81 FR 9860 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

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

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 38 (February 26, 2016)

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 (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 a second opportunity for public comment on the notice. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the 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.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 38 (Friday, February 26, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9860-9861]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04318]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[Document Identifiers: CMS-10407]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is 
announcing an opportunity for the public to comment on CMS' intention 
to collect

[[Page 9861]]

information from the public. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(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 a second opportunity for public comment on 
the notice. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding 
the 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.

DATES: Comments on the collection(s) of information must be received by 
the OMB desk officer by March 28, 2016.

ADDRESSES: When commenting on the proposed information collections, 
please reference the document identifier or OMB control number. To be 
assured consideration, comments and recommendations must be received by 
the OMB desk officer via one of the following transmissions: OMB, 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: CMS Desk 
Officer, Fax Number: (202) 395-5806 OR, Email: 
[email protected].
    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 http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PaperworkReductionActof1995.
    2. Email your request, including your address, phone number, OMB 
number, and CMS document identifier, to [email protected].
    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: Summary of 
Benefits and Coverage and Uniform Glossary; Use: The Affordable Care 
Act amends the Public Health Service Act (PHS Act) by adding section 
2715 ``Development and Utilization of Uniform Explanation of Coverage 
Documents and Standardized Definitions.'' This section directs the 
Secretary, in consultation with the National Association of Insurance 
Commissioners (NAIC) and a working group comprised of stakeholders, to 
develop standards for use by a group health plan and a health insurance 
issuer in compiling and providing to applicants, enrollees, and 
policyholders and certificate holders a summary of benefits and 
coverage (SBC) explanation that accurately describes the benefits and 
coverage under the applicable plan or coverage. Section 2715 also 
requires 60-days advance notice of any material modification in any of 
the terms of the plan or coverage that is not reflected in the most 
recently provided summary and the development of standards for the 
definitions of terms used in health insurance coverage.
    This information collection will ensure that approximately 90 
million consumers shopping for or enrolled in private, individually 
purchased, or non-federal governmental group health plan coverage 
receive the consumer protections of the Affordable Care Act. Employers, 
employees, and individuals will use this information to compare 
coverage options prior to selecting coverage and to understand the 
terms of, and extent of medical benefits offered by, their coverage (or 
exceptions to such coverage or benefits) once they have coverage. The 
Departments received comments in response to the ICR and they have been 
addressed in the Appendix. Form Number: CMS-10407 (OMB Control Number: 
0938-1146); Frequency: Annually; Affected Public: State, Local, or 
Tribal Governments, Private Sector; Number of Respondents: 126,544; 
Total Annual Responses: 41,154,000; Total Annual Hours: 324,853. (For 
policy questions regarding this collection contact Michelle Koltov at 
(301) 492-4225).

    Date: February 24, 2016.
William N. Parham, III,
Director, Paperwork Reduction Staff, Office of Strategic Operations and 
Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2016-04318 Filed 2-25-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4120-01-P