The Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) is a continuous, multipurpose survey of a nationally representative sample of aged, disabled, and institutionalized Medicare beneficiaries. MCBS, which is sponsored by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), is the only comprehensive source of information on the health status, health care use and expenditures, health insurance coverage, and socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of the entire spectrum of Medicare beneficiaries. The core of the MCBS is a series of interviews with a stratified random sample of the Medicare population, including aged and disabled enrollees, residing in the community or in institutions. Questions are asked about enrollees' patterns of health care use, charges, insurance coverage, and payments over time. Respondents are asked about their sources of health care coverage and payment, their demographic characteristics, their health and work history, and their family living circumstances. In addition to collecting information through the core questionnaire, the MCBS collects information on special topics through supplements. For example, questions are asked about enrollees' income and assets, access to health care, health and functional status and satisfaction with care. Special supplements also focus on emerging trends in health care.
The increase in burden hours is a direct result of two separate factors. The first is the computer assisted in-person interviewing (CAPI) operating platform conversion effort. The change in functionality has contributed much of the increase; however, this is not the only reason for the burden increase. The addition of Medicare Part D to the program has increased the number of statements with which must be recorded. In an effort to defray some of this increased burden, several methodological modifications have been adopted. Two primary steps that have been taken to help reduce overall burden are, to change the utilization reference period and changing the facility reference period from every 4 months to every 6 months.
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.
Form CMS-P-0015A Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS): Rounds 48-56 (CMS Number CMS-P-0015A)
UPDAttachments TOC.docx
Attachment 3 - UPDMCBSBrochure.pdf
attachment 11.zip
Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS):(CMS Number CMS-P-0015A)