2018-06082. Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, HHS.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is announcing an opportunity for the public to comment on CMS' intention to collect information from the public. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension or reinstatement of an existing collection of information, and to allow a second opportunity for public comment on the notice. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including the necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the agency's functions, the accuracy of the estimated burden, ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected, and the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology to minimize the information collection burden.

DATES:

Comments on the collection(s) of information must be received by the OMB desk officer by April 26, 2018.

ADDRESSES:

When commenting on the proposed information collections, please reference the document identifier or OMB control number. To be assured consideration, comments and recommendations must be received by the OMB desk officer via one of the following transmissions: OMB, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: CMS Desk Officer, Fax Number: [phone] OR, Email: [e-mail].

To obtain copies of a supporting statement and any related forms for the proposed collection(s) summarized in this notice, you may make your request using one of following:

1. Access CMS' website address at website address at https://www.cms.gov/​Regulations-and-Guidance/​Legislation/​PaperworkReductionActof1995/​PRA-Listing.html.

1. Email your request, including your address, phone number, OMB number, and CMS document identifier, to [e-mail].

2. Call the Reports Clearance Office at [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Reports Clearance Office at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. The term “collection of information” is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c) and includes agency requests or requirements that members of the public submit reports, keep records, or provide information to a third party. Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)) requires federal agencies to publish a 30-day notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension or reinstatement of an existing collection of information, before submitting the collection to OMB for approval. To comply with this requirement, CMS is publishing this notice that summarizes the following proposed collection(s) of information for public comment:

1. Type of Information Collection Request: Extension of a currently approved collection without change; Title of Information Collection: Hospice Quality Reporting Program; Use: The Hospice Item Set (HIS) is a standardized, patient-level data collection tool developed specifically for use by hospices. It is currently used for the collection of quality measure data pertaining to the Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP). Since April 1, 2017, hospices have been using the HIS V2.00.0 which specifies the collection of data items that support eight National Quality Forum (NQF) endorsed Quality Measures (QMs) and an additional measure pair for hospice. All Medicare-certified hospice providers are required to submit HIS admission and discharge records to CMS for each patient admission and discharge. The HIS contains data elements that are used by the CMS to calculate these measures and also allows CMS to collect quality data from hospices in compliance with Section 3004 of the Affordable Care Act. Form Number: CMS-10390 (OMB control number: 0938-1153); Frequency: On Occasion; Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal Governments, Private Sector (not-for-profit institutions); individuals or households; Number of Respondents: 4,259; Total Annual Responses: 4,259; Total Annual Hours: 686,630. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Cindy Massuda at [phone].)

2. Type of Information Collection Request: New collection (Request for a new OMB control number); Title of Information Collection: Limited Wraparound Coverage Reporting; Use: The Department of Treasury, the Department of Labor and the Department of Health and Human Services published final regulations on March 18, 2015 (80 FR 13995), amending the regulations regarding excepted benefits under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Internal Revenue Code, and the Public Health Service Act to specify requirements for limited wraparound coverage to qualify as an excepted benefit. The final regulations include requirements that limited wraparound coverage must satisfy in order to qualify as excepted benefits. One of them is a reporting requirement, for group health plans and group health insurance issuers, as well as group health plan sponsors.

A self-insured group health plan, or a health insurance issuer offering or proposing to offer Multi-State Plan wraparound coverage, is required to report to OPM information reasonably required to determine whether the plan or issuer qualifies to offer such coverage or complies with the applicable requirements. In addition, the plan sponsor of any group health plan offering any type of limited wraparound coverage is required to report to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in a form and manner specified in guidance by the Secretary of HHS.

We seek comment on the content of the proposed collection form. We also seek comment on the impact that an extension of the limited wraparound pilot program would have on the number of employers/sponsors participating in the limited wraparound pilot program. In addition, if HHS extends the limited wraparound pilot program, we seek comment on when the limited wraparound pilot program should sunset, or whether the limited wraparound pilot program should be made permanent. Form Number: CMS-10571 (OMB control number: 0938-NEW); Frequency: Once; Affected Public: Private Sector; Number of Respondents: 8; Total Annual Responses: 8; Total Annual Hours: 24. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Usree Bandyopadhyay at 410-786-6650.)

Dated: March 22, 2018.

William N. Parham, III,

Director, Paperwork Reduction Staff, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs.