[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 77 (Friday, April 22, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 20916]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-8084]



[[Page 20916]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-10150]


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

AGENCY: Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
    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 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. The use of the normal clearance procedures is 
reasonably likely to cause a statutory deadline to be missed.
    The purpose of the data is to enable prospective and current 
Medicare beneficiaries to compare, learn, select and enroll in a plan 
that best meets their needs. Both stand alone prescription drug plans 
(PDPs) and Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MA-PDs) plans will be 
required to submit drug pricing and pharmacy network data to CMS. These 
data will be made publicly available to people with Medicare through 
the new Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder web tool that will be 
launched in the fall of 2005 on http://www.medicare.gov. The database 
structure will provide the flexibility to design and communicate plan 
design, formulary, and pharmacy network information to people with 
Medicare by displaying program contact and pricing information at the 
network pharmacy level.
    CMS is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by 
June 22, 2005, with a 30-day approval period. Written comments and 
recommendations will be accepted from the public if received by the 
individuals designated below by May 22, 2005.
    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.cms.hhs.gov/regulations/pra 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 May 22, 2005:
    Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Office of Strategic 
Operations and Regulatory Affairs, Room C5-13-27, 7500 Security 
Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850, Fax Number: (410) 786-0262, Attn: 
William N. Parham, III, CMS-10150; and,
    OMB Human Resources and Housing Branch, Attention: Christopher 
Martin, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 
20503.

    Dated: April 14, 2005.
Michelle Shortt,
Acting Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic 
Operations and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. 05-8084 Filed 4-21-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P