The CoPs and accompanying requirements specified in the regulations are used by Federal or State surveyors as a basis for determining whether a hospice qualifies for approval or re-approval under Medicare. CMS and the healthcare industry believe that the availability to the hospice of the type of records and general content of records, which this regulation specifies, is standard medical practice, and is necessary in order to ensure the well-being and safety of patients and professional treatment accountability.
The total annual hourly burden for the information collection requirements is estimated to be 3,749,351 hours. The 507,071 hours hour increase is due to two main factors. First, the number of Medicare-certified hospices has increased by 576 hospices, from 3,897 to 4,473. Second, the number of patients receiving hospice services has increased 51,608 patients, from 1, 535,919 to 1,587,527 (1,428,775 Medicare Beneficiaries and 158,752 non-Medicare Beneficiaries).
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.