Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) want to know what people think about the ways they plan to collect information to make their services better. They're asking for ideas on if collecting this info is useful and how to make it easier, and you have until January 8, 2025, to share your thoughts.
Summary AI
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking public comments on its intention to collect information as part of the Paperwork Reduction Act. This notice gives the public a chance to provide input on various collections of information, which include issues such as the accuracy of burden estimates and usefulness of the data collected. CMS is also looking at ways to improve the process and the effectiveness of using data collected from State agencies, mental health centers, and other entities to provide better services for Medicare and Medicaid. People are encouraged to submit their comments by January 8, 2025.
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 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have released a notice seeking public comment on their plan to collect information under the Paperwork Reduction Act. This initiative involves gathering data from various state agencies and healthcare entities to enhance Medicare and Medicaid services. The notice calls for feedback about the relevance and utility of the data, methods to minimize the burden of information collection, and to refine the process. It highlights that interested parties have until January 8, 2025, to submit their comments.
Summary and Context
The document primarily outlines CMS's efforts to collect specific types of information from public entities. This process is standard practice under the Paperwork Reduction Act, which mandates federal agencies to consult the public before starting or extending data collection activities. The aim is to ensure that the Information Collections (ICs) conducted serve useful purposes without imposing unnecessary burdens on participants.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Several concerns arise from the dense technical language used in the document. The extensive use of acronyms such as “SEP” (Special Enrollment Period), “LEP” (Late Enrollment Penalty), and government entities like CMS and OMB (Office of Management and Budget) may confuse a general audience unfamiliar with these terms.
Additionally, the document does not elucidate the specific benefits expected from the data collected, which could lead to ambiguity about the overall necessity of the effort. Another significant issue is the lack of transparency in cost distribution for each data collection type, which might lead to questions about possible inefficient spending.
Broad Impact on the Public
For the general public, this document represents a federal effort to improve governmental processes and services. While the public is invited to comment, the complex nature of the text could act as a barrier to effective public engagement. Greater public clarity could improve trust and participation, ensuring the collections genuinely reflect public needs and concerns.
Potential Impact on Stakeholders
State Medicaid agencies and Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) are likely to be directly impacted by these data collections. For these stakeholders, the outcomes could be beneficial, such as improving internal processes and obtaining clearer insights through mandatory reports, which can lead to improved service delivery. However, the process could also become an additional administrative burden if not effectively streamlined.
In summary, while well-intentioned, the document's effectiveness in fostering meaningful public participation is potentially hampered by technical jargon and limited clarity on the intended positive outcomes. Addressing these issues could help maximize the beneficial impact of the proposed information collections.
Issues
• The document does not provide a detailed breakdown of costs associated with each information collection, leading to a lack of transparency regarding potential wasteful spending.
• The language used in the document is technical and dense, which may make it difficult for the general public to comprehend the requirements and implications of the information collections.
• The document specifies forms and control numbers but does not clarify if any particular organizations or individuals are favored in the collection process or benefits.
• The specific benefits or improvements expected from the information collection effort are not clearly outlined, causing potential ambiguity about the necessity and utility of the proposed collections.
• The use of terms like 'SEP', 'LEP', and abbreviations such as 'OMB', 'CMS', 'PPS', etc., without prior explanation might confuse readers who are not familiar with these acronyms.