[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 225 (Wednesday, November 21, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69846-69847]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-28379]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier CMS-10433]


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

[[Page 69847]]

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. Title of Information Collection: Initial Plan Data Collection to 
Support Qualified Health Plan (QHP) Certification and Other Financial 
Management and Exchange Operations; Type of Information Collection 
Request: New information collection; Use: As required by the CMS-9989-F 
(77 CFR 18310, March 27, 2012): Establishment of Exchanges and 
Qualified Health Plans; Exchange Standards for Employers (Exchange 
rule), each Exchange must assume responsibilities related to the 
certification and offering of Qualified Health Plans (QHPs). To offer 
insurance through an Exchange, a health insurance issuer must have its 
health plans certified as QHPs by the Exchange. A QHP must meet certain 
minimum certification standards, such as essential community providers, 
essential health benefits, and actuarial value. In order to meet those 
standards, the Exchange is responsible for collecting data and 
validating that QHPs meet these minimum requirements as described in 
the Exchange rule under 45 CFR 155 and 156, based on the Affordable 
Care Act, as well as other requirements determined by the Exchange. In 
addition to data collection for the certification of QHPs, the 
reinsurance and risk adjustment programs outlined by the Affordable 
Care Act, detailed in 45 CFR 153, CMS-9975-F(77 FR 17220, March 23, 
2012): Standards for Reinsurance, Risk Corridors, and Risk Adjustment, 
have general information reporting requirements that apply to non-QHPs 
outside of the Exchanges.
    The original 60-day comment period began on July 6, 2012 (77 FR 
40061). We received a number of public comments which addressed 
multiple issues. Some of the commenters were concerned with duplicate 
data collection. CMS is working with States to minimize any required 
document submission to streamline and reduce duplication, especially in 
future years. CMS has oversight and enforcement responsibilities unique 
to Exchanges that may require more than verification from a state. CMS 
has also aligned the data collection for SBCs, healthcare.gov, and EHB. 
Other commenters asked for more clarification on the data elements we 
are collection. We have included those data elements in this data 
collection. Furthermore, CMS will provide greater clarification on its 
process associated with QHP certification, essential community 
providers, and network adequacy among other QHP certification 
requirements. We have taken into consideration all of the proposed 
suggestions and have made changes to this collection of information. In 
addition, CMS is increasing the estimated burden by 21 hours.
    Form Number: CMS-10433; Frequency: Annually; Affected Public: 
States and Private Sector: Business or other for-profits and not-for-
profit institutions; Number of Respondents: 3490; Number of Responses: 
3490; Total Annual Hours: 242,190 hours in year one and 184,110 hours 
in years two and three. (For policy questions regarding the QHP 
Certification data collection, contact Gina Zdanowicz at (301) 492-
4451. For policy questions regarding risk adjustment and reinsurance 
data collection, contact Milan Shah at (301) 492-4427. 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 
Email 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 December 21, 
2012. OMB, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: CMS 
Desk Officer, Fax Number: (202) 395-6974, Email: [email protected].

    Dated: November 16, 2012.
Martique Jones,
Director, Regulations Development Group, Division B, Office of 
Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2012-28379 Filed 11-20-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P