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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 116 (Friday, June 15, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35981-35982]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-14674]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier CMS-10028]

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
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

[[Page 35982]]

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: State Health 
Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) Client Contact Form, Public and 
Media Activity Report Form, and Resource Report Form. Use: Section 
4360(f) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) 1990 requires 
the Secretary to provide a series of reports to the U.S. Congress on 
the performance of the program and its impact on beneficiaries and to 
obtain important informational feedback from beneficiaries. Further, in 
response to requirements of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, CMS 
launched a comprehensive five-year campaign, the National Medicare 
Education Program (NMEP), to raise awareness among beneficiaries about 
their Medicare health plan options and help them assess the advantages 
and disadvantages each choice holds for them. The Medicare 
Modernization Act (MMA) of 2003 required State Health Insurance 
Assistance Programs (SHIPs) to be actively engaged in the 
implementation of the Medicare Prescription Drug Program (Part D). 
MIPPA legislation and Affordable Care Act legislation required SHIPs to 
provide enrollment assistance for the Limited Income Subsidy (LIS) and 
Medicare Savings Program (MSP). The goal is to ensure that 
beneficiaries are making an informed choice, regardless of whether they 
stay in Original Medicare or choose new options. CMS is responsible to 
Congress for demonstrating improvement over time in the level of 
awareness and understanding beneficiaries have about health plan 
options. The SHIPs are an integral component of this initiative.
    The information collected is used to fulfill the reporting 
requirements described in Section 4360(f) of OBRA 1990. The data will 
be accumulated and analyzed to measure SHIP performance in order to 
determine whether and to what extent the SHIPs have met the goals of 
improved CMS customer service to beneficiaries and better understanding 
by beneficiaries of their health insurance options. Further, the 
information will be used in the administration of the grants, to 
measure performance and appropriate use of the funds by the state 
grantees, to identify gaps in services and technical support needed by 
SHIPs, and to identify and share best practices.
    The overall burden of hours and expected number of respondents 
increase is based on projected future service growth and projected 
future increases in staffing to accommodate the increased demand to 
utilize the SHIP network to raise awareness about new CMS policies, 
outreach initiatives, or both. Form Number: CMS-10028 (OCN: 0938-0850); 
Frequency: Occasionally; Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal 
Governments; Number of Respondents: 17,838; Total Annual Responses: 
2,346,465. Total Annual Hours: 195,642. (For policy questions regarding 
this collection contact Letticia Ramsey at 410-786-5262. 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 address at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PaperworkReductionActof1995, 
or Email 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.
    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 August 14, 2012:
    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-10434, Room C4-26-05, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 
21244-1850.

    Dated: June 12, 2012.
Martique Jones,
Director, Regulations Development Group, Division B, Office of 
Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2012-14674 Filed 6-14-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P
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