2013-19321. 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 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 must be received by October 8, 2013.

ADDRESSES:

When commenting, please reference the document identifier or OMB control number (OCN). 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 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:

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-416 Annual Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) Participation Report

CMS-R-71 Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) Assumption of Responsibilities and Supporting Regulations

CMS-10150 Collection of Drug Pricing and Network Pharmacy Data from Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs and MA-PDs) and Supporting Regulations

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 Collections

1. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Annual Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) Participation Report; Use: The baseline data collected is used to assess the effectiveness of state early and periodic screening, diagnostic and treatment (EPSDT) programs in reaching eligible children, by age group and basis of Medicaid eligibility, who are provided initial and periodic child health screening services, referred for corrective treatment, and receiving dental, hearing, and vision services. This assessment is coupled with the state's results in attaining the participation goals set for the state. The information gathered from this report, permits federal and state managers to evaluate the effectiveness of the EPSDT law on the basic aspects of the program. Form Number: CMS-416 (OCN: 0938-0354); Frequency: Yearly; Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal Governments; Number of Respondents: 56; Total Annual Responses: 56; Total Annual Hours: 1,568. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Marsha Lillie-Blanton at 410-786-8856.)

2. Type of Information Collection Request: Reinstatement with change of a previously approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) Assumption of Responsibilities and Supporting Regulations; Use: The Peer Review Improvement Act of 1982 amended Title XI of the Social Security Act to create the Utilization and Quality Control Peer Review Organization (PRO) program which replaces the Professional Standards Review Organization (PSRO) program and streamlines peer review activities. The term PRO has been renamed Quality Improvement Organization (QIO). This information collection describes the review functions to be performed by the QIO. It outlines relationships among QIOs, providers, practitioners, beneficiaries, intermediaries, and carriers. Form Number: CMS-R-71 (OCN#: 0938-0445); Frequency: Yearly; Affected Public: Business or other for-profit and Not-for-profit institutions; Number of Respondents: 6,939; Total Annual Responses: 50,377; Total Annual Hours: 158,993. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Coles Mercier at 410-786-2112.)

3. Type of Information Collection Request: Reinstatement without change of a previously approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Collection of Drug Pricing and Network Pharmacy Data from Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs and MA-PDs) and Supporting Regulations; Use: Both stand alone prescription drug plans (PDPs) and Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MA-PDs) plans are required to submit drug pricing and pharmacy network data to us. These data are made publicly available to people with Medicare through the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder web tool on http://www.medicare.gov. Drug prices vary across a plans pharmacy network based on the contracts that each plan negotiates with each pharmacy or pharmacy chain in their networks. The pharmacy networks can change during the course of the year as new pharmacies open, close, change ownership, or plans negotiate new contracts with pharmacies resulting in different dispensing fees for prescriptions. Drug prices also change frequently due to the daily fluctuation of the Average Wholesale Price (AWP), thus plans increase or decrease their drug prices to reflect these changes.

The purpose of the data is to enable prospective and current Medicare beneficiaries to compare, learn, select and enroll in a plan that best meets their needs. The database structure provides the necessary drug pricing and pharmacy network information to accurately communicate plan information in a comparative format. Form Number: CMS-10150 (OCN#: 0938-0951); Frequency: Yearly; Affected Public: Business or other for-profit and Not-for-profit institutions; Number of Respondents: 680; Total Annual Responses: 17,680; Total Annual Hours: 70,720. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Jay Dobbs at 410-786-1182.)

Dated: August 6, 2013.

Martique Jones,

Deputy Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs.