[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 70 (Thursday, April 11, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17695-17696]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-8823]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-R-228]


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

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, HHS.
    In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid 
Services (CMS) (formerly known as 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 
collection 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 the statutorily 
mandated completion date of July 1, 2002. In particular, we cannot 
reasonably comply with the normal clearance procedures because the ACR 
worksheets need to be disseminated to the plans by May 1, 2002 in order 
to allow the industry to prepare and submit the information on their 
2003 pricing packages by July 1, 2002. Historically, M + Cs plans need 
2-3 months time to plan and work with their actuaries to complete the 
worksheets. CMS is requesting OMB review and approval of this 
collection by 4/30/2002, with a 180-day approval period. Written 
comments and recommendations will be accepted from the public if 
received by the individuals designated below by 4/29/2002. 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 Collection Request: Revision of currently 
approved collection.
    Title of Information Collection: Adjusted Community Rate.
    Form No.: CMS-R-228 (OMB# 0938-0742).
    Use: Under Part C of the Social Security Act (ACT), a Medicare + 
Choice (M + C) organization is required to offer a benefit package that 
is approved and priced properly to all Medicare beneficiaries residing 
in the service area. This form is used by M + C organization to price 
its benefit packages.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Affected Public: Business or other-for-profit, Not-for-profit 
institutions and State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 700.
    Total Annual Responses: 700.
    Total Annual Hours: 66,500.
    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, access CMS'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 CMS 
document identifier, to [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 4/29/2002: Centers for Medicare 
and Medicaid Services, Office of Information Services, Security and 
Standards Group, Division of CMS Enterprise Standards, Room N2-14-26, 
7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850, Fax Number: (410) 
786-0262, Attn: Melissa Musotto, 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 Eydt, CMS Desk Officer.


[[Page 17696]]


    Dated: April 4, 2002.
John P. Burke III,
CMS Reports Clearance Officer, CMS, Office of Information Services, 
Security and Standards Group, Division of CMS Enterprise Standards.
[FR Doc. 02-8823 Filed 4-10-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-03-P