00-13544. Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission For OMB Review; Comment Request

In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), Department of Health and Human Services, has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) the following proposal for the collection of information. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the 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.

Type of Information Collection Request: New Collection.

Title of Information Collection: Individual Market-Guarantee Issue Election Packet, and Supporting Regulations in 45 CFR 148, and Forms/Instructions.

Form No.: HCFA-R-205/Supplement (OMB# 0938-NEW).

Use: This collection is a Supplement of the existing collection for “Information Collection Requirements Referenced in HIPAA for the Individual Market, Supporting Regulations in 45 CFR 148, and forms/instructions (OMB 0938-0703). This supplement is intended to simplify the filing obligations of issuers who participate in the individual market of more than one direct enforcement state. A direct enforcement state is a state in which HCFA has the responsibility to enforce the requirements of HIPAA. This supplement allows the issuer to submit the requested information for multiple states at one time, rather than having to complete a separate transmittal form for each state.

Frequency: On occasion.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, Individuals or Households, Not-for-profit institutions, Federal Government, and State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 15.

Total Annual Responses: 150.

Total Annual Hours: 566.

To obtain copies of the supporting statement for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access HCFA's Web Site Address at http://www.hcfa.gov/​regs/​prdact95.htm,, or E-mail your request, including your address and phone number, to [e-mail], or call the Reports Clearance Office on [phone]. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collections must be mailed within 30 days of this notice directly to the OMB Desk Officer designated at the following address: OMB Human Resources and Housing Branch, Attention: Allison Eydt, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503.

Dated: May 8, 2000.

John P. Burke III,

HCFA Reports Clearance Officer, HCFA, Office of Information Services, Security and Standards Group, Division of HCFA Enterprise Standards.