[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 82 (Thursday, April 29, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23087-23088]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-10740]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration
[Document Identifier: HCFA-R-0280]


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 prevent public harm. Last year, the 
volatile nature of the Medicare market created a critical need for 
plan-specific Medigap data. The unanticipated event of numerous health 
plans terminating their Medicare contract surprised everyone. The plan-
specific Medigap information was, and continues to be, essential for 
beneficiaries who are in health plans that terminate their Medicare 
contract. Last year, when the volume of health plan terminations 
occurred, no one had national plan-specific Medigap data to provide to 
beneficiaries affected by the mass terminations. By providing this 
plan-specific Medigap data, beneficiaries will be able to make a more 
realistic comparison of their costs and benefits under each option 
available to them. This will prevent harm to the beneficiaries caught 
in a difficult situation with a relatively short period of time to make 
an informed decision. We cannot reasonably comply with the normal 
clearance procedures because we must have the necessary data collected 
and able to be published in July, when Medicare health plan 
terminations are announced.
    HCFA is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection 
within 11 working days, with a 180-day approval period. Written 
comments and recommendations will be accepted from the public if 
received by the individuals designated below within 10 working days. 
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.
    Type of Information Request: New collection.
    Title of Information Collection: Medigap Compare.
    HCFA Form Number: HCFA-R-0280 (OMB approval #: 0938-NEW).
    Use: HCFA will collect plan-specific Medigap data, including but 
not limited to premiums charged and additional benefits offered, from 
each insurer offering Medigap plans. The data collection will occur 
electronically. The data will be provided on www.medicare.gov to assist 
beneficiaries in obtaining accurate information on all their health 
care coverage options.
    Frequency: Annually, and semi-annually if needed.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, Federal Government, 
State, Local,

[[Page 23088]]

or Tribal Government, Not-for-profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 300.
    Total Annual Responses: 450.
    Total Annual Burden Hours: 175.
    We have submitted a copy of this notice to OMB for its review of 
these information collections. A notice will be published in the 
Federal Register when approval is obtained.
    To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms 
for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, E-mail your 
request, including your address, phone number, and HCFA form number(s) 
referenced above, 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, within 10 working days:

Health Care Financing Administration, Office of Information Services, 
Security and Standards Group, Division of HCFA Enterprise Standards, 
Room N2-14-26, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850. Fax 
Number: (410) 786-1415, Attn: Louis Blank HCFA-R-280

      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

    Dated: April 21, 1999.
John P. Burke III,
HCFA Reports Clearance Officer, HCFA, Office of Information Services, 
Security and Standards Group, Division of HCFA Enterprise Standards.
[FR Doc. 99-10740 Filed 4-28-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-03-P