2021-24549. Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Health and Human 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 December 10, 2021.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function.

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.

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: Extension of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Transparency in Coverage Reporting by Qualified Health Plan Issuers; Use: Sections 1311(e)(3)(A)-(C) of the ACA, as implemented at 45 CFR 155.1040(a)-(c) and 156.220, establish standards for qualified health plan (QHP) issuers to submit specific information related to transparency in coverage. QHP issuers are required to post and make data related to transparency in coverage available to the public in plain language and submit this data to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Exchange, and the state insurance commissioner. Section 2715A of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act as added by the ACA largely extends the transparency provisions set forth in section 1311(e)(3) to non-grandfathered group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group and individual health insurance coverage. Form Number: CMS-10572 (OMB control number: 0938-1310); Frequency: Annually; Affected Public: Private sector (Business or Not-for-profit institutions); Number of Respondents: 360; Total Annual Responses: 360; Total Annual Hours: 17,160. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Jack Reeves at 301-492-5152).

Dated: November 5, 2021.

Martique Jones,

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