2017-10227. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 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 (the 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 60 days for public comment on the proposed action. Interested persons are invited to send 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 July 18, 2017.

ADDRESSES:

When commenting, please reference the document identifier or OMB control number. 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: Document Identifier/OMB Control Number ___, 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, you may make your request using one of following:

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

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

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Reports Clearance Office at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Contents

This notice sets out a summary of the use and burden associated with the following information collections. More detailed information can be found in each collection's supporting statement and associated materials (see ADDRESSES).

CMS-10371 Cooperative Agreements To Support Establishment of State-Operated Health Insurance Exchanges

CMS-10507 State-Based Marketplace Annual Reporting Tool (SMART)

Under the 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 requires federal agencies to publish a 60-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.

Information Collection

1. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of an existing information collection requirement; Title of Information Collection: Cooperative Agreements to Support Establishment of State-Operated Health Insurance Exchanges; Use: All States (including the 50 States, consortia of States, and the District of Columbia herein referred to as States) had the opportunity under Section 1311(b) of the Affordable Care to apply for three types of grants: (1) Planning grants; (2) Early Innovator grants for early development of information technology; and (3) Establishment grants to develop, implement and start-up Marketplaces. As of January 1st, 2017, the Secretary has disbursed over $5.4 billion under this grant program and, as of that date, there were 19 active establishment grants awarded to 12 states. As the State-Based Marketplaces (SBM) and Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) have matured and moved from the developmental phases to full-operation, the reporting requirements for the states have been modified and streamlined to insure only information necessary to provide effective oversight of their operations by CMS is collected.

Given the innovative nature of Exchanges and the statutorily-prescribed relationship between the Secretary and States in their development and operation, it is critical that the Secretary work closely with States to provide necessary guidance and technical assistance to ensure that States can meet the prescribed timelines, federal requirements, and goals of the statute and the grants awarded to them. Form Number: CMS-10371 (OMB Control Number: 0938-1119); Frequency: Once; Affected Public: State Government agencies, non-profit entities; Number of Respondents: 17; Number of Responses: 37; Total Annual Hours: 12,328. (For policy questions regarding this collection, contact Nickom Sukachevin at [phone].)

2. Type of Information Collection Request: Extension of a currently approved information collection; Title of Information Collection: State-based Marketplace Annual Reporting Tool (SMART); Use: The annual report is the primary vehicle to insure comprehensive compliance with all reporting requirements contained in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). It is specifically called for in Section 1313(a)(1) of the Act which requires an SBM to keep an accurate accounting of all activities, receipts, and expenditures, and to submit a report annually to the Secretary concerning such accounting. CMS will use the information collected from States to assist in determining if a State is maintaining a compliant operational Exchange. Form Number: CMS-10507 (OMB Control Number: 0938-1244); Frequency: Annually; Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal governments; Number of Respondents: 17; Number of Responses: 17; Total Annual Hours: 1,173. (For policy questions regarding this collection, contact Christy Woods at 301-492-4453.)

Dated: May 16, 2017.

William N. Parham, III,

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