The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is requesting the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to survey physicians about the 2006 Medicare Oncology Demonstration Program. The 2006 Medicare Oncology Demonstration Program is a national program that supports the use of evidence-based practice guidelines. The purpose of the demonstration is to sustain quality care for Medicare patients with a primary diagnosis of cancer in one of 13 major diagnostic categories. The demonstration gathers information regarding patients' treatments, the spectrum of care they receive, and the frequency with which physician's use clinical practice guidelines. CMS is conducting a evaluation of the program using both qualitative and quantitative methods, to include site visits with physician practices participating in the demonstration, one-on-one telephone discussions with physician practices not participating in the demonstration, a survey of physicians participating and non-participating in the demonstration, and an analysis of demonstration claims data.
CMS has clear and compelling reasons to focus on encouraging appropriate and high quality of care for the beneficiaries it serves, in addition to fostering efficiencies across all facets of cancer treatment. This evaluation will evaluate how physicians, particularly oncologists and hematologists, have adapted their practice in response to the CMS payment incentive, and to understand lessons learned for future demonstration projects involving oncologists and all specialists.
The Physician Survey for the 2006 Medicare Oncology Demonstration Program will gather a total of 600 surveys with physicians. This survey is particularly important to the evaluation because it provides aggregate data that will provide CMS with a deeper understanding of why physicians chose to participate in this demonstration and the challenges to participation. This is the first systematic data collection of its kind to take place regarding the 2006 Medicare Oncology Demonstration Program. No other projects assessing physicians experience of the 2006 Demonstration are known to be funded by either the federal government or private entities prior to the development of this study. The survey will first be mailed to respondents and then followed-up by telephone.
The survey will have minimal impact on respondents. Completion of the survey will require minimal time (no more than 10 minutes) out of a respondent's workday. The survey has pre-tested the survey instrument to identify problem areas prior to implementation. This survey will be conducted only once. Furthermore, in order to decrease respondent burden, the respondent will be able to return the completed questionnaire by mail, fax, and e-mail. In addition, the respondent may also complete the questionnaire by telephone.
US Code:
42 USC 285
Name of Law: National Cancer Program
This survey will provide information on how physicians, particularly oncologists and hematologists, adapted their practice in response to the CMS payment incentive, to guide future CMS demonstration projects involving oncologists and all specialists.
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.
3_CMS-10217-3_OMB Package_071212.doc
Physician Survey for the 2006 Medicare Oncology Demonstration Program (CMS-10217)