SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

When submitting comments or requesting information, please include the ICR title for reference.

Information Collection Request Title: Behavioral Health Integration Evidence Based Telehealth Network Program Outcome Measures, OMB No. 0906-xxxx—New.

Abstract: This clearance request is for OMB approval of a new information collection, the Behavioral Health Integration Evidence Based Telehealth Network Program (BHI EB-TNP) Outcome Measures. Under the BHI EB-TNP, HRSA administers grants in accordance with section 330I(d)(1) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254c-14(d)(1)). The purpose of this program is to integrate behavioral health services into primary care settings using telehealth technology through telehealth networks and evaluate the effectiveness of such integration. This program supports evidence-based projects that utilize telehealth technologies through telehealth networks in rural and underserved areas to (1) improve access to integrated behavioral health services in primary care settings; and (2) expand and improve the quality of health information available to health care providers by evaluating the effectiveness of integrating telebehavioral health services into primary care settings and establishing an evidence-based model that can assist health care providers. HRSA created a set of outcome measures to evaluate the effectiveness of grantees' services programs and monitor their progress using performance reporting data. The measures address behavioral health and substance use disorder priorities, originating and distant sites, specialties and services by site, volume of services by site and specialty, patient travel miles saved, and other uses of the telehealth network.

Need and Proposed Use of the Information: HRSA's goals for the program are to improve access to needed services, reduce rural practitioner isolation, improve health system productivity and efficiency, and improve patient outcomes. HRSA worked with program grantees to develop outcome measures to evaluate and monitor the progress of the grantees in each of these categories, with specific indicators to be reported annually through a performance monitoring data collection platform/website. Measures capture awardee-level and aggregate data that illustrate the impact and scope of program funding along with assessing these efforts. The measures are intended to inform HRSA's progress toward meeting program goals, specifically improving access to telebehavioral health services that support primary care providers.

Likely Respondents: BHI EB-TNP grantees.

Burden Statement: Burden in this context means the time expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, disclose, or provide the information requested. This includes the time needed to review instructions; to develop, acquire, install, and utilize technology and systems for the purpose of collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; to train personnel and to be able to respond to a collection of information; to search data sources; to complete and review the collection of information; and to transmit or otherwise disclose the information. The total annual burden hours estimated for this ICR are summarized in the table below. ( printed page 85546)

HRSA specifically requests comments on (1) the necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the agency's functions; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology to minimize the information collection burden.