[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 23 (Friday, February 3, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5850-5851]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-973]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-10180]


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

[[Page 5851]]

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 of an unanticipated event. Due to the CMS 
mandatory deadlines set forth by OMB for Agencies to have full 
disclosure financial statements prepared and independently audited, the 
CMS requests an emergency clearance process based on 5 CFR 
1320.13(a)(2)(ii).
    The approval of this information collection process is essential in 
order to comply with Section 3515 of the Chief Financial Officers (CFO) 
Act that requires government agencies to produce auditable financial 
statements in accordance with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
guidelines on form and content. The Government Management and Reform 
Act of 1994 requires all offices, bureaus and associated activities of 
the 24 CFO Act agencies to be covered in an agency-wide, audited 
financial statement. CMS fulfills its mission through its contractors 
and the States. These entities are the primary source of information 
for the financial statements. Collection of State Children's Health 
Insurance Program (SCHIP) data and the calculation of the SCHIP 
Incurred But Not Reported (IBNR) estimate are pertinent to CMS' 
financial audit. The CFO auditors have reported the lack of an estimate 
for SCHIP IBNR payables and receivables as a reportable condition in 
the FY 2005 audit of CMS' financial statements.
    1. Type of Information Collection Request: New collection; Title of 
Information Collection: State Children's Health Insurance Program 
(SCHIP) Report on Payables and Receivables; Use: Collection of SCHIP 
data and the calculation of the SCHIP Incurred But Not Reported (IBNR) 
estimate are pertinent to CMS' financial audit. The CFO auditors have 
reported the lack of an estimate for SCHIP IBNR payables and 
receivables as a reportable condition in the FY 2005 audit of CMS's 
financial statements. It is essential that CMS collect the necessary 
data from State agencies in FY 2006, so that CMS continues to receive 
an unqualified audit opinion on its financial statements. Program 
expenditures for the SCHIP have increased since its inception; as such, 
SCHIP receivables and payables may materially impact the financial 
statements. The SCHIP Report on Payables and Receivables will provide 
the information needed to calculate the SCHIP IBNR.; Form Number: CMS-
10180 (OMB: 0938-NEW); Frequency: Reporting--Annually; 
Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal governments; Number of 
Respondents: 56; Total Annual Responses: 56; Total Annual Hours: 336.
    CMS is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by 
March 20, 2006, with a 180-day approval period. Written comments and 
recommendation will be considered from the public if received by the 
individuals designated below by March 6, 2006.
    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/PaperworkReductionActof1995 
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 January 31, 2005:

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Office of Strategic 
Operations and Regulatory Affairs, Room C4-26-05, 7500 Security 
Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850, Attn: William N. Parham, III, and
OMB Human Resources and Housing Branch, Attention: Carolyn Lovett, New 
Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503.

    Dated: January 25, 2006.
Michelle Shortt,
Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic Operations 
and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. 06-973 Filed 2-2-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P