[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 223 (Friday, November 19, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70927-70928]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-29253]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-10334 and CMS-10339]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, HHS.


[[Page 70928]]


    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) 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.
    1. Type of Information Collection Request: Extension of a currently 
approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Enrollment 
Application for Coverage in the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan; 
Use: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is requesting an 
extension of this information collection request by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB). This information collection request 
originally received OMB approval on 6/29/2010. HHS is now seeking a 
three-year approval for this collection. On March 23, 2010, the 
President signed into law H.R. 3590, the Patient Protection and 
Affordable Care Act (Affordable Care Act), Public Law 111-148. Section 
1101 of the law establishes a ``temporary high risk health insurance 
pool program'' (which has been named the Pre-Existing Condition 
Insurance Plan, or PCIP) to provide health insurance coverage to 
currently uninsured individuals with pre-existing conditions.
    In order for individuals to be considered for eligibility into the 
federally-run PCIP program, they must submit a completed enrollment 
application to HHS. The enrollment application is used by HHS or its 
designee to obtain information from potentially eligible individuals 
applying for coverage in the PCIP program. PCIP is also referred to as 
the temporary qualified high risk insurance pool program, as it is 
called in the Affordable Care Act, but we have adopted the term PCIP to 
better describe the program and avoid confusion with the existing state 
high risk pool programs. The data collection will be used by HHS to 
obtain information from potential eligible individuals applying for 
coverage in the PCIP. Form Number: CMS-10334 (OMB: 0938-1095); 
Frequency: Once; Affected Public: Individuals and households; Number of 
Respondents: 100,000; Total Annual Responses: 100,000; Total Annual 
Hours: 92,000. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact 
Laura Dash at 410-786-8623. For all other issues call 410-786-1326.)
    2. Type of Information Collection Request: Extension of a currently 
approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Pre-Existing 
Health Insurance Plan and Supporting Regulations; Use: The Department 
of Health and Human Services (HHS) is requesting an extension of this 
information collection request by the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB). This information collection request originally received OMB 
approval on 7/26/2010. HHS is now seeking a three-year approval for 
this collection. On March 23, 2010, the President signed into law H.R. 
3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Affordable Care 
Act), Public Law 111-148. Section 1101 of the law establishes a 
``temporary high risk health insurance pool program'' (which has been 
named the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan, or PCIP) to provide 
health insurance coverage to currently uninsured individuals with pre-
existing conditions. The law authorizes HHS to carry out the program 
directly or through contracts with states or private, non-profit 
entities.
    We are requesting an extension for this package because this 
information is needed to assure that PCIP programs are established 
timely and effectively. This request is being made based on regulations 
that have been issued and contracts which have been executed by HHS 
with States or an entity on their behalf participating in the PCIP 
program. PCIP is also referred to as the temporary qualified high risk 
insurance pool program, as it is called in the Affordable Care Act, but 
we have adopted the term PCIP to better describe the program and avoid 
confusion with the existing state high risk pool programs. Form Number: 
CMS-10339 (OMB: 0938-1100); Frequency: Reporting--On occasion; 
Affected Public: State governments; Number of Respondents: 51; Total 
Annual Responses: 2,652; Total Annual Hours: 36,924. (For policy 
questions regarding this collection contact Laura Dash at 410-786-8623. 
For all other issues call 410-786-1326.)
    To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms 
for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access CMS' 
Web Site at 
http:[sol][sol]www.cms.hhs.gov[sol]PaperworkReductionActof1995, or E-
mail your request, including your address, phone number, OMB number, 
and CMS document identifier, to [email protected], or call the 
Reports Clearance Office on (410) 786-1326.
    In commenting on the proposed information collections please 
reference the document identifier or OMB control number. To be assured 
consideration, comments and recommendations must be submitted in one of 
the following ways by January 18, 2011:
    1. Electronically. You may submit your comments electronically to 
http:[sol][sol]www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for 
``Comment or Submission'' or ``More Search Options'' to find the 
information collection document(s) accepting comments.
    2. By regular mail. You may mail written comments to the following 
address: CMS, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs, 
Division of Regulations Development, Attention: Document Identifier/OMB 
Control Number Room C4-26-05, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, 
Maryland 21244-1850.

    Dated: November 16, 2010.
Martique Jones,
Director, Regulations Development Group Division-B, Office of Strategic 
Operations and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2010-29253 Filed 11-18-10; 8:45 am]
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