Section 3004(b) of the Affordable Care
Act (which added Section 1886(j)(7) to the Social Security Act),
mandated the establishment of a quality reporting program for
Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRFs). ACA 3004(b)(5) requires
that IRFs submit quality measurement data to Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services (CMS) in a form and manner, and time
specified by the Secretary. Section 3004(b)(5)(A)(i) of the ACA
further states that, beginning with FY 2014, and each subsequent FY
thereafter, the Secretary is to reduce the payment update factor
for IRFs for any provider that does not comply with the quality
data submission requirements with respect to that fiscal year.
Furthermore, such quality data is to be made publically available.
We are currently reviewing the data submitted during the reporting
period of 10/01/2012 to 12/31/2012, which affects the FY 2014
payment update factor, to determine which IRFs, if any, will
receive the 2% payment reduction. CMS seeks to establish, through
the use of a questionnaire, an initial programmatic evaluation of
the IRF 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 provides an opportunity for
CMS to specifically explore how IRF providers are responding to the
IRF 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 IRF 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.