Prior to the re-submission of the information collection (IC), CMS is requirement to revised quality data reporting discussion in the supporting statement A and burden estimate based on any quality measurement changes in the 2026 and 2027 Medicare payment rulemaking cycle.
table that charts list comparision
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
12/31/2026
36 Months From Approved
04/30/2027
4,356
0
187,992
8,579
0
9,101
0
0
0
The Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), 2021, was signed into law in December 2020. In this legislation, Congress established a new Medicare provider type: Rural Emergency Hospitals (REHs). Section 125 of Division CC of the CAA, 2021 added section 1861(kkk) to the Social Security Act (the Act). This section defines an REH as a facility that, in relevant part, was as of December 27, 2020: (1) a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) or a subsection (d) hospital with not more than 50 beds located in a county (or equivalent unit of local government) in a rural area (defined in section 1886(d)(2)(D) of the Act); or (2) was a subsection (d) hospital with not more than 50 beds that was treated as being in a rural area pursuant to section 1886(d)(8)(E) of the Act.
Under section 1861(kkk)(7) of the Act, as added by section 125 of Division CC of the CAA, 2021, the Secretary is required to establish quality measurement reporting requirements for REHs, which may include the use of a small number of claims-based measures or patient experience surveys. An REH must submit quality measure data to the Secretary, and the Secretary shall establish procedures to make the data available to the public on a CMS website.
The adoption of the HCHE measure results in a total estimated burden increase of six hours at a cost of $332 beginning with the CY 2027 program determination. The adoption of the Screening for SDOH and Screen Positive Rate for SDOH measures results in a total estimated burden increase of 12,984 hours at a cost of $318,163 and six hours at a cost of $332, respectively, when mandatory reporting begins for the CY 2028 program determination.
Accounting for the impact of the measure adoptions in the CY 2025 OPPS/ASC final rule, our updated estimate of the number of REHs results in an annual burden decrease of 8,698 hours and $452,026 through the CY 2028 payment determination. From the CY 2027 payment determination through the CY 2028 program determination, due to these measure adoptions and adjustments, the aggregate increase in burden hours is 4,298 hours (-8,698 + 6 + 12,984 + 6) with a decrease of $133,199 (-$452,026 + $332 + $318,163 + $332) as shown in Tables 4 and 5.
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-10870 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Quality Program Extraordinary Circumstances Exceptions (ECE) Request Form
REHQR CY 2025 Supporting Statement Part B (final rule).docx
Rural Emergency Hospital Quality Reporting (REHQR) Program