Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals,

[Federal Register: January 11, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 8)]

[Notices]

[Page 2044-2045]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr11ja08-49]

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-R-262 and CMS-10142]

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

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, HHS.

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: Revision of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: CY 2009 Plan Benefit Package (PBP) and Formulary Submission for Medicare Advantage (MA) Plans and Prescription Drug Plans (PDP); Use: Under the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA), Medicare Advantage (MA) and Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) organizations are required to submit plan benefit packages for all Medicare beneficiaries residing in their service area. The plan benefit package submission consists of the formulary file, Plan Benefit Package (PBP) software, and supporting documentation as necessary. MA and PDP organizations will generate a formulary to illustrate their list of drugs, including information on prior authorization, step therapy, tiering, and quantity limits. Additionally, the PBP software will be used to describe their organization's plan benefit packages, including information on premiums, cost sharing, authorization rules, and supplemental benefits. CMS uses the formulary and PBP data to review and approve the plan benefit packages proposed by each MA and PDP organization.

    CMS requires that MA and PDP organizations submit a completed formulary and PBP as part of the annual bidding process. During this process, organizations prepare their proposed plan benefit packages for the upcoming contract year and submit them to CMS for review and approval. Based on operational changes and policy clarifications to the Medicare program and continued input and feedback by the industry, CMS has made the necessary changes to the plan benefit package submission. Refer to the ``List of Changes for the CY2009-PBP and Formulary'' document for a summary list of changes. Form Number: CMS-R-262 (OMB: 0938-0763); Frequency: Yearly; Affected Public: Business or other for-profit and Not-for-profit institutions; Number of Respondents: 475; Total Annual Responses: 4987.5; Total Annual Hours: 11,400.

  2. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: CY2009 Bid Pricing Tool (BPT) for Medicare Advantage (MA) Plans and Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs); Use: Under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization (MMA), Medicare Advantage organizations (MAO) and Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) are required to submit an actuarial pricing ``bid'' for each plan offered to Medicare beneficiaries. CMS requires that MAOs and PDPs complete the BPT as part of the annual bidding process. During this process, organizations prepare their proposed actuarial bid pricing for the upcoming contract year and submit them to CMS for review and approval. The purpose of the BPT is to collect the actuarial pricing information for each plan. The BPT calculates the plan's bid, enrollee premiums, and payment rates. Refer to ``Attachment C'' for a summary list of changes. Form Number: CMS-10142 (OMB: 0938-0944); Frequency: Yearly; Affected Public: Business or other for-profit and Not-for-profit institutions; Number of Respondents: 550; Total Annual Responses: 6,050; Total Annual Hours: 42,350.

    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/PaperworkReductionActof1995, 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 on (410) 786-1326.

    [[Page 2045]]

    To be assured consideration, comments and recommendations for the proposed information collections must be received by the OMB desk officer at the address below, no later than 5 p.m. on February 11, 2008.

    OMB Human Resources and Housing Branch, Attention: Carolyn Lovett, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, Fax Number: (202) 395-6974.

    Dated: January 2, 2008. Michelle Shortt, Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs. [FR Doc. E8-154 Filed 1-10-08; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 4120-01-P

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