Section 304 of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 requires CMS to collect wage data on hospital employees by occupational category, at least once every three years in order to construct an occupational mix adjustment to the wage index. CMS first collected occupational mix survey data in 2003 for the FY 2005 wage index. In response to industry comments suggesting ways to improve the occupational mix survey, CMS has revised the survey for the next data collection period, 2006, to be used in calculating the FY 2008 wage index.
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.