2023-07473. Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Generic Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

On May 28, 2010, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) guidance related to the “generic” clearance process. Generally, this is an expedited process by which agencies may obtain OMB's approval of collection of information requests that are “usually voluntary, low-burden, and uncontroversial collections,” do not raise any substantive or policy issues, and do not require policy or methodological review. The process requires the submission of an overarching plan that defines the scope of the individual collections that would fall under its umbrella. On October 23, 2011, OMB approved our initial request to use the generic clearance process under control number 0938–1148 (CMS–10398). It was last approved on April 26, 2021, via the standard PRA process which included the publication of 60- and 30-day Federal Register notices. The scope of the April 2021 umbrella accounts for Medicaid and CHIP State plan amendments, waivers, demonstrations, and reporting. This Federal Register notice seeks public comment on one or more of our collection of information requests that we believe are generic and fall within the scope of the umbrella. Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding our burden estimates 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 must be received by April 24, 2023.

ADDRESSES:

When commenting, please reference the applicable form number (see below) and the OMB control number (0938–1148). To be assured consideration, comments and recommendations must be submitted in any one of the following ways:

1. Electronically. You may send your comments electronically to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for “Comment or Submission” or “More Search Options” to find the information collection document(s) that are accepting comments.

2. By regular mail. You may mail written comments to the following address: CMS, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs, Division of Regulations Development, Attention: CMS–10398 (#7)/OMB control number: 0938–1148, Room C4–26–05, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244–1850.

To obtain copies of a supporting statement and any related forms for the proposed collection(s) summarized in this notice, please access the CMS PRA website by copying and pasting the following web address into your web browser: https://www.cms.gov/​Regulations-and-Guidance/​Legislation/​PaperworkReductionActof1995/​PRAListing.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

William N. Parham at (410) 786–4669.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Following is a summary of the use and burden associated with the subject information collection(s). More detailed information can be found in the collection's supporting statement and associated materials (see ADDRESSES ).

Generic Information Collections

1. Title of Information Collection: Managed Care Rate Setting Guidance; Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of an existing generic information collection request; Use: In accordance with 42 CFR 438.7, states must submit to CMS for review and approval all rate certifications for managed care organizations (MCOs), prepaid inpatient health plans (PIHPs), and prepaid ambulatory health plans (PAHPs). The rate certification itself is prepared by a state's actuary who certifies the managed care program's capitation rates as actuarially sound for a specific time period, and documents the rate development process and final certified capitation rates.

Our Medicaid Managed Care Rate Development Guide (otherwise referred to as the “rate guide”) outlines the rate development standards and CMS' expectations for documentation included in rate certifications such as descriptions of base data used, trend factors to base data, projected benefit and non-benefit costs, and any other considerations or adjustments used when setting capitation rates. The information outlined in the rate guide must be included within the rate certification in adequate detail to allow CMS to determine compliance with applicable provisions of 42 CFR part 438, including that the data, assumptions, and methodologies used for rate development are consistent with generally accepted actuarial principles and practices and that the capitation rates are appropriate for the populations and services to be covered. There is no required template that states' actuaries must utilize for the rate certification, but the guidance outlined in the rate guide serves as a resource for states and their actuaries. Adherence by states and their actuaries to the rate development standards and documentation expectations outlined in the rate guide, will aid in ensuring compliance with the regulations and support CMS's review and approval of actuarially sound capitation rates and associated federal financial participation. Form Number: CMS–10398 (#37) (OMB control number: 0938–1148); Frequency: Annual; Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal Governments; Number of Respondents: 46; Total Annual Responses: 135; Total Annual Hours: 743. For policy questions regarding this collection contact Rebecca Burch-Mack at 303–844–7355.

Dated: April 5, 2023.

William N. Parham, III,

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