Section 3004(a) of the Affordable Care
Act (which added Section 1886(m)(5) to the Social Security Act),
mandated the establishment of a quality reporting program for Long
Term Care Hospitals (LTCHs). Section 1886(m)(5) of the Act requires
LTCHs to submit quality data to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services (CMS) in a form, manner, and at a time specified by the
Secretary. 1886(m)(5)(A)(i) of the Act states that, beginning with
FY 2014, and each subsequent FY thereafter, the Secretary is to
reduce the payment update factor for any LTCH provider that does
not comply with the quality data submission requirements with
respect to that fiscal year. Furthermore, the quality data reported
by LTCHs is to be made publically available. CMS seeks to establish
an initial programmatic evaluation of the LTCH QRP in partnership
with providers. The information is intended to help inform CMS on
how providers are responding to the new QRP, the mechanisms
utilized by providers to collect and report data (inclusive of
determining the accuracy of that data), burden, practices related
to data collection, use of EHRs, etc., and the overall impact and
influences of the QRP program on healthcare outcomes. We believe
that this program will provide an opportunity for CMS to
specifically explore how LTCH providers are responding to the LTCH
QRP measures, understand early trends in outcomes, and make
adjustments as needed to enhance the effectiveness of the program
while keeping burden on providers as low as possible. Specifically,
we believe such an evaluation will keep CMS to be informed on
provider's experience related to the LTCH QRP.
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.