Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services wants to hear what people think about their plans to gather information, like how they collect health data, to make sure they’re doing their jobs right. People can share their thoughts until March 15, 2021, to help improve the process.
Summary AI
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced a chance for the public to comment on its plan to collect information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This involves revising and extending various information collection activities, like Medicare Part A enrollment applications and disclosures under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. The information gathered helps ensure proper agency functions and improve automated data collection. Public comments are invited by March 15, 2021, to address the necessity and impact of these collections.
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 (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 a second opportunity for public comment on the notice. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the burden estimate 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) provides notice of an opportunity for the public to comment on proposed information collection activities. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act, federal agencies need to inform the public about their intentions to collect data, outlining both the necessity of the data and the burden on respondents. The CMS is looking to revise and extend its collection activities related to several key areas, including Medicare enrollment procedures and compliance with the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA).
Summary of the Document
The notice outlines CMS's intention to gather data to support its administrative functions, ensure accurate records, and enhance the efficiency of data collection through automation. Public comments are invited by March 15, 2021, focusing on the necessity, utility, and potential burden of these data collections. The information gathered will influence the agency's operations concerning Medicare enrollments and adherence to mental health and addiction parity laws.
Significant Issues and Concerns
A key issue with the document is its complexity, which involves specialized language, legal references, and acronyms that may be challenging for the general public to understand. Terms like "burden estimate" and "annual hours" are used without adequate explanation, potentially leading readers to confusion about what the outcomes of these data collections would entail. The document also assumes a level of familiarity with various legal acts and sections of U.S. legislation, which may not be universally understood.
Broader Public Impact
For the general public, this document represents an opportunity to influence how CMS collects and uses information. The public comment process allows individuals to voice concerns about the time and resources they may need to dedicate to these collections. It raises awareness of how government agencies are working to balance necessary administrative functions with minimizing any potential burdens on individuals and organizations.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For specific stakeholders, such as healthcare professionals, insurance providers, and state or local governments, this document could have more direct implications. Healthcare providers and insurers, particularly those involved in mental health services, may be affected by the requirements under the MHPAEA, which mandates parity between mental health and medical/surgical benefits. Understanding these requirements could be critical for compliance and operational adjustments.
State and local governments are also among the "affected public," suggesting that regulatory requirements and data submissions could become more systematic. This may positively impact the accuracy and accessibility of federal risk assessments.
In conclusion, while the CMS document provides a platform for stakeholders to be involved in shaping information collection practices, its technical language and legal references may limit public engagement. Understanding and addressing these complexities is crucial for ensuring the proposed collections genuinely benefit the agency's performance and the public’s understanding and cooperation.
Issues
• The document uses specialized language and terminology that may be complex for the general public to understand, such as references to specific sections of the U.S. Code and CFR titles.
• The document refers to various forms and control numbers (e.g., CMS-18F5, CMS-10307), but it might not be clear to all readers exactly what these forms encompass or how they are used without further context.
• There is an extensive use of acronyms (e.g., MHPAEA, SSA, RRB, PHS) that may not be immediately familiar to all readers, potentially leading to confusion.
• The document summarizing the Paperwork Reduction Act requirements may be too technical for a general audience, with multiple steps and legal references that could be challenging to follow.
• Some information in the document, such as the implications of the rules and acts mentioned (e.g., Affordable Care Act, MHPAEA), may not be fully explained, which can result in a lack of understanding of the document's impact.
• The terms 'burden estimate', 'response', and 'annual hours' in the form descriptions could be clarified to make it more apparent what is being measured or required.