Initial application requirements for the PACE program are currently set forth in 42 CFR 460.12 and in the PACE Manual, Ch. 17. Until recently, the submission of initial and SAE PACE applications and supporting information was in paper format. These applications are often hundreds of pages long, expensive to reproduce and transmit, and administratively inefficient, as staff reviewing different parts of the application are located in different physical locations and must receive hard copies of the material. However, beginning in 2016, initial PACE applications are being submitted via a new automated, electronic submission process. As with initial applications, an application also must be submitted for a PO that seeks to expand its service area and/or add a new service site, and with OMB approval, an automated application process will now also be required of PACE organizations submitting service area expansion applications. In pursuing this new information collection package, we are extracting this component only from the existing OMB approval for the PACE program (CMS-R-244, OMB Control Number 0938-0790).
However, CMS has reconsidered its approach to the application process specific to SAEs and therefore, in addition to certain minor tweaks, is making modifications to the application and the requirements for application submission.
The number of SAE applications submitted to CMS for approval has increased over time, and 35 SAE applications, on average, are now expected to be submitted annually.
Details regarding the revisions, as well as the rationale for those changes, are provided below in sections 1, 8, and 15 of the Supporting Statement.
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.