[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 236 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71176-71177]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-20665]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-10216]


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

AGENCY: Center 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

[[Page 71177]]

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 implementation 
of Public Law No: 109-171 Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) of 2005. 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 allow States to implement the following 
DRA provisions: 6036, 6041, 6042, 6043, 6044, and 6083. This emergency 
request is to ensure that statutory effective dates of the provisions 
are not missed.
    1. Type of Information Collection Request: New Collection; Title of 
Information Collection: Alternative Benefits State Plan Amendment 
Health Opportunity Accounts (HOA) Demonstration Program; Use: The DRA 
provides States with numerous flexibilities in operating their State 
Medicaid programs. For example, Section 6082 of the DRA allows up to 10 
States to operate Medicaid demonstrations to test alternative systems 
for delivering their Medicaid benefits. Under these demonstrations, 
States would have the flexibility to deliver their Medicaid benefits to 
volunteer beneficiaries through a program that is comprised of an HOA 
and a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). Under the DRA, States can 
submit a State Plan Pre-print to CMS to effectuate this change to their 
Medicaid programs. CMS will provide a State Medicaid Director letter 
providing guidance on this provision and the implementation of the DRA 
and the associated State Plan Amendment template for use by States to 
modify their Medicaid State Plans if they choose to implement this 
flexibility; Form Number: CMS-10216 (OMB: 0938-New); 
Frequency: Reporting: One-time; Affected Public: State, Local or Tribal 
Government; Number of Respondents: 56; Total Annual Responses: 10; 
Total Annual Hours: 10.
    CMS is requesting OMB review and approval of these collections by 
December 22, 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 December 18, 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 received by the 
designees referenced below by December 18, 2006:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Office of Strategic 
Operations and Regulatory Affairs, Room C4-26-05, 7500 Security 
Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850, Attn: Melissa Musotto (CMS-10216) 
and,
OMB Human Resources and Housing Branch, Attention: Katherine Astrich, 
New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503.

    Dated: November 30, 2006.
Michelle Shortt,
Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic Operations 
and Regulatory Affairs.
 [FR Doc. E6-20665 Filed 12-7-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P