2019-00578. Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; 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 (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 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 on the collection(s) of information must be received by the OMB desk officer by March 4, 2019.

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' website address at website address at https://www.cms.gov/​Regulations-and-Guidance/​Legislation/​PaperworkReductionActof1995/​PRA-Listing.html.

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

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

William Parham 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: Reinstatement without change of a previously approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Generic Clearance for the Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network; Use: The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), through the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, develops and tests innovative new payment and service delivery models in accordance with the requirements of section 1115A and in consideration of the opportunities and factors set forth in section 1115A(b)(2) of the Act. To date, CMS has built a portfolio of models (in operation or already announced) that have attracted participation from a broad array of health care providers, states, payers, and other stakeholders. During the development of models, CMS builds on ideas received from stakeholders—consulting with clinical and analytical experts, as well as with representatives of relevant federal and state agencies.

CMS will continue to partner with stakeholders across the health care system to catalyze transformation through the use of alternative payment models. To this end, CMS launched the Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network, an effort to accelerate the transition to alternative payment models, identify best practices in their implementation, collaborate with payers, providers, consumers, purchasers, and other stakeholders, and monitor the adoption of value-based alternative payment models across the health care system. A system wide transition to alternative payment models will strengthen the ability of CMS to implement existing models and design new models that improve quality and decrease costs for CMS beneficiaries.

The information collected from LAN participants will be used by the CMS Innovation Center to potentially inform the design, selection, testing, modification, and expansion of innovative payment and service delivery models in accordance with the requirements of section 1115A, while monitoring the percentage of payments tied to alternative payment models across the U.S. health care system. In addition, the requested information will be made publically available so that LAN participants (payers, providers, consumers, employers, state agencies, and patients) can use the information to inform decision making and better understand market dynamics in relation to alternative payment models. Form Number: CMS-10575 (OMB control number: 0938-1297); Frequency: Occasionally; Affected Public: Individuals; Private Sector (Business or other For-profit and Not-for-profit institutions), State, Local and Tribal Governments; Number of Respondents: 30,110; Total Annual Responses: 23,110; Total Annual Hours: 25,917. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Dustin Allison at 410-786-8830.)

2. Type of Information Collection Request: Extension of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Information Collection for Transparency in Coverage Reporting by Qualified Health Plan Issuers; Use: Section 1311(e)(3) of the Affordable Care Act requires issuers of Qualified Health Plans (QHPs), to make available and submit transparency in coverage data. This data collection would collect certain information from QHP issuers in Federally-facilitated Exchanges and State-based Exchanges that rely on the federal IT platform (i.e., HealthCare.gov). HHS anticipates that consumers may use this information to inform plan selection.

As stated in the final rule Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Establishment of Exchanges and Qualified Health Plans; Exchange Standards for Employers (77 FR 18310; March 27, 2012), broader implementation will continue to be addressed in separate rulemaking issued by HHS, and the Departments of Labor and the Treasury (the Departments).

Consistent with Public Health Service Act (PHS Act) section 2715A, which largely extends the transparency reporting provisions set forth in section 1311(e)(3) to non-grandfathered group health plans (including large group and self-insured health plans) and health insurance issuers offering group and individual health insurance coverage (non-QHP issuers), the Departments intend to propose other transparency reporting requirements at a later time, through a separate rulemaking conducted by the Departments, for non-QHP issuers and non-grandfathered group health plans. Those proposed reporting requirements may differ from those prescribed in the HHS proposal under section 1311(e)(3), and will take into account differences in markets, reporting requirements already in existence for non-QHPs (including group health plans), and other relevant factors. The Departments also intend to streamline reporting under multiple reporting provisions and reduce unnecessary duplication. The Departments intend to implement any transparency reporting requirements applicable to non-QHP issuers and non-grandfathered group health plans only after notice and comment, and after giving those issuers and plans sufficient time, following the publication of final rules, to come into compliance with those requirements. Form Number: CMS-10572 (OMB control number: 0938-1310); Frequency: Annually; Affected Public: Private Sector (Business or other for-profits); Number of Respondents: 160; Number of Responses: 160; Total Annual Hours: 10,880. (For questions regarding this collection contact Valisha Jackson at (301) 492- 5145.)

Dated: January 28, 2019.

William N. Parham, III

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