The proposed physician focus groups are part of an overall evaluation of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)'s congressionally mandated Medicare Gainsharing Demonstration Evaluation. The Congress, under Section 5007 of the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) in 2005 required that CMS conduct a qualified gainsharing program to test alternative ways that hospitals and physicians can share in efficiency gains. The primary goal of the demonstration is to evaluate gainsharing as means to align physician and hospital incentives to improve quality and efficiency. The demonstration has two mandated Reports to Congress. Results from these physician focus groups will be included in both Reports to Congress.
A one-time increase in provider burden of 192.0 hours is necessary to conduct physician focus groups. The Congress, under Section 5007 of the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) in 2005 required that CMS conduct a qualified gainsharing program to test alternative ways that hospitals and physicians can share in efficiency gains. The time period for the demonstrations will be extended. There are mandates for two Reports to Congress. The information gained from the proposed physician focus groups will be included in these mandated Reports. Focus groups are the least burdensome method of collecting information concerning impacts of the demonstration on physicians. The burden to each participant physician will be limited to 1 hour. There are no capital, startup, operational, or maintenance costs required of the focus group participants.
$36,000
No
No
No
Uncollected
No
Uncollected
Bonnie Harkless 4107865666
No
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.