health Outcomes Survey, the Community Mental Health Center Cost Report, the Request For Termination of Premium-Hospital and/or Supplementary Medical Insurance, and the Appointment of Representative form. Public comments help CMS evaluate the necessity and utility of collecting this information and aim to improve the processes by ensuring they are not burdensome to the public.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Several concerns arise from the way the document is written:
Technical Language: The document uses specialized terminology that may not be easily understood by the general public. Terms and processes related to federal regulations and paperwork can be complex, leading to potential confusion.
Unexplained Acronyms and References: It assumes familiarity with various acronyms (such as CMS, OMB, PRA) and legal references (e.g., Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA) without offering explanations, which can be a barrier for those not versed in bureaucratic language.
Complex Procedural Details: While the document lays out the procedures for commenting, the steps might appear overwhelming to a layperson. Simplifying these could enhance public engagement.
Impact on the Public
Broadly, this document impacts the public by opening up an opportunity for individuals to offer input on how information is collected and used by CMS. This can potentially lead to improvements in how Medicare functions and how efficiently it gathers necessary data.
Positive Impact: For individuals dependent on Medicare, this process ensures that their needs and situations are considered in policy making, potentially leading to improvements in service delivery.
Negative Impact: Conversely, the complexity and jargon-heavy nature of the document might discourage ordinary citizens from participating in the comment process, limiting input largely to stakeholders who already have an extensive understanding of the system.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
The document positively impacts stakeholders directly involved with, or who have a vested interest in, the Medicare system, such as healthcare providers and advocacy groups:
Healthcare Providers: As direct providers of healthcare services, they can offer insights into how CMS's data collection processes impact their ability to effectively administer care.
Advocacy Groups: Organizations advocating for senior citizens or those with disabilities might leverage this opportunity to ensure that CMS policies align with the populations they represent, potentially influencing the nature and delivery of Medicare services.
In summary, while the opportunity for public engagement provided by the CMS notice is valuable, its effectiveness is contingent upon how comprehensible it is to a lay audience. Streamlining the language and reducing the complexity of its instructions could help achieve broader and more meaningful participation.
Issues
• The document uses complex and technical language, which might be difficult for the general public to understand without specialized knowledge.
• There are multiple form numbers and OMB control numbers without context or explanation, which may be confusing for readers unfamiliar with these identifiers.
• The document assumes familiarity with specific legislation and regulations (e.g., Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3502(3), 5 CFR 1320.3(c)), which might not be accessible to all readers.
• The use of acronyms without prior explanation (such as CMS, OMB, PRA) may be confusing to those not well-versed in federal agency terminology.
• The document outlines detailed procedural steps for submission and requests, which could be simplified for easier comprehension by the public.