Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Seeks Extension of Generic Data Collection Clearance

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality AHRQ has issued a notice in the Federal Register, signaling its intent to seek an extension without changes to a crucial information collection clearance. This action pertains to the ``Questionnaire and Data Collection Testing, Evaluation, and Research for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality,'' identified by OMB #0935-0124. The current clearance is set to expire on March 31, 2027, and AHRQ is requesting a three-year extension to maintain its ability to conduct preliminary research vital to its mission.

Purpose of the Generic Clearance

This generic clearance is foundational to AHRQ's continuous efforts to refine its data collection and estimation processes. It specifically enables the agency to employ evaluation-type methods and techniques to improve existing procedures, develop new collections and tools such as toolkits, and revise current ones. AHRQ underscores that these activities are designed to simplify data collection, reduce the burden on respondents, and enhance overall efficiency. The agency emphasizes that the healthcare landscape changes rapidly, necessitating agile responses and refined tools. This clearance facilitates such responsiveness.

A key distinction highlighted in the notice is that this generic clearance is strictly limited to research on data collections, toolkit development, and estimation procedures. It explicitly does not extend to the collection of data for public release or for the purpose of policy formation. The activities conducted under this clearance are entirely voluntary for respondents, and the confidentiality of their responses is preserved. AHRQ also states that these preliminary research activities will not be used to regulate or sanction its customers.

Method of Collection and Respondent Burden

To achieve its objectives, AHRQ utilizes various methods for these preliminary research activities. These methods are designed to gather insights that will ultimately improve data collection and procedures, minimize respondent burden, increase agency efficiency, and enhance public responsiveness. The notice provides detailed estimates for annual respondent burden and associated costs.

For instance, approximately 2,000 respondents annually are expected to participate in mail or email surveys, each taking about 20 minutes. Telephone surveys are projected to involve 200 people, requiring about 40 minutes per response. Web-based surveys will engage 1,000 individuals for roughly 10 minutes each. More intensive methods include focus groups, with 500 participants spending about two hours each, and in-person interviews with 200 people for approximately one hour each. Automated data collection is anticipated for 500 individuals, taking about one hour, while cognitive testing will involve 200 persons for an estimated 1.5 hours.

The aggregate annual burden across these methods is estimated at 2,967 hours. Translating this into monetary terms, AHRQ calculates an estimated annual cost burden of $310,111. This calculation uses an adjusted hourly wage rate of $104.52, derived from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2025'' for Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations,'' and includes benefit costs.

Public Comment Opportunity

In accordance with the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, AHRQ is soliciting public comments on its proposed information collection extension. The agency seeks feedback on several specific aspects:

• Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for AHRQ's functions and if it possesses practical utility.
• The accuracy of AHRQ's burden estimate, including both hours and costs.
• Potential ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected.
• Strategies to minimize the burden on respondents, such as through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments received will be summarized and included in AHRQ's subsequent request for approval from the Office of Management and Budget OMB. All submitted comments will become part of the public record. The deadline for submitting comments is December 28, 2026.