Emergency Clearance: Public Information Collection Requirements Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), 20483-20484 [E9-10326]

Agencies

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

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 84 (Monday, May 4, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20483-20484]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-10326]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-10285]


Emergency Clearance: Public Information Collection Requirements 
Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

AGENCY: Center for Medicare and 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 and Medicaid 
Services (CMS), Department of Health and Human Services, 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.
    We are, however, requesting an emergency review of the information 
collection referenced below. In compliance with the requirement of 
section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we have 
submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) the following 
requirements for emergency review. We are requesting an emergency 
review because the collection of this information is needed before the 
expiration of the normal time limits under OMB's regulations at 5 CFR 
Part 1320(a)(2)(iii). This is necessary to ensure compliance with an 
initiative of the Administration. If CMS were to comply with the normal 
clearance procedures, it would not be able to implement its expedited 
review program on a timely basis as required by the American Recovery 
and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) section 3001(a)(5).
    1. Type of Information Collection Request: New collection; Title of 
Information Collection: Request for Expedited Review of Denial of 
Premium Assistance Use: Section 3001 of the ARRA provides ``Assistance 
Eligible Individuals'' with the right to pay reduced COBRA premiums. An 
``assistance eligible individual'' is a ``qualified beneficiary'' who: 
(1) is eligible for COBRA continuation coverage at any time during the 
period beginning September 1, 2008 and ending December 31, 2009: (2) 
elects COBRA coverage: and (3) has a qualifying event for COBRA 
coverage, that is the employee's involuntary termination during the 
period beginning September 1, 2008 and ending December 31, 2009.
    If individuals request treatment as an assistance eligible 
individual and are denied such treatment because of their ineligibility 
for the reduced premium assistance, the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services must provide for expedited review of the denial upon 
application to the Secretary in the form and manner the Secretary 
provides. The Secretary is required to make a determination within 15 
business days after receipt of an individual's application for review.
    The Request for Expedited Review of Denial of Premium Assistance 
(the ``Application'') is the form that will be used by individuals to 
file their expedited review appeals. Such individuals must complete all 
information requested on the Application in order to file their review 
requests with CMS. An Application may be denied if sufficient 
information is not provided. Form Number: CMS-10285 (OMB: 
0938-New); Frequency: Reporting--Once; Affected Public: Individuals or 
Households; Number of Respondents: 12,000 Total Annual Responses: 
12,000; Total Annual Hours: 12,000. (For policy questions regarding 
this collection contact Jim Mayhew at 410-786-9244. For all other 
issues call 410-786-1326.)
    CMS is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by May 
15, 2009, with a 180-day approval period. Written comments and 
recommendation will be considered from the public if received by the 
individuals designated below by the noted deadline below.

[[Page 20484]]

    To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms 
for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access CMS's 
Web Site address 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 May 14, 2009:
    1. Electronically. You may submit your comments electronically 
tohttps://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 (CMS-10285), Room C4-26-05, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, 
Maryland 21244-1850;
    and
OMB Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: CMS Desk 
Officer, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 
20503, Fax Number: (202) 395-6974.

    Dated: April 30, 2009.
Michelle Shortt,
Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic Operations 
and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. E9-10326 Filed 5-1-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P