[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 106 (Friday, June 3, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32631-32632]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-11178]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-10156]


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

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & 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 & 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. We cannot reasonably comply with the normal 
clearance procedures because the normal procedures are likely to cause 
a statutory deadline to be missed. It is critical that the Medicare 
Retiree Drug Subsidy (RDS) applications be available to plan sponsors 
on August 1, 2005 in order for there to be enough time for the RDS 
Center to process the applications.
    Under Section 1860D-22 of the Social Security Act, added by the 
Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 
(MMA) and implementing regulations at 42 CFR 423.880 plan sponsors 
(employers, unions etc.) who offer prescription drug coverage to their 
qualified covered retirees are eligible to receive a 28% tax-free 
subsidy for allowable drug costs. Plan sponsors must submit a complete 
application to CMS in order to be considered for the RDS program.
    CMS is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by 
July 4, 2005, with a 180-day approval period. Written comments and 
recommendations will be accepted from the public if received by the 
individuals designated below by July 3, 2005.
    Type of Information Collection Request: New Collection.
    Title of Information Collection: Retiree Drug Subsidy (RDS) 
Application and Instructions.
    Use: Under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and 
Modernization Act (MMA) of 2003 and implementing regulations at 42 CFR 
Subpart R plan sponsors (employers, unions) who offer prescription drug 
coverage to their qualified covered retirees are eligible to receive a 
28% tax-free subsidy for allowable drug costs. In order to qualify, 
plan sponsors must submit a complete application to CMS with a list of 
retirees for whom it intends to collect the subsidy.
    Form Number: CMS-10156 (OMB: 0938-NEW).
    Frequency: Quarterly, Monthly, Annually.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, Not-for-profit 
institutions, Federal Government, and State, Local or Tribal 
Government.
    Number of Respondents: 50,000.
    Total Annual Responses: 50,000.
    Total Annual Hours: 2,025,000.
    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 July 3, 2005:
    Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Office of Strategic 
Operations and Regulatory Affairs, Room C5-13-27, 7500 Security 
Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850. Fax Number: (410) 786-

[[Page 32632]]

0262. Attn: Melissa Musotto, CMS-10156;
and,
OMB Human Resources and Housing Branch, Attention: Christopher Martin, 
New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503.

    Dated: June 1, 2005.
Jimmy Wickliffe,
CMS Paperwork Reduction Act Reports Clearance Officer, Office of 
Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs, Regulations Development 
Group.
[FR Doc. 05-11178 Filed 6-2-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-03-P