09/11/17  Portland, Ore.

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.

 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. If you are interested in submitting comments on behalf of your Critical Access Hospitals (CAH), please see below:

Comments Requested: Verifying CAHs Meet Medicare Requirements –Comment Period Closes September 29. CMS specifies the information Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) must submit to document compliance with the requirements to participate in Medicare (see 42 FCR 485 subpart F) and ensure patient safety and well-being. CMS believes submitting this information to be "standard medical practice" and estimates 1,215 CAHs will together spend more than 24,000 hours each year to comply. Commenters can provide feedback on the reality of the estimated burden as well as ways to improve the utility or clarity of the information collected, including by way of automated collection. CAH personnel can find resources to help prepare for surveys of Medicare requirements, including a directory of state survey agencies and tools for quality improvement.