[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 172 (Thursday, September 5, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56845-56846]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-22672]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-10067]


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

AGENCY: Center 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), 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

[[Page 56846]]

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 an initiative of the Administration. We cannot 
reasonably comply with the normal clearance procedures because of an 
unanticipated event and possible public harm.
    It is widely acknowledged that the elderly are going without 
critical pharmaceutical therapy and that there are morbidity and 
mortality consequences. The Administration has developed a proposal for 
paying for prescriptions for low-income elderly Medicaid recipients. 
This proposal will allow States to run 1115 demonstration projects 
specifically for a drug benefit for the elderly.
    CMS has recently completed work on an innovative, electronic 
approach for easing the burden of States in applying for participation 
in the Pharmacy Plus demonstration initiative. We are seeking approval 
of the forms that would be used to collect data from applicants under 
this initiative.
    The initiative will greatly reduce the time period required for 
States to develop and apply for demonstration authority; in addition 
the initiative is intended to expedite the review and approval time 
required by CMS. The initiative specifies the requirements of States to 
participate in the initiative--if the criteria are met by the State 
then deliberation by CMS on the application should be minimal. The 
result will be an expeditious approval, implementation and operation of 
demonstration programs that will provide prescription coverage to 
lessen the morbidity and mortality that is occurring. Without approval 
of these forms on an emergency basis, millions of Seniors will continue 
to under-utilize pharmaceutical therapy for chronic and acute 
morbidity. The use of the forms will expedite prescription coverage and 
utilization of important medicines.
    CMS is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by 
September 17, 2002 with a 180-day approval period. Written comments and 
recommendation will be accepted from the public if received by the 
individuals designated below by September 16, 2002.
    Type of Information Collection Request: New collection; Title of 
Information Collection: Pharmacy Plus Template for Low Income Seniors 
under Medicaid; Form No.: CMS-10067 (OMB 0938-XXXX); Use: The 
template for the Pharmacy Plus program for low income seniors under 
Medicaid will enable states to apply, via a standard format, to provide 
a drug benefit to elderly recipients; use of this format will expedite 
the process of obtaining CMS review and approval of an application; 
Frequency: Other: 3 years after initial submission for the 1915 (c) 
waiver; 5 years after initial submission for the 1115 demonstration; 
Affected Public: State Government; Number of Respondents: 51; Total 
Annual Responses: 25; Total Annual Hours: 115.
    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' 
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 September 16, 2002.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Office of Strategic 
Operations and Regulatory Affairs, Division of Regulations Development 
and Issuances, Room N2-14-26, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 
21244-1850, Fax Number: (410) 786-0262, Attn: Julie Brown, CMS-10067
and,

Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and 
Budget, Room 10235, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 
20503, Attn.: Brenda Aguilar, CMS Desk Officer.

    Dated: August 28, 2002.
John P. Burke, III,
Paperwork Reduction Act Team Leader, CMS Reports Clearance Officer, 
Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs, Division of 
Regulations Development and Issuances.
[FR Doc. 02-22672 Filed 9-3-02; 10:47 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-03-P