E6-2301. 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: Extension of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Prepaid Health Plan Cost Report.; Use: Health Maintenance Organizations and Competitive Medical Plans (HMO/CMPs) contracting with the Secretary under Section 1876 of the Social Security Act are required to submit a budget and enrollment forecast, four quarterly reports and a final certified cost report. Health Care Prepayment Plans (HCPPs) contracting with the Secretary under Section 1833 of the Social Security Act are required to submit a budget and enrollment forecast, mid-year report, and final cost report. An HMO/CMP is a health care delivery system that furnishes directly or arranges for the delivery of the full spectrum of health services to an enrolled population. An HCPP is a health care delivery system that furnishes directly or arranges for the delivery of certain physician and diagnostics services up to the full spectrum of non-provider Part B health services to an enrolled population. These reports will be used to establish the reasonable cost of delivering covered services furnished to Medicare enrollees by an HMO/CMP or HCPP.; Form Numbers: CMS-276 (OMB#: 0938-0165); Frequency: Recordkeeping, Reporting—Quarterly and Annually; Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Number of Respondents: 45; Total Annual Responses: 225; Total Annual Hours: 7,860.

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 [e-mail], or call the Reports Clearance Office on [phone].

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 April 18, 2006.

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: February 8, 2006.

Michelle Shortt,

Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs.