Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request, 31336-31338 [2014-12664]
Download as PDF
sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
31336
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 105 / Monday, June 2, 2014 / Notices
and CMS document identifier, to
Paperwork@cms.hhs.gov.
3. Call the Reports Clearance Office at
(410) 786–1326.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Reports Clearance Office at (410) 786–
1326.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA)
(44 U.S.C. 3501–3520), federal agencies
must obtain approval from the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for each
collection of information they conduct
or sponsor. The term ‘‘collection of
information’’ is defined in 44 U.S.C.
3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c) and
includes agency requests or
requirements that members of the public
submit reports, keep records, or provide
information to a third party. Section
3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(2)(A)) requires federal agencies
to publish a 30-day notice in the
Federal Register concerning each
proposed collection of information,
including each proposed extension or
reinstatement of an existing collection
of information, before submitting the
collection to OMB for approval. To
comply with this requirement, CMS is
publishing this notice that summarizes
the following proposed collection(s) of
information for public comment:
1. Type of Information Collection
Request: Revision of a currently
approved collection; Title of
Information Collection: Hospice
Conditions of Participation and
Supporting Regulations; Use: The
Conditions of Participation and
accompanying requirements are used by
federal or state surveyors as a basis for
determining whether a hospice qualifies
for approval or re-approval under
Medicare. The healthcare industry and
CMS believe that the availability to the
hospice of the type of records and
general content of records, which the
final rule (72 FR 32088) specifies, is
standard medical practice, and is
necessary in order to ensure the wellbeing and safety of patients and
professional treatment accountability.
Subsequent to the publication of the 60day Federal Register notice (November
29, 2013; 78 FR 71617), the burden
hours previously accounted for in OMB
control number 0938–0302 have been
updated and moved under this package
to consolidate all hospice-related
burden into a single package. Form
Number: CMS–10277 (OCN: 0938–
1067); Frequency: Yearly; Affected
Public: Private sector (business or other
for-profit and not-for-profit institutions);
Number of Respondents: 3,897; Total
Annual Responses: 19,654,387; Total
Annual Hours: 3,300,735. (For policy
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questions regarding this collection
contact Danielle Shearer at 410–786–
6617.)
2. Type of Information Collection
Request: New collection (Request for a
new OMB control number); Title of
Information Collection: Application for
Participation in the Intravenous
Immune Globulin (IVIG) Demonstration;
Use: Traditional fee-for-service (FFS)
Medicare covers some or all
components of home infusion services
depending on the circumstances. By
special statutory provision, Medicare
Part B covers intravenous immune
globulin (IVIG) for persons with primary
immune deficiency disease (PIDD) who
wish to receive the drug at home.
However, Medicare does not separately
pay for any services or supplies to
administer it if the person is not
homebound and otherwise receiving
services under a Medicare Home Health
episode of care. As a result, many
beneficiaries have chosen to receive the
drug at their doctor’s office or in an
outpatient hospital setting. On Tuesday,
January 3, 2012, the President signed
into law the ‘‘Medicare IVIG Access and
Strengthening Medicare and Repaying
Taxpayers Act of 2012.’’ The act
authorizes a 3-year demonstration under
Part B of Title XVIII of the Social
Security Act to evaluate the benefits of
providing payment for items and
services needed for the in-home
administration of IVIG for the treatment
of PIDD.
The statute limited the demonstration
to 4,000 beneficiaries and $45 million,
including administrative expenses for
implementation and evaluation as well
as benefit costs. The statute also
required that an evaluation of the
demonstration be conducted. Under this
demonstration, Medicare will issue,
under Part B, a bundled payment for all
medically necessary supplies and
services to administer IVIG in the home
to enrolled beneficiaries who are not
otherwise homebound and receiving
home health care benefits. To
implement the demonstration and
ensure that statutory limits are not
exceeded, it is necessary to positively
enroll beneficiaries in the
demonstration.
This collection of information is for
the application to participate in the
demonstration. Participation is
voluntary and may be terminated by the
beneficiary at any time. Beneficiaries
who do not participate will continue to
be eligible to receive all of the regular
Medicare Part B benefits that they are
would be eligible for in the absence of
the demonstration. Subsequent to the
publication of the 60-day Federal
Register notice (March 7, 2014; 79 FR
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13058), the application has been revised
by changing the order of the questions,
rewording questions, and allowing more
response options. Form Number: CMS–
10518 (OCN: 0938—New); Frequency:
Annually; Affected Public: Individuals
and households; Number of
Respondents: 4,000; Total Annual
Responses: 4,000; Total Annual Hours:
1,000. (For policy questions regarding
this collection contact Jody Blatt at 410–
786–6921.)
Dated: May 28, 2014.
Martique Jones,
Deputy Director, Regulations Development
Group, Office of Strategic Operations and
Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2014–12665 Filed 5–30–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services
[Document Identifiers: CMS–10340 and
CMS–10380]
Agency Information Collection
Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request
Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services, HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services (CMS) is announcing
an opportunity for the public to
comment on CMS’ intention to collect
information from the public. Under the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (the
PRA), federal agencies are required to
publish notice in the Federal Register
concerning each proposed collection of
information (including each proposed
extension or reinstatement of an existing
collection of information) and to allow
60 days for public comment on the
proposed action. Interested persons are
invited to send comments regarding our
burden estimates 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.
Comments must be received by
August 1, 2014:
DATES:
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02JNN1
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 105 / Monday, June 2, 2014 / Notices
When commenting, please
reference the document identifier or
OMB control number (OCN). To be
assured consideration, comments and
recommendations must be submitted in
any one of the following ways:
1. Electronically. You may send 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) that are 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.
To obtain copies of a supporting
statement and any related forms for the
proposed collection(s) summarized in
this notice, you may make your request
using one of following:
1. Access CMS’ Web site address at
https://www.cms.hhs.gov/
PaperworkReductionActof1995.
2. Email your request, including your
address, phone number, OMB number,
and CMS document identifier, to
Paperwork@cms.hhs.gov.
3. Call the Reports Clearance Office at
(410) 786–1326.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Reports Clearance Office at (410) 786–
1326.
ADDRESSES:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Contents
This notice sets out a summary of the
use and burden associated with the
following information collections. More
detailed information can be found in
each collection’s supporting statement
and associated materials (see
ADDRESSES).
sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
CMS–10340 Collection of Encounter
Data From Medicare Advantage
Organizations, Section 1876 Cost
HMOS/CMPS, Section 1833 Health Care
Prepayment Plans (HCPPS), and Pace
Organizations
CMS–10380 Reporting Requirements
for Grants to States for Rate Review
Cycle I, Cycle II, Cycle III, and Cycle IV
and Effective Rate Review Program
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act
(PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501–3520), federal
agencies must obtain approval from the
Office of Management and Budget
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Jkt 232001
(OMB) for each collection of
information they conduct or sponsor.
The term ‘‘collection of information’’ is
defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR
1320.3(c) and includes agency requests
or requirements that members of the
public submit reports, keep records, or
provide information to a third party.
Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA
requires federal agencies to publish a
60-day notice in the Federal Register
concerning each proposed collection of
information, including each proposed
extension or reinstatement of an existing
collection of information, before
submitting the collection to OMB for
approval. To comply with this
requirement, CMS is publishing this
notice.
Information Collection
1. Type of Information Collection
Request: Extension of a currently
approved collection; Title of
Information Collection: Collection of
Encounter Data from Medicare
Advantage Organizations, Section 1876
Cost HMOS/CMPS, Section 1833 Health
Care Prepayment Plans (HCPPS), and
Pace Organizations; Use: CMS collects
encounter data or data on each item or
service delivered to enrollees of
Medicare Advantage (MA) plans offered
by MA organizations. MA organizations
currently obtain this data from
providers. CMS collects this information
using standard transaction forms and
code sets. CMS will use the data for
determining risk adjustment factors for
payment, updating the risk adjustment
model, calculating Medicare DSH
percentages, Medicare coverage
purposes, and quality review and
improvement activities. The data is also
used to verify the accuracy and validity
of the costs claimed on cost reports. For
PACE organizations, encounter data
would serve the same purpose it does
related to the MA program and would
be submitted in a similar manner. Form
Number: CMS–10340 (OCN: 0938–
1152); Frequency: Weekly; Affected
Public: Private sector (business or other
for-profits); Number of Respondents:
683; Total Annual Responses:
516,493,635; Total Annual Hours:
34,433 (For policy questions regarding
this collection contact Michael
Massimini at 410–786–1566).
2. Type of Information Collection
Request: Revision of a currently
approved collection; Title of
Information Collection: Reporting
Requirements for Grants to States for
Rate Review Cycle I, Cycle II, Cycle III,
and Cycle IV and Effective Rate Review
Program; Use: Under the section 1003 of
the Affordable Care Act (ACA) (section
2794 of the Public Health Service Act),
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31337
the Secretary, in conjunction with the
states and territories, is required to
establish a process for the annual
review, beginning with the 2010 plan
year, of unreasonable increases in
premiums for health insurance
coverage. Section 2794(c) requires the
Secretary to establish the Rate Review
Grant Program to assist states to
implement this provision. In addition,
section 2794(c) requires the Rate Review
Grant Program to assist states in the
establishment and enhancement of
‘‘Data Centers’’ that collect, analyze, and
disseminate health care pricing data to
the public.
Concurrent with this information
collection request, HHS released Cycle
IV of the Rate Review Grants, ‘‘Grants to
States to Support Health Insurance Rate
Review and Increase Transparency in
the Pricing of Medical Services.’’ The
purpose of Cycle IV of the Rate Review
Grant Program is to continue the rate
review successes of Cycles I, II, and III,
as well as to provide greater support to
Data Centers, thereby enhancing
medical pricing transparency. States
and territories that apply for funds are
required to complete the grant
application. States and territories that
are awarded funds under this funding
opportunity are required to provide the
Secretary with rate review data, four
quarterly reports, and one annual report
per year until the end of the grant
period detailing the state’s progression
towards a more comprehensive and
effective rate review process. A final
report is due at the end of the grant
period. This information collection is
required for effective monitoring of
grantees and to fulfill statutory
requirements under section
2794(b)(1)(A) of the ACA that requires
grantees, as a condition of receiving a
grant authorized under section 2794(c),
to report to the Secretary information
about premium increases.
On May 23, 2011, CMS published a
final rule with comment period (76 FR
29964) to implement the annual review
of unreasonable increases in premiums
for health insurance coverage called for
by section 2794. Under the regulation, if
CMS determines that a state has an
Effective Rate Review Program in a
given market, using the criteria set forth
in the rule, CMS will adopt that state’s
determinations regarding whether rate
increases in that market are
unreasonable, provided that the state
reports its final determinations to CMS
and explains the bases of its
determinations. The final rule titled
‘‘Patient Protection and Affordable Care
Act; Health Insurance Market Rules;
Rate Review’’ (78 FR 13406, February
27, 2013) amends the standards under
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 105 / Monday, June 2, 2014 / Notices
the Effective Rate Review Program.
Currently, CMS relies on publicly
available information and annual calls
with individual states to obtain the
information needed to evaluate whether
a state has begun to or continues to
satisfy the Effective Rate Review
Program criteria. CMS is proposing to
instead collect the information in
writing from all states that would like to
request effective status. Form Number:
CMS–10380 (OCN: 0938–1121);
Frequency: Annually and On occasion;
Affected Public: Public Sector and State
and Territory Governments; Number of
Respondents: 50; Total Annual
Responses: 553; Total Annual Hours:
20,951. (For policy questions regarding
this collection contact Susie Lorden at
301–492–4162.)
Dated: May 28, 2014.
Martique Jones,
Deputy Director, Regulations Development
Group, Office of Strategic Operations and
Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2014–12664 Filed 5–30–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and
Families
sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request
Title: Social Services Block Grant
(SSBG) Post-expenditure Report.
OMB No.: 0970–0234.
Description:
Purpose: To request approval to: (1)
Extend the collection of postexpenditure data using the current OMB
approved post-expenditure reporting
form (OMB No. 0970–0234) past the
current expiration date of July 31, 2014;
and (2) to request that States continue
to voluntarily submit estimated preexpenditure and recipient data using the
post-expenditure reporting form, as part
of the required annual intended use
plan.
The Social Services Block Grant
program (SSBG) is authorized under
Title XX of the Social Security Act, as
amended, and is codified at 42 U.S.C.
1397 through § 13097e. SSBG provides
funds to assist States in delivering
critical services to vulnerable older
adults, persons with disabilities, at-risk
adolescents and young adults, and
children and families. SSBG funds are
allocated to each State in proportion to
their relative population.
Each State is responsible for designing
and implementing its own SSBG
program to meet the specialized needs
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Jkt 232001
of their most vulnerable populations.
States may determine what services will
be provided, who will be eligible, and
how funds will be distributed among
the various services. State or local SSBG
agencies (i.e., county, city, regional
offices) may provide the services or
States may purchase services from
qualified agencies, organizations, or
individuals. States must administer
their SSBG program according to their
approved intended use plan, along with
amendments, and in conformance with
their own implementing rules and
policies. The Office of Community
Services (OCS), Administration for
Children and Families administers the
SSBG program.
Annually, States are required to
submit a pre-expenditure report or
intended use plan as a prerequisite to
receiving SSBG funds. The preexpenditure report must include
information on the types of services to
be supported and the characteristics of
individuals to be served. This report is
to be submitted 30 days prior to the start
of the fiscal year (June 1 if the State
operates on a July–June fiscal year, or
September 1 if the State operates on a
Federal fiscal year). No specific format
is required for the intended use plan.
States are required to submit a revised
intended use plan if the planned use of
SSBG funds changes during the year (42
U.S.C. 1397c).
In order to provide a more accurate
analysis of the extent to which funds are
spent ‘‘in a manner consistent’’ with
each of the States plan for their use, as
required by 42 U.S.C. 1397e(a), ACF
continues to request that States
voluntarily use the format of the postexpenditure reporting form to provide
estimates of the amount of expenditures
and the number of recipients, by service
category, as part of the State’s intended
use plan. Most of the States are
currently using the format of the postexpenditure reporting form to report
estimated expenditures and recipients,
by service category, as part of their
intended use plan.
On annual basis, States also are
required to submit a post-expenditure
report that details their use of SSBG
funds in each of 29 service categories.
States are required to submit their postexpenditure report within six months of
the end of the period covered by the
report. The post-expenditure report
must address: (1) The number of
individuals (including number of
children and number of adults) who
receive services paid for, in whole or in
part, with Federal funds under the
SSBG; (2) The amount of SSBG funds
spent in providing each service; (3) The
total amount of Federal, State, and local
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Frm 00056
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
funds spent in providing each service,
including SSBG funds; and (4) The
method(s) by which each service is
provided, showing separately the
services provided by public and private
agencies (42 U.S.C. 1397e; 42 CFR
96.74).
This request seeks approval to
continue the use of the current OMB
approved post-expenditure reporting
form (OMB No. 0970–0234) for
estimating expenditures and recipients
as part of States’ intended use plans and
for annual post-expenditure reporting.
Until recently, States reported the data
on the post-expenditure reporting form
in Microsoft ExcelTM and submitted it to
ACF, via email. Beginning in 2013,
States can complete the current
reporting form on the SSBG Portal. The
SSBG Portal is a secure web-based data
portal. The SSBG Portal allows for more
efficient data submission without
increasing the overall burden on States.
It provides a user-friendly means for
States to submit and access their preexpenditure and post-expenditure and
recipient data.
Information collected in the postexpenditure reports submitted by States
is analyzed and described in an annual
report on SSBG expenditures and
recipients produced by the Office of
Community Services (OCS),
Administration for Children and
Families (ACF). The information
contained in this report is used for
program planning and management. The
data establish how SSBG funding is
used for the provision of services in
each State to each of the many specific
populations of vulnerable children and
adults.
The data is also analyzed to determine
the performance of States’ in meeting
the SSBG program performance
measures developed to meet the
requirements of the Government
Performance and Results Act of 1993
(GPRA), as amended by the GPRA
Modernization Act of 2010.1 GPRA
requires all Federal agencies to develop
measurable performance goals.
The SSBG program currently has an
administrative costs efficiency measure
which is intended to decrease the
percentage of SSBG funds identified as
administrative costs in the postexpenditure reports.2 The SSBG
program is also implementing a new
1 Public
Law 11–352; 31 U.S.C. 1115(b)(10).
Department of Health and Human Services,
Administration for Children and Families, Office of
Community Services. (2007, June). Implementing a
new performance measure to enhance efficiency
(Information Memorandum Transmittal No. 04–
2007). Available from https://archive.acf.hhs.gov/
programs/ocs/ssbg/procedures/ssbg_im_04_
2007.html.
2 U.S.
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 105 (Monday, June 2, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31336-31338]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-12664]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
[Document Identifiers: CMS-10340 and CMS-10380]
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request
AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is
announcing an opportunity for the public to comment on CMS' intention
to collect information from the public. Under the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995 (the PRA), federal agencies are required to publish notice
in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of
information (including each proposed extension or reinstatement of an
existing collection of information) and to allow 60 days for public
comment on the proposed action. Interested persons are invited to send
comments regarding our burden estimates 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.
DATES: Comments must be received by August 1, 2014:
[[Page 31337]]
ADDRESSES: When commenting, please reference the document identifier or
OMB control number (OCN). To be assured consideration, comments and
recommendations must be submitted in any one of the following ways:
1. Electronically. You may send 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) that are 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.
To obtain copies of a supporting statement and any related forms
for the proposed collection(s) summarized in this notice, you may make
your request using one of following:
1. Access CMS' Web site address at https://www.cms.hhs.gov/PaperworkReductionActof1995.
2. Email your request, including your address, phone number, OMB
number, and CMS document identifier, to Paperwork@cms.hhs.gov.
3. Call the Reports Clearance Office at (410) 786-1326.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Reports Clearance Office at (410) 786-
1326.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Contents
This notice sets out a summary of the use and burden associated
with the following information collections. More detailed information
can be found in each collection's supporting statement and associated
materials (see ADDRESSES).
CMS-10340 Collection of Encounter Data From Medicare Advantage
Organizations, Section 1876 Cost HMOS/CMPS, Section 1833 Health Care
Prepayment Plans (HCPPS), and Pace Organizations
CMS-10380 Reporting Requirements for Grants to States for Rate Review
Cycle I, Cycle II, Cycle III, and Cycle IV and Effective Rate Review
Program
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520),
federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or
sponsor. The term ``collection of information'' is defined in 44 U.S.C.
3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c) and includes agency requests or
requirements that members of the public submit reports, keep records,
or provide information to a third party. Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the
PRA requires federal agencies to publish a 60-day notice in the Federal
Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including
each proposed extension or reinstatement of an existing collection of
information, before submitting the collection to OMB for approval. To
comply with this requirement, CMS is publishing this notice.
Information Collection
1. Type of Information Collection Request: Extension of a currently
approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Collection of
Encounter Data from Medicare Advantage Organizations, Section 1876 Cost
HMOS/CMPS, Section 1833 Health Care Prepayment Plans (HCPPS), and Pace
Organizations; Use: CMS collects encounter data or data on each item or
service delivered to enrollees of Medicare Advantage (MA) plans offered
by MA organizations. MA organizations currently obtain this data from
providers. CMS collects this information using standard transaction
forms and code sets. CMS will use the data for determining risk
adjustment factors for payment, updating the risk adjustment model,
calculating Medicare DSH percentages, Medicare coverage purposes, and
quality review and improvement activities. The data is also used to
verify the accuracy and validity of the costs claimed on cost reports.
For PACE organizations, encounter data would serve the same purpose it
does related to the MA program and would be submitted in a similar
manner. Form Number: CMS-10340 (OCN: 0938-1152); Frequency: Weekly;
Affected Public: Private sector (business or other for-profits); Number
of Respondents: 683; Total Annual Responses: 516,493,635; Total Annual
Hours: 34,433 (For policy questions regarding this collection contact
Michael Massimini at 410-786-1566).
2. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently
approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Reporting
Requirements for Grants to States for Rate Review Cycle I, Cycle II,
Cycle III, and Cycle IV and Effective Rate Review Program; Use: Under
the section 1003 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) (section 2794 of the
Public Health Service Act), the Secretary, in conjunction with the
states and territories, is required to establish a process for the
annual review, beginning with the 2010 plan year, of unreasonable
increases in premiums for health insurance coverage. Section 2794(c)
requires the Secretary to establish the Rate Review Grant Program to
assist states to implement this provision. In addition, section 2794(c)
requires the Rate Review Grant Program to assist states in the
establishment and enhancement of ``Data Centers'' that collect,
analyze, and disseminate health care pricing data to the public.
Concurrent with this information collection request, HHS released
Cycle IV of the Rate Review Grants, ``Grants to States to Support
Health Insurance Rate Review and Increase Transparency in the Pricing
of Medical Services.'' The purpose of Cycle IV of the Rate Review Grant
Program is to continue the rate review successes of Cycles I, II, and
III, as well as to provide greater support to Data Centers, thereby
enhancing medical pricing transparency. States and territories that
apply for funds are required to complete the grant application. States
and territories that are awarded funds under this funding opportunity
are required to provide the Secretary with rate review data, four
quarterly reports, and one annual report per year until the end of the
grant period detailing the state's progression towards a more
comprehensive and effective rate review process. A final report is due
at the end of the grant period. This information collection is required
for effective monitoring of grantees and to fulfill statutory
requirements under section 2794(b)(1)(A) of the ACA that requires
grantees, as a condition of receiving a grant authorized under section
2794(c), to report to the Secretary information about premium
increases.
On May 23, 2011, CMS published a final rule with comment period (76
FR 29964) to implement the annual review of unreasonable increases in
premiums for health insurance coverage called for by section 2794.
Under the regulation, if CMS determines that a state has an Effective
Rate Review Program in a given market, using the criteria set forth in
the rule, CMS will adopt that state's determinations regarding whether
rate increases in that market are unreasonable, provided that the state
reports its final determinations to CMS and explains the bases of its
determinations. The final rule titled ``Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act; Health Insurance Market Rules; Rate Review'' (78
FR 13406, February 27, 2013) amends the standards under
[[Page 31338]]
the Effective Rate Review Program. Currently, CMS relies on publicly
available information and annual calls with individual states to obtain
the information needed to evaluate whether a state has begun to or
continues to satisfy the Effective Rate Review Program criteria. CMS is
proposing to instead collect the information in writing from all states
that would like to request effective status. Form Number: CMS-10380
(OCN: 0938-1121); Frequency: Annually and On occasion; Affected Public:
Public Sector and State and Territory Governments; Number of
Respondents: 50; Total Annual Responses: 553; Total Annual Hours:
20,951. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Susie
Lorden at 301-492-4162.)
Dated: May 28, 2014.
Martique Jones,
Deputy Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic
Operations and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2014-12664 Filed 5-30-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P