Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request, 8964 [E9-4128]

Agencies

• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
• DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 38 (Friday, February 27, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 8964]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-4128]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-10237 and 10214, and CMS-10171]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, HHS.
    In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid 
Services (CMS) is publishing the following summary of proposed 
collections for public comment. Interested persons are invited to send 
comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this 
collection of information, including any of the following subjects: (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.
    1. Type of Information Collection Request: Extension of a currently 
approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Medicare 
Advantage Applications--Part C and regulations under 42 CFR part 422 
subpart K; Use: The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 established a new 
``Part C'' in the Medicare statute Social Security Act (the Act), which 
provided for a Medicare+Choice (M+C) program. Under section 1851 of the 
Act, every individual entitled to Medicare Part A and enrolled under 
Part B, except for most individuals with end-stage renal disease 
(ESRD), could elect to receive benefits either through the Original 
Medicare Program or an M+C plan.
    The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act 
of 2003 (MMA) was enacted on December 8, 2003. The MMA established the 
Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program (Part D) and made revisions 
to the provisions of Medicare Part C, governing what is now called the 
Medicare Advantage (MA) program (formerly Medicare+Choice).
    Coverage for the prescription drug benefit is provided through 
contracted prescription drug plans or through Medicare Advantage (MA) 
plans that offer integrated prescription drug and health care coverage 
(MA-PD plans). Cost plans that are required under section 1876 of the 
Social Security Act, and Employer Group Waiver Plans (EGWP) may also 
provide a Part D benefit. Organizations wishing to provide services 
under the MA and MA-PD plans must complete an application, negotiate 
rates and receive final approval from CMS. Certain existing MA plans 
may also expand their contracted area by completing the Service Area 
Expansion (SAE) application.
    Form Number: CMS-10237 and 10214 (OMB 0938-0935); 
Frequency: Yearly; Affected Public: Private Sector; Number of 
Respondents: 267; Total Annual Responses: 267; Total Annual Hours: 
6,490. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Betty 
Burrier at 410-786-4649. For all other issues call 410-786-1326.)
    2. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently 
approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Coordination of 
Benefits between Part D Plans and Other Prescription Coverage 
Providers; Use: Section 1860D-23 and 1860D-24 of the Social Security 
Act requires the Secretary to establish requirements for prescription 
drug plans to ensure the effective coordination between Part D plans, 
State pharmaceutical Assistance programs and other payers. This 
collection request will assist CMS, Part D plans and other payers with 
coordination of prescription drug benefits at the point-of-sale and 
tracking of the beneficiary's True out-of-pocket (TrOOP) expenditures 
using the TrOOP facilitator. This information will be used by Part D 
plans, other health insurers or payers, pharmacies and CMS to 
coordinate prescription drug benefits provided to the Medicare 
beneficiary. Beginning in CY 2009, CMS, via the TrOOP facilitation 
contractor, will automate the transfer of beneficiary coverage 
information when a beneficiary changes plans. Form Number: CMS-10171 
(OMB 0938-0978); Frequency: Hourly, yearly and occasionally; 
Affected Public: Business or other for-profits; Number of Respondents: 
56,988; Total Annual Responses: 1,139,760; Total Annual Hours: 
1,125,883. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact 
Christine Hinds at 410-786-4578. For all other issues call 410-786-
1326.)
    To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms 
for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access CMS' 
Web site at https://www.cms.hhs.gov/PaperworkReductionActof1995, or e-
mail your request, including your address, phone number, OMB number, 
and CMS document identifier, to Paperwork@cms.hhs.gov, or call the 
Reports Clearance Office on (410) 786-1326.
    In commenting on the proposed information collections please 
reference the document identifier or OMB control number. To be assured 
consideration, comments and recommendations must be submitted in one of 
the following ways by April 28, 2009:
    1. Electronically. You may submit your comments electronically to 
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for ``Comment or 
Submission'' or ``More Search Options'' to find the information 
collection document(s) accepting comments.
    2. By regular mail. You may mail written comments to the following 
address: CMS, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs, 
Division of Regulations Development, Attention: Document Identifier/OMB 
Control Number, Room C4-26-05, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, 
Maryland 21244-1850.

    Dated: February 20, 2009.
Michelle Shortt,
Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic Operations 
and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. E9-4128 Filed 2-26-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P