2010-9503. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, HHS.

In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is publishing the following summary of proposed collections for public comment. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding this 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.

1. Type of Information Collection Request: New collection; Title of Information Collection: Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) and Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan (MA-PD) Disenrollment Reasons Survey; Use: The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) provides a requirement to collect and report performance data for Part D prescription drug plans. Specifically, the MMA under section 1860D-4 (Beneficiary Protections for Qualified Prescription Drug Coverage) requires CMS to conduct consumer satisfaction surveys regarding PDPs and MA-PDs. CMS seeks through the survey to obtain information about beneficiaries' reasons for disenrolling from their chosen Part D plan, and their expectations relative to provided benefits and services. Determining the reasons for disenrollment from Part D plans will provide important information regarding potential dissatisfaction with some aspect of the plan, such as access, service, cost, quality of care, or the benefits provided. This information can be used by CMS to improve the design and functioning of the Part D program. Form Number: CMS-10316 (OMB#: 0938-New); Frequency: Yearly; Affected Public: Individuals and households; Number of Respondents: 120,000; Total Annual Responses: 120,000; Total Annual Hours: 34,800. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Phyllis Nagy at 410-786-6646. For all other issues call 410-786-1326.)

2. Type of Information Collection Request: Extension of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Chronic Care Improvement Program and Medicare Advantage Quality Improvement Project; Use: The Social Security Act, section 1852 e(1), (2) and (3)(a)(i), and CFR 42, 422.152 describe CMS' regulatory authority to require each Medicare Advantage Organization (other than Medicare Advantage (MA) private fee for service and MSA plans) that offers one or more MA plans to have an ongoing quality assessment and performance improvement program. This program must include measuring performance using standard measures required by CMS and report its performance to CMS. Form Number: CMS-10209 (OMB#: 0938-New); Frequency: Yearly; Affected Public: Business or other for-profits and Not-for-profit institutions; Number of Respondents: 394; Total Annual Responses: 788; Total Annual Hours: 18,912. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Darlene Anderson at 410-786-9824. For all other issues call 410-786-1326.)

To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access CMS' Web Site at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/​PaperworkReductionActof1995,, or e-mail your request, including your address, phone number, OMB number, and CMS document identifier, to [e-mail], or call the Reports Clearance Office on [phone].

In commenting on the proposed information collections please reference the document identifier or OMB control number. To be assured consideration, comments and recommendations must be submitted in one of the following ways by June 22, 2010:

1. Electronically. You may submit 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) 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.

Dated: April 15, 2010.

Michelle Shortt,

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