[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 242 (Thursday, December 17, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69637-69638]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-33426]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration
[Document Identifier: HCFA-R-205 & HCFA-R-206]


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

AGENCY: Health Care Financing Administration, HHS.
    In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Health Care Financing 
Administration (HCFA), 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 
collections 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. This is necessary to ensure compliance with section 111 of 
HIPAA necessary to implement congressional intent with respect to 
guaranteeing availability of individual health insurance coverage to 
certain individuals with prior group coverage. We cannot reasonably 
comply with the normal clearance procedures because public harm is 
likely to result because eligible individuals will not receive the 
health insurance protections under the statute.
    HCFA is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by 
12/31/98, with a 180-day approval period. Written comments and 
recommendations will be accepted from the public if received by the 
individuals designated below by 12/29/98. During this 180-day period, 
we will publish a separate Federal Register notice announcing the 
initiation of an extensive 60-day agency review and public comment 
period on these requirements. We will submit the requirements for OMB 
review and an extension of this emergency approval.
    (1) Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently 
approved collection;
    Title of Information Collection: Information Collection 
Requirements Referenced in HIPAA for the Individual Market and 
Supporting Regulations in 45 CFR Section 148;
    Form No.: HCFA-R-205 (OMB# 0938-0703);
    Use: These information collection requirements help ensure access 
to the individual insurance market for certain individuals and allows 
the States to implement their own program to meet the HIPAA 
requirements for access to the individual market. The information 
collection requirements outlined in this document are necessary for 
issuers and States to ensure individuals receive protection under 
section 111 of HIPAA.
    Frequency: On occasion;
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, Individuals or 
Households, Not-for-profit institutions, Federal Government, and State, 
Local or Tribal Government;
    Number of Respondents: 1,365;
    Total Annual Responses: 3,000,000;
    Total Annual Hours: 670,000.

    (2) Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently 
approved collection;
    Title of Information Collection: Information Collection 
Requirements Referenced in HIPAA for the Group Market and Supporting 
Regulations in 45 CFR Section 146;
    Form No.: HCFA-R-206 (OMB# 0938-0702);
    Use: This regulation and related information collection 
requirements will ensure that group health plans provide individuals 
with documentation necessary to demonstrate prior creditable coverage, 
and the group health plans notify individuals of their special 
enrollment rights in the group health insurance market.
    Frequency: On occasion;
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, Individuals or 
Households, Not-for-profit institutions, Federal Government, and State, 
Local or Tribal Government;
    Number of Respondents: 2,400;
    Total Annual Responses: 43,268,400;
    Total Annual Hours: 2,561,200.
    To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms 
for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access HCFA's 
Web Site address at http://www.hcfa.gov/regs/prdact95.htm, or E-mail 
your request, including your address, phone number, to 
P[email protected], or call the Reports Clearance Office on (410) 786-
1326.
    Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the 
burden or any other aspect of these collections of Information 
requirements. However, as noted above, comments on these Information 
collection and recordkeeping requirements must be mailed and/or faxed 
to the designees referenced below, by 12/29/98:

Health Care Financing Administration, Office of Information Services, 
Security and Standards Group, Division of HCFA Enterprise Standards, 
Attention: Dawn Willinghan, Room N2-14-26, 7500 Security Boulevard, 
Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850

and
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and 
Budget, Room 10235, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 
20503, Fax Number: (202) 395-6974 or (202) 395-5167, Attn: Allison 
Herron Eydt, HCFA Desk Officer.


[[Page 69638]]


    Dated: December 7, 1998.
John P. Burke III,
HCFA Reports Clearance Officer, HCFA Office of Information Services 
Security and Standards Group, Dvision of HCFA Enterprise Standards.
[FR Doc. 98-33426 Filed 12-16-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-03-P