Extension
(without change) of this PRA submission is approved through
9/30/2000 to allow for publication of the final HIPAA medical
privacy regulations that will include policies related to the
definition of identifiable data and minimum necessary disclosure.
Upon publication of these rules, HCFA should immediately reevaluate
the Systems of Records (SOR) notice for OASIS and its applicability
to accrediting organizations. Over the next six months, HCFA must
coordinate and discuss these policies on a regular basis with JCAHO
and other deeming groups. At this time, HCFA may not disclose to
accrediting organizations identifiable OASIS data for the
performance of quality of care functions. However, it is possible
that such organizations may receive data for legitimate research
purposes consistent with the SOR's routine use and HCFA's
administrative procedures. In the meantime, HCFA must carefully
evaluate its technical capabilities to encrypt/mask OASIS data and
should be prepared to implement the medical privacy regulation when
it is finalized. In a few months, HCFA should update OMB on its
technical capabi- lities. The next submission for OMB review also
must include a copy of HCFA's industry software specifications and
a summary description of vendor software and characterstics.
Finally, HCFA must continue to evaluate opportunities to reduce
burden, including enhanced population of data fields in recerti-
fication and the refinement of HAVEN software to reflect differing
data needs based upon patient condition and severity, (e.g. certain
conditions may change infrequently and/or may be less vulnerable to
deterioration in data quality during recerti- fication.)
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
09/30/2000
09/30/2000
03/31/2000
8,200
0
10,492
996,368
0
1,274,866
29,000,000
0
36,400,000
HHAs are required to report data from
the OASIS data set as a condition of participation. Specifically,
the above named regulations sections provide guidelines for HHAs
for the electronic transmission of the OASIS data set, as well as
responsibilities of the State agency or OASIS contractor in
collecting and transmitting this information to HCFA. These
requirements are necessary to establish a prospective payment
system for HHAs and to achieve broad-based, measurable improvement
in the quality of care furnished through Federal programs.
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.