[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 222 (Friday, November 17, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66954-66955]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-19428]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-10137]


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

AGENCY: Centers 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

[[Page 66955]]

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 use of normal clearance procedures is 
reasonably likely to cause a statutory deadline to be missed.
    For the 2008 contract year, CMS is taking several steps to reduce 
the person-hours necessary to complete the Part D solicitations. These 
steps include automating the majority of the Part D and Employer Group 
Waiver Plan solicitations within CMS' Health Plan Management System 
(HPMS), incorporating the Pharmacy Access Submission document into the 
underlying Part D solicitation, and streamlining key information that 
was previously requested by attachments into attestations in time to 
qualify applicants prior to the first Monday in June of 2006.
    1. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently 
approved collection.
    Title of Information Collection: Application for Prescription Drug 
Plans (PDP); Application for Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MA-
PD); Application for Cost Plans to Offer Qualified Prescription Drug 
Coverage; Application for Employer Group Waiver Plans to Offer 
Prescription Drug Coverage; Service Area Expansion Application for 
Prescription Drug Coverage.
    Form Number: CMS-10137 (OMB: 0938-0936).
    Use: Collection of this information is mandated in Part D of the 
Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003. 
Coverage for the prescription drug benefit is provided through 
prescription drug plans (PDP's) that offer drug-only coverage, or 
through Medicare Advantage organizations that offer integrated 
prescription drug and health care coverage. PDPs must offer a basic 
drug benefit. Medicare Advantage Coordinated Care Plans must offer 
either a basic benefit or may offer broader coverage for no additional 
cost. Medicare Advantage Private Fee for Service Plans may choose to 
offer a Part D benefit. Cost Plans that are regulated under Section 
1876 of the Social Security Act, and Employer Group Plans may also 
provide a Part D benefit. If any of the contracting organizations meet 
basic requirements, they may also offer supplemental benefits through 
enhanced alternative coverage for an additional premium. This 
collection will be used by CMS to: (1) Insure that applicants meet CMS 
requirements and (2) support the determination of contract awards.
    Frequency: Reporting--Once.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit and Not-for-profit 
institutions
    Number of Respondents: 216.
    Total Annual Responses: 216.
    Total Annual Hours: 5,316.
    CMS is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by 
December 15, 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 December 1, 2006.
    To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms 
for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access CMS's 
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 December 1, 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, Fax Number: (202) 395-6974.

    November 9, 2006.
Michelle Shortt,
Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic Operations 
and Regulatory Affairs.
 [FR Doc. E6-19428 Filed 11-16-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P