[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 37 (Friday, February 24, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9559-9560]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-1768]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-10182]


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 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. CMS does not have sufficient time to complete the 
normal PRA clearance process. Section 1860D-1 of the Medicare 
Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) and 
implementing regulations at 42 CFR 423.56(c) and (d) requires that all 
entities provide a disclosure of creditable coverage status to all 
Medicare Part D eligible individuals. The normal PRA clearance process 
would result in violating this statute which would result in public 
harm to enrolled Medicare prescription drug beneficiaries.

[[Page 9560]]

    1. Type of Information Collection Request: New Collection; Title of 
Information Collection: Model Creditable Coverage Disclosure Notices; 
Use: Section 1860D-1 of the MMA requires entities that offer 
prescription drug benefits under any of the types of coverage described 
in 42 CFR 423.56(b) to provide a disclosure of creditable coverage 
status to all Medicare Part D eligible individuals covered under the 
entity's plan. These disclosure notices must be provided to Part D 
eligible individuals, at a minimum, at the following times: (1) Prior 
to an individual's initial enrollment period for Part D, (2) prior to 
the effective date of enrollment in the entity's coverage, and upon any 
change in creditable status; (3) prior to the commencement of the Part 
D Annual Coordinated Election Period (ACEP) which begins on November 15 
of each year, and (4) upon request by the individual. Disclosure of 
whether prescription drug coverage is creditable provides Medicare 
eligible individuals with important information relating to their 
Medicare Part D enrollment.
    Form Number: CMS-10182 (OMB: 0938-New);
    Frequency: Recordkeeping, Third party disclosure and Reporting: On 
occasion, Annually, and Other-As requested;
    Affected Public: Individuals or Households, Business or other for-
profit, Not-for-profit institutions and Federal, State, Local or Tribal 
Government;
    Number of Respondents: 450,160;
    Total Annual Responses: 1,225,173;
    Total Annual Hours: 522,204.
    CMS is requesting OMB review and approval of these collections by 
March 29, 2006, with a 180-day approval period. Written comments and 
recommendations will be considered from the public if received by the 
individuals designated below by March 17, 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 to the 
designees referenced below by March 17, 2006:

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: Bonnie L Harkless,

     and,

OMB Human Resources and Housing Branch, Attention: Carolyn Lovett, New 
Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503.

    Dated: February 15, 2006.
Michelle Shortt,
Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic Operations 
and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. 06-1768 Filed 2-23-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P