[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 42 (Friday, March 3, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10976-10977]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-1921]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-10185]


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

AGENCY: Centers 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. CMS does not have sufficient time to complete the 
normal PRA clearance process. We request this Paperwork Reduction Act 
clearance under an emergency approval process to meet the statutorily-
mandated reporting requirement under the Medicare Prescription Drug, 
Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) and to accommodate the 
operational schedule for the bidding process for prospective and 
renewing Part D Sponsors. In order to uphold the MMA reporting 
requirement in conjunction with the bid deadline for contract year 
2007, key preceding events must occur. If these events do not occur, 
prospective and renewing Part D Sponsors will be unable to adjust their 
bids to reflect compliance with these reporting requirements. 
Inaccuracies in Part D bids will cause many adverse consequences to 
Part D Sponsors, their enrolled Medicare beneficiaries, and CMS.
    1. Type of Information Collection Request: New Collection; Title of 
Information Collection: Medicare Part D Reporting Requirements; Use: 
Data collected via Medicare Part D Reporting Requirements will be an 
integral resource for oversight, monitoring, compliance and auditing 
activities necessary to ensure quality provision of the Medicare 
Prescription Drug Benefit to beneficiaries. Data will be validated, 
analyzed, and utilized for trend reporting by CMS. If outliers or other 
data anomalies are detected, CMS will work in collaboration with other 
CMS divisions for follow-up and resolution. Form Number: CMS-10185 (OMB 
0938-New); Frequency: Reporting: Quarterly and Semi-annually; 
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Number of Respondents: 
3,203; Total Annual Responses: 12,812; Total Annual Hours: 102,496.
    CMS is requesting OMB review and approval of these collections by 
April 14, 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 April 3, 2006.
    To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms 
for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access CMS' 
Web site

[[Page 10977]]

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 April 14, 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 23, 2006.
Michelle Shortt,
Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic Operations 
and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. 06-1921 Filed 3-2-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P