[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 179 (Monday, September 16, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56898-56899]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-22517]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
[Document Identifier: CMS-10371]
Emergency Clearance: Public Information Collection Requirements
Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
AGENCY: Center for Medicare and 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 and 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 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. This is necessary to ensure
compliance with an initiative of the Administration. We are requesting
an emergency review under 5 CFR Part 1320(a)(2)(i) because public harm
is reasonably likely to result if the normal clearance procedures are
followed. The approval of the data collection tools for outcomes and
operational metrics is essential to ensuring that State-based
Marketplaces provide substantive operational and monitoring data to CMS
in a uniform format from the beginning of the enrollment period,
October 1, 2013. Without an emergency clearance process, systematic
data collection would not begin until well into the open enrollment
period, and states would have to delay critical steps to integrating
this reporting into their information systems. Without consistent data,
we will be limited in our ability to effectively track states' progress
and identify problems during this crucial early implementation period.
1. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently
approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Cooperative
Agreement to Support Establishment of State-Operated Health Insurance
Exchanges; Use: All States (including the 50 States, consortia of
States, Territories, and the District of Columbia herein referred to as
States) that received a State Planning and Establishment Grant for
Affordable Care Act's (ACA) Exchanges are eligible for the Cooperative
Agreement to Support Establishment of State Operated Insurance
Exchanges. Section 1311 of the Affordable Care Act offers the
opportunity for each State to establish an Exchange [now referred to as
Marketplace], and provides for grants to States for the planning and
establishment of these Exchanges. Given the innovative nature of
Exchanges and the statutorily-prescribed relationship between the
Secretary and States in their development and operation, it is critical
that the Secretary work closely with States to provide necessary
guidance and technical assistance to ensure that States can meet the
prescribed timelines, Federal requirements, and goals of the statute.
In order to provide appropriate and timely guidance and technical
assistance, the Secretary must have access to timely, periodic
information regarding State progress. Consequently, the information
collection associated with these grants is essential to facilitating
reasonable and appropriate federal monitoring of funds, providing
statutorily-mandated assistance to States to implement Exchanges in
accordance with Federal requirements, and to ensure that States have
all necessary information required to proceed, such that retrospective
corrective action can be minimized.
The submitted revision adds lists and suggested data reporting
formats for Outcomes and Operational Metrics to states' data collection
requirements; we will use the resulting data to evaluate Marketplace
performance and overall effectiveness of the ACA. Key areas of
measurement are the effectiveness of eligibility determination and
enrollment processes, impact on affordability for consumers, and the
effect of Marketplace participation on health insurances markets.
Furthermore, these metrics facilitate actionable feedback and technical
assistance to States for quality improvement efforts during the
critical early period of operations. This funding opportunity was first
released on January 20, 2011. Form Number: CMS-10371(OCN: 0938-1121);
Frequency: Occasionally; Affected Public: State, Local or Tribal
governments; Number of Respondents: 40; Total Annual Responses: 1,475;
Total Annual Hours: 64,695. (For policy questions regarding this
collection contact Christina Daw at 301-492-4181.)
We are requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by
September 23, 2013, with a 180-day approval period. Written comments
and recommendation will be considered from the public if received by
the individuals designated below by the noted deadline below.
To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms
for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access CMS's
Web site address at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PaperworkReductionActof1995
or Email 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 September 23, 2013:
1. Electronically. You may submit your comments electronically to
http://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 (CMS-10371),
Room C4-26-05, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850
and,
OMB Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: CMS Desk
Officer, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington,
[[Page 56899]]
DC 20503, Fax Number: (202) 395-6974.
Dated: September 12, 2013.
Martique Jones,
Deputy Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic
Operations and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2013-22517 Filed 9-13-13; 8:45 am]
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