[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 207 (Friday, October 26, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60852-60853]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-21123]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-R-262 and CMS-10142]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Centers 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) 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.
    1. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently 
approved collection; Title of Information Collection: CY 2009 Plan 
Benefit Package (PBP) and Formulary Submission for Medicare Advantage 
(MA) Plans and Prescription Drug Plans (PDP); Use: Under the Medicare 
Modernization Act (MMA), Medicare Advantage (MA) and Prescription Drug 
Plan (PDP) organizations are required to submit plan benefit packages 
for all Medicare beneficiaries residing in their service area. The plan 
benefit package submission consists of the formulary file, Plan Benefit 
Package (PBP) software, and supporting documentation as necessary. MA 
and PDP organizations will generate a formulary to illustrate their 
list of drugs, including information on prior authorization, step 
therapy, tiering, and quantity limits. Additionally, the PBP software 
will be used to describe their organization's plan benefit packages, 
including information on premiums, cost sharing, authorization rules, 
and supplemental benefits. CMS uses the formulary and PBP data to 
review and approve the plan benefit packages proposed by each MA and 
PDP organization.
    CMS requires that MA and PDP organizations submit a completed 
formulary and PBP as part of the annual bidding process. During this 
process, organizations prepare their proposed plan benefit packages for 
the upcoming contract year and submit them to CMS for review and 
approval. Based on operational changes and policy clarifications to the 
Medicare program and continued input and feedback by the industry, CMS 
has made the necessary changes to the plan benefit package submission. 
Form Number: CMS-R-262 (OMB: 0938-0763); Frequency: Yearly; 
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit and Not-for-profit 
institutions; Number of Respondents: 475 Total Annual Responses: 
4987.5; Total Annual Hours: 11,400.
    2. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently 
approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Bid Pricing Tool 
(BPT) for Medicare Advantage (MA) Plans and Prescription Drug Plans 
(PDPs); Use: Under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and 
Modernization (MMA), Medicare Advantage organizations (MAO) and 
Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) are required to submit an actuarial 
pricing ``bid'' for each plan offered to Medicare beneficiaries. CMS 
requires that MAOs and PDPs complete the BPT as part of the annual 
bidding process. During this process, organizations prepare their 
proposed actuarial bid pricing for the upcoming contract year and 
submit them to CMS for review and approval. The purpose of the BPT is 
to collect the actuarial pricing information for each plan. The BPT 
calculates the plan's bid, enrollee premiums, and payment rates. Refer 
to ``Attachment C'' for a summary of changes. Form Number: CMS-10142 
(OMB: 0938-0944); Frequency: Yearly; Affected Public: Business 
or other for-profit and Not-for-profit institutions; Number of 
Respondents: 550 Total Annual Responses: 6,050; Total Annual Hours: 
42,350.
    To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms 
for the proposed paperwork collections

[[Page 60853]]

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.
    To be assured consideration, comments and recommendations for the 
proposed information collections must be received at the address below, 
no later than 5 p.m. on December 26, 2007:

CMS, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs, Division of 
Regulations Development--C, Attention: Bonnie L Harkless, Room C4-26-
05, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850.

    Dated: October 19, 2007.
Michelle Shortt,
Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic Operations 
and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. E7-21123 Filed 10-25-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P