[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 8 (Friday, January 11, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2044-2045]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-154]


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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: Submission for OMB 
Review; 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), 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 function; (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. 
Refer to the ``List of Changes for the CY2009-PBP and Formulary'' 
document for a summary list of changes. 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: CY2009 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 list 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 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.

[[Page 2045]]

    To be assured consideration, comments and recommendations for the 
proposed information collections must be received by the OMB desk 
officer at the address below, no later than 5 p.m. on February 11, 
2008.
    OMB Human Resources and Housing Branch, Attention: Carolyn Lovett, 
New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, Fax 
Number: (202) 395-6974.

    Dated: January 2, 2008.
Michelle Shortt,
Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic Operations 
and Regulatory Affairs.
 [FR Doc. E8-154 Filed 1-10-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P