2019-26595. 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 January 9, 2020.

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: Independent Diagnostic Testing Facilities (IDTFs) Site Investigation Form Revisions; Use: The data collection is used by Medicare contractors and/or their subcontractors on site visits to verify compliance with required IDTF performance standards. If a subcontractor is used, the subcontractor collects the information from the IDTF through an interview and forwards it to the Medicare contractor for evaluation.

The collection and verification of this information defends and protects our beneficiaries from illegitimate IDTFs. These procedures also protect the Medicare Trust Fund against fraud. The data collected also ensures that the applicant has the necessary credentials to provide the health care services for which they intend to bill Medicare. Form Number: CMS-10221 (OMB control number: 0938-1029); Frequency: Occasionally; Affected Public: Private Sector (Business or other for-profit and Not-for-profit institutions); Number of Respondents: 727; Total Annual Responses: 727; Total Annual Hours: 1,454. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Kimberly McPhillips at 410-786-5374.)

2. Type of Information Collection Request: Extension without change of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Elimination of Cost-Sharing for full benefit dual-eligible Individuals Receiving Home and Community-Based Services; Use: Each month CMS deems individuals automatically eligible for the full subsidy, based on data from State Medicaid Agencies and the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA sends a monthly file of Supplementary Security Income-eligible beneficiaries to CMS. Similarly, the State Medicaid agencies submit Medicare Modernization Act files to CMS that identify full subsidy beneficiaries. CMS deems the beneficiaries as having full subsidy and auto-assigns these beneficiaries to bench mark Part D plans. Part D plans receive premium amounts based on the monthly assessments.

State MMA Phase Down (SPD) exchange enables CMS to implement the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act, also called the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA), which was enacted into law in 2003. This data exchange allows the State Medicaid Agency (SMA) to identify Medicare beneficiaries with coverage under the Medicaid program. The SMAs also identify other low-income Medicare beneficiaries who have applied for the Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS). As a result of the identification of these two groups of beneficiaries, CMS auto-assigns and/or facilitates enrollment of the appropriate beneficiaries into Part D plans.

Section 1860 D-14 of the Social Security Act sets forth requirements for premium and cost-sharing subsidies for low-income beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Part D. Based on this statute, 42 CFR 423.771, provides guidance concerning limitations for payments made by and on behalf of low-income Medicare beneficiaries who enroll in Part D plans. 42 CFR 423.771 (b) establishes requirements for determining a beneficiary's eligibility for full subsidy under the Part D program. Regulations set forth in 423.780 and 423.782 outline premium and cost sharing subsidies to which full subsidy eligible are entitled under the Part D program. Form Number: CMS-10344 (OMB control number: 0938-1127); Frequency: Yearly; Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal Governments; Number of Respondents: 51; Total Annual Responses: 612; Total Annual Hours: 612. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Roland O. Herrera at 410-786-0668.)

3. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision with change of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Title Solicitation for Applications for Medicare Prescription Drug Plan 2021 Contracts; Use: Coverage for the prescription drug benefit is provided through contracted prescription drug plans (PDPs) or through Medicare Advantage (MA) plans that offer integrated prescription drug and health care coverage (MA-PD plans). Cost Plans that are regulated under Section 1876 of the Social Security Act, and Employer Group Waiver Plans (EGWP) may also provide a Part D benefit. Organizations wishing to provide services under the Prescription Drug Benefit Program must complete an application, negotiate rates, and receive final approval from CMS. Existing Part D Sponsors may also expand their contracted service area by completing the Service Area Expansion (SAE) application.

Collection of this information is mandated in Part D of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) in Subpart 3. The application requirements are codified in Subpart K of 42 CFR 423 entitled “Application Procedures and Contracts with PDP Sponsors.”

The information will be collected under the solicitation of proposals from PDP, MA-PD, Cost Plan, Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), and EGWP applicants. The collected information will be used by CMS to: (1) Ensure that applicants meet CMS requirements for offering Part D plans (including network adequacy, contracting requirements, and compliance program requirements, as described in the application), (2) support the determination of contract awards. Form Number: CMS-10137 (OMB control number: 0938-0936); Frequency: Yearly; Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal Governments; Number of Respondents: 243; Total Annual Responses: 290; Total Annual Hours: 1,384.79. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Arianne Spaccarelli at 410-786-5715.)

Dated: December 5, 2019.

William N. Parham, III,

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