This ICR is
approved on the following conditions: 1) the incentives paid for
the 2007 survey will be no more than $30; 2) AHRQ agrees to submit,
in time for the 2008 survey, a plan to build in an experiment about
how different incentive amounts affect response rates; 3) AHRQ
agrees to explore, in time for the 2008 survey, the utility of
collecting information about children with diabetes as well as
women with gestational diabetes, given the link that has been
established between the two; 4) AHRQ agrees to continue to explore
adding quality of care and outcome measures for the priority
conditions added to the survey, as these standards and outcomes
evidence become available.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
12/31/2009
36 Months From Approved
02/28/2007
132,548
0
83,700
85,184
0
249,848
0
0
0
The MEPS includes the collection of
data from household and medic medical providers to provide
nationally representative unbiased estimates of health care use and
expenditures for the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized
population.
US Code:
9 USC
580 Name of Law: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Differences in the
questionnaire between the existing MEPS instrument are minor and
limited to two areas. Questions ascertaining whether household
members have had specific diseases or condition have been moved
from round 3 and 5 to round 1. Questions about score throat were
removed and questions about chronic bronchitis, high cholesterol,
cancer, and ADHD/ADD were added. In addition, questions that
ascertain family relationships among members of the household have
been revised for ease of administration. In this later instance,
the changes do not change the nature of the data collected but
rather increase the ease with which the respondent and interviewer
can record the information. In addition, the software will allow
for the CAPI to display either English or Spanish test for the
interviewer. In the past, MEPS interviewers have used a paper
translation guide.
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.