[Federal Register: October 7, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 194)]
[Notices]
[Page 58708-58709]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07oc05-61]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
[Document Identifier: CMS-10171]
Emergency Clearance: Public Information Collection Requirements
Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
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), Department of Health
[[Page 58709]]
and Human Services, 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.
We are, however, requesting an emergency review of the information
collection referenced below. In compliance with the requirement of
section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we have
submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) the following
requirements for emergency review. We are requesting an emergency
review because the collection of this information is needed before the
expiration of the normal time limits under OMB's regulations at 5 CFR
part 1320. This is necessary to ensure compliance with an initiative of
the Administration. We cannot reasonably comply with the normal
clearance procedures because the normal procedures are likely to cause
a statutory deadline to be missed which may result in public harm.
Section 1860D-23 and 1860D-24 of the Social Security Act, added by
the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of
2003 (MMA), requires the Secretary to establish requirements for
prescription drug plans to ensure the effective coordination between
Part D plans, State pharmaceutical assistance programs and other
payers. These requirements have been codified into the Code of Federal
Regulations at 42 CFR 423.464.
Part D sponsors will be responsible for making system changes
related to enrollment file sharing, claims processing and payment,
reconciliation and tracking of the true out-of-pocket expenditures of
beneficiaries prior to the implementation of Part D (January 1, 2006).
System changes must also be implemented by State pharmaceutical
assistance programs so that they may provide additional drug benefits
at the pharmacy to Part D beneficiaries. In addition to making system
changes, these changes must be tested, which will require additional
time prior to January 1, 2006. Failure to make system changes may
result in the delay in the implementation of the program and may result
in a direct harm to beneficiaries since delays or mistakes in claims
processing may result in beneficiaries not receiving their medications,
or being unable to pay for medications out-of-pocket until the system
issue is resolved.
CMS is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by
November 8, 2005, with a 180-day approval period. Written comments and
recommendations will be accepted from the public if received by the
individuals designated below by November 7, 2005.
Type of Information Collection Request: New Collection; Title of
Information Collection: Coordination of Benefits between Part D Plans
and Other Prescription Coverage Providers; Use: This information is
necessary to assist with coordination of prescription drug benefits
provided to the Medicare beneficiary at the pharmacy; Form Number: CMS-
10171 (OMB: 0938-NEW); Frequency: On occasion and monthly;
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, Federal, State, Local
and Tribal Government; Number of Respondents: 56,320; Total Annual
Responses: 2,153,767,270; Total Annual Hours: 1,017,914.
To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms
for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access CMS'
Web site address at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/regulations/pra or e-mail
your request, including your address, phone number, OMB number, and CMS
document identifier, to paperwork@cms.hhs.gov, or call the Reports
Clearance Office at (410) 786-1326.
Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the
burden or any other aspect of these collections of information
requirements. However, as noted above, comments on these information
collection and recordkeeping requirements must be received by the
designees referenced below by November 7, 2005: Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory
Affairs, Room C4-26-05, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-
1850, Attn: Melissa Musotto, CMS-10171. and, OMB Human Resources and
Housing Branch, Attention: CMS Desk Officer, New Executive Office
Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503.
Dated: September 30, 2005.
Michelle Shortt,
Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic Operations
and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. 05-20229 Filed 10-6-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-03-P