83 FR 43689 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

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

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 166 (August 27, 2018)

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 the necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the agency's functions, the accuracy of the estimated burden, ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected, and the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology to minimize the information collection burden.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 166 (Monday, August 27, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43689-43690]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-18523]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-10137 and CMS-10237]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, HHS.

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 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 the necessity and utility of the 
proposed information collection for the proper performance of the 
agency's functions, the accuracy of the estimated burden, ways to 
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be 
collected, and the use of automated collection techniques or other 
forms of information technology to minimize the information collection 
burden.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 26, 2018.

ADDRESSES: When commenting, please reference the document identifier or 
OMB control number. 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 
http://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' website address at https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/PaperworkReductionActof1995/PRA-Listing.html.
    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: William Parham 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-10137 Solicitation for Applications for Medicare Prescription Drug 
Plan 2020 Contracts
CMS-10237 Medicare Advantage Application--Part C and 1876 Cost Plan 
Expansion Application Regulations under 42 CFR 422 (Subpart K) & 
417.400

    Under the 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: Revision of a currently 
approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Solicitation for 
Applications for Medicare Prescription Drug Plan 2020 Contracts; Use: 
Coverage for the prescription drug benefit is provided through 
contracted prescription drug plans (PDPs) or through Medicare Advantage 
(MA) plans that offer integrated prescription drug and health care 
coverage (MA-PD plans). Cost Plans that are regulated 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 Prescription Drug Benefit Program must complete an 
application, negotiate rates, and receive final approval from CMS. 
Existing Part D Sponsors may also expand their contracted service area 
by completing the Service Area Expansion (SAE) application.
    Collection of this information is mandated in Part D of the 
Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and

[[Page 43690]]

Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) in Subpart 3. The application 
requirements are codified in Subpart K of 42 CFR 423 entitled 
``Application Procedures and Contracts with PDP Sponsors.'' The 
information will be collected under the solicitation of proposals from 
PDP, MA-PD, Cost Plan, Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly 
(PACE), and EGWP applicants. The collected information will be used by 
CMS to: (1) Ensure that applicants meet CMS requirements for offering 
Part D plans (including network adequacy, contracting requirements, and 
compliance program requirements, as described in the application), (2) 
support the determination of contract awards. Form Number: CMS-10137 
(OMB control number: 0938-0936); Frequency: Annually; Affected Public: 
Private Sector (Business or other for-profits, Not-for-Profit 
Institutions); Number of Respondents: 243; Total Annual Responses: 256; 
Total Annual Hours: 2,351.08. (For policy questions regarding this 
collection contact Arianne Spaccarelli, at 410-786-5715.)
    2. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently 
approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Medicare 
Advantage Application--Part C and 1876 Cost Plan Expansion Application 
Regulations under 42 CFR 422 (Subpart K) & 417.400; Use: The Medicare 
Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) 
Public Law 108-173 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). The MMA directed that important aspects of 
the new Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program under Part D be 
similar to and coordinated with regulations for the MA program. The MMA 
changes made managed care more accessible, efficient, and attractive to 
beneficiaries seeking options to meet their needs.
    This information collection includes the process for organizations 
wishing to provide healthcare services under MA plans. These 
organizations must complete an application annually (if required), file 
a bid, and receive final approval from CMS. The MA application process 
has two options for applicants that include (1) request for new MA 
product or (2) request for expanding the service area of an existing 
product. CMS utilizes the application process as the means to review, 
assess and determine if applicants are compliant with the current 
requirements for participation in the MA program and to make a decision 
related to contract award. This collection process is the only 
mechanism for organizations to complete the required MA application 
process. CMS will collect and review information under the solicitation 
of Part C applications for the various health plan product types 
described in the Background section above. CMS will use the information 
to determine whether the applicants meet the requirements to become an 
MA organization and are qualified to provide a particular type of MA 
plan. The application process is open to all health plans that want to 
participate in the MA program. The application is distinct and separate 
from the bid process, and CMS issues a determination on the application 
prior to bid submissions, or before the first Monday in June. Form 
Number: CMS-10137 (OMB control number: 0938-0935); Frequency: Annually; 
Affected Public: Private Sector (Business or other for-profits, Not-
for-Profit Institutions); Number of Respondents: 380; Total Annual 
Responses: 400; Total Annual Hours: 6,106. (For policy questions 
regarding this collection contact Keith Penn-Jones, at 410-786-3104.)

    Dated: August 22, 2018.
William N. Parham, III,
Director, Paperwork Reduction Staff, Office of Strategic Operations and 
Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2018-18523 Filed 8-24-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P