[Federal Register: June 26, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 122)]
[Notices]               
[Page 30576-30577]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26jn09-75]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier CMS-R-205 and CMS-R-206]

 
Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request

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 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 function; (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: Extension of a currently 
approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Information 
Collection Requirements Referenced in HIPAA title I for the Individual 
Market, Supporting Regulations at 45 CFR 148 (148.120, 148.122, 
148.124, 148.126, and 148.128), Forms and Instructions; Use: The 
provisions of title I of the Health Insurance Portability and 
Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) amend the Public Health Service Act 
(PHS Act) and are designed to make it easier for people to get access 
to health care coverage; to reduce the limitations that can be put on 
the coverage; and to make it more difficult for issuers to terminate 
the coverage. The information collection requirements will ensure that 
issuers in the individual market comply with HIPAA title I, provide 
individuals with certificates of creditable coverage necessary to 
demonstrate prior creditable coverage and file documentation with CMS 
for review in a Federal direct enforcement state. Requirements must 
also ensure states' flexibility to implement state alternative 
mechanisms. Form Number: CMS-R-205 (OMB: 0938-0703); 
Frequency: Reporting--Yearly and Occasionally; Affected Public: 
Business or other For-profit and Not-for-profit institutions; Number of 
Respondents: 2,042; Total Annual Responses: 2,979,801; Total Annual 
Hours: 856,384. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact 
Louis Blank at 410-786-5511. For all other issues call 410-786-1326.)
    2. Type of Information Collection Request: Extension of a currently 
approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Information 
Collection Requirements in HIPAA title I for the Group Market, 
Supporting Regulations 45 CFR 146 (146.111, 146.115, 146.117, 146.150, 
146.152, 146.160 and 146.180) Forms and Instructions; Use: The 
provisions of title I of the Health Insurance Portability and 
Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) are designed to make it easier for 
people to get access to health care coverage and to reduce the 
limitations that can be put on the coverage. This collection pertains 
to notices issued by group health insurance issuers and self-funded 
non-Federal governmental plans as required by 45 CFR 146. These notices 
are triggered by the issuance of certificates of creditable coverage; 
notification of preexisting condition exclusions; notification of 
special enrollment rights; and State review of issuers' filings of 
group market products or similar Federal review in cases in which a 
State is not enforcing a HIPAA group market provision. Form Number: 
CMS-R-206 (OMB: 0938-0702); Frequency: Reporting--Yearly; 
Affected Public: Private Sector; Business or other For-profit and Not-
for-profit institutions, and State, Local, or Tribal Governments; 
Number of Respondents: 8,050; Total Annual Responses: 37,002,217; Total 
Annual Hours: 2,920,012. (For policy questions regarding this 
collection contact Louis Blank at 410-786-5511. For all other issues 
call 410-786-1326.)
    To be assured consideration, comments and recommendations for the

[[Page 30577]]

proposed information collections must be received by the OMB desk 
officer at the address below, no later than 5 p.m. on July 27, 2009.
    OMB, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: CMS 
Desk Officer, Fax Number: (202) 395-6974, E-mail: OIRA_
submission@omb.eop.gov.

    Dated: June 18, 2009.
Michelle Shortt,
Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic Operations 
and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. E9-15189 Filed 6-25-09; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4120-01-P