[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 125 (Wednesday, June 30, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35174-35175]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-16615]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration
[Document Identifier HCFA-R-288]


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

    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 (DHHS), 
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 of the 
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.
    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 prior to the expiration of the normal time 
limits under OMB's regulations at 5 CFR part 1320. In particular, a 
statutory deadline has been missed and public harm may occur, as the 
result of unnecessary loss of Medicare trust fund dollars.
    The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 requires the Secretary to implement 
up to seven competitive pricing demonstrations. Advisory committees, 
authorized under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), have been 
responsible for recommending the design of the demonstration, the sites 
for the demonstrations, and the manner in which the demonstrations are 
to be implemented. As such, this information collection was developed 
under the direction of the two committees and is intended for the 
Kansas City competitive pricing demonstration since its design is 
final.
    Congress directed HCFA to implement the competitive pricing 
demonstration through the use of two FACA-compliant advisory committees 
composed of health care experts. Consistent with FACA requirements, all 
advisory committee meetings were open to the public and all affected 
parties were present and able to provide input. Notice of the five 
meetings of the Competitive Pricing Advisory Committee (CPAC) and the 
four meetings of the Kansas City Area

[[Page 35175]]

Advisory Committee were published in the Federal Register.
    Throughout the planning process for this demonstration which began 
in May 1998, all entities impacted by the demonstration including 
health plans, providers, employers and beneficiaries have been educated 
on the types of specific information required in the bid solicitation 
package. In response, written comments and recommendations have been 
received from the public on all aspects of the demonstration design and 
implementation during our Federal Advisory Committee meetings. This 
information collection package could not be prepared until several 
specific decisions were made by the advisory committees. These included 
the formula for determining the government contribution, the standard 
benefit package upon which plans bid, the county or counties upon which 
the bid is based, and the service included in the demonstration. Final 
decisions occurred on May 12, 1999, and, as a result, HCFA could not 
reasonably comply with the normal clearance procedures. Also, due to 
the fact that the Kansas City demonstration is scheduled to begin on 
January 1, 2000, at the direction of the CPAC, HCFA must have the 
collection approved by July 1, 1999 to allow potential bidders enough 
time to plan for, and submit their applications.
    The Bid Solicitation Package for Kansas City will be used to 
determine the government's contribution to premiums for Medicare+Choice 
plans that are participating in the Competitive Pricing Demonstration. 
HCFA will use the information to determine the higher of the weighted 
average or median of all submitted bids.
    HCFA is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection 
within 2 days of publication, with a 180-day approval period. Written 
comments and recommendations will be accepted from the public if 
received by the individual designated below, within 2 days of 
publication.
    During this 180-day period, HCFA will pursue OMB clearance of this 
collection as stipulated by 5 CFR 1320.
    Type of Information Collection Request: New Collection;
    Title of Information Collection: Medicare Competitive Pricing 
Demonstration Bid Solicitation Package for Kansas City;
    Form No.: HCFA-R-0288;
    Use: This information collection ``Medicare Competitive Pricing 
Demonstration Bid Solicitation Package for Kansas City'' will be used 
to determine the government's contribution to premiums for 
Medicare+Choice plans that are participating in the Competitive Pricing 
Demonstration. HCFA will use the information to determine the higher of 
the weighted average or median of all submitted bids;
    Frequency: One time;
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit;
    Number of Respondents: 9;
    Total Annual Responses: 9;
    Total Annual Hours: 360.
    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, OMB number, and 
HCFA document identifier, 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 record keeping requirements must be mailed and/or faxed 
to the designee referenced below within 2 days of publication:

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) 786-0262 Attn: John Burke HCFA-R-0288
      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: June 22, 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. 99-16615 Filed 6-29-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-03-P