2015-15125. Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

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 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.

DATES:

Comments on the collection(s) of information must be received by the OMB desk officer by July 20, 2015.

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' Web site address at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/​PaperworkReductionActof1995.

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:

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: Revision of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program; Use: Part D plans and, to the extent applicable, MA organizations use the information to comply with the eligibility and associated Part D participating requirements. We use this information to approve contract applications, monitor compliance with contract requirements, make proper payment to plans, and to ensure that correct information is disclosed to potential and current enrollees. Form Number: CMS-10141 (OMB control number 0938-0964); Frequency: Once; Affected Public: Private sector (Business or other for-profit and Not-for-profit institutions); Number of Respondents: 4,101,066; Total Annual Responses: 46,099,944; Total Annual Hours: 7,572,223. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Deborah Larwood at 410-786-9500).

2. Type of Information Collection Request: New collection (Reqeust for a new OMB control number); Title of Information Collection: Quality Improvement Strategy Implementation Plan and Progress Report; Use: Section 1311(c)(1)(E) of the Affordable Care Act requires qualified health plans (QHPs) offered through an Exchange must implement a quality improvement strategy (QIS) as described in section 1311(g)(1). Section 1311(g)(3) of the Affordable Care Act specifies the guidelines under Section 1311(g)(2) shall require the periodic reporting to the applicable Exchange the activities that a qualified health plan has conducted to implement a strategy as described in section 1311(g)(1). We intend to have QHP issuers complete the QIS Plan and Reporting Template annually for initial certification and subsequent annual updates of progress in implementation of their strategy. The template will include topics to assess an issuer's compliance in creation on a payment structure that provides increased reimbursement or other incentives to improve the health outcomes of plan enrollees, prevent hospital readmissions, improve patient safety and reduce medical errors, promote wellness and health, and reduce health and health care disparities, as described in Section 1311(g)(1) of the Affordable Care Act.

The Quality Improvement Strategy Plan and Reporting Template will allow (1) HHS to evaluate the compliance and adequacy of QHP issuers' quality improvement efforts, as required by Section 1311(c) of the Affordable Care Act, and (2) HHS will use the issuers' validated information to evaluate the issuers' quality improvement strategies for compliance with the requirements of Section 1311(g) of the Affordable Care Act. Form Number: CMS-10540 (OMB control number: 0938-NEW); Frequency: Annually; Affected Public: Individuals and Households; Private sector (Business or other for-profits and Not-for-profit institutions); Number of Respondents: 251,681; Total Annual Responses: 251,681; Total Annual Hours: 82,800. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Kimberly Kufel at 410-786-1750).

Dated: June 16, 2015.

William N. Parham, III,

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