[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 171 (Friday, September 4, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 45861]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-21423]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-10285]


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: Request for 
Expedited Review of Denial of Premium Assistance; Use: The American 
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides for premium assistance 
and expanded eligibility for health benefits under both the 
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986, commonly called 
COBRA, and comparable State continuation coverage programs. This 
premium assistance is not paid directly to the covered employee or the 
qualified beneficiary, but instead is in the form of a tax credit for 
the health plan, the employer, or the insurer. ``Assistance eligible 
individuals'' pay only 35% of their continuation coverage premiums to 
the plan and the remaining 65% is paid through the tax credit.
    If an individual requests treatment as an assistance eligible 
individual and the employee's group health plan, employer, or insurer 
denies him or her the reduced premium assistance, the Secretary of 
Health and Human Services must provide for expedited review of the 
denial upon application to the Secretary in the form and manner the 
Secretary provides. The Secretary is required to make a determination 
within 15 business days after receipt of an individual's application 
for review.
    The Request for Review If You Have Been Denied Premium Assistance 
(the ``application'') is the form that will be used by individuals to 
file their expedited review appeals. Each individual must complete all 
information requested on the application in order for CMS to begin 
reviewing his or her case. An application cannot be reviewed if 
sufficient information is not provided. Refer to the supporting 
document ``Crosswalk of Changes Between Request for Expedited Review of 
Denial of Premium Assistance (4/09) and Request for Review if You Have 
Been Denied Premium Assistance (6/09)'' for a list of changes: Form 
Number: CMS-10285 (OMB: 0938-1062); Frequency: Reporting--
Once; Affected Public: Individuals and households; Number of 
Respondents: 12,000; Total Annual Responses: 12,000; Total Annual 
Hours: 12,000. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact 
Jim Mayhew at 410-786-9244. For all other issues call 410-786-1326.)
    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.
    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 October 5, 2009: 
OMB, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: CMS Desk 
Officer, Fax Number: (202) 395-6974, E-mail: [email protected].

    Dated: August 28, 2009.
Michelle Shortt,
Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic Operations 
and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. E9-21423 Filed 9-3-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P