[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 189 (Thursday, October 1, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50799-50800]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-23707]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-10237 and CMS-10137]


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: Medicare 
Advantage Applications-Part C ; Use: Under section 1851(a)(1) of the 
Social Security Act, every individual entitled to Medicare Part A and 
enrolled under Part B, except for most individuals with end-stage renal 
disease (ESRD), could elect to receive benefits either through the 
Original Medicare Program or an M+C plan, if one was offered where he 
or she lived. The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and 
Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) Public Law 108-173 was enacted on 
December 8, 2003. The MMA established the Medicare Prescription Drug 
Benefit Program (Part D) and made revisions to the provisions of 
Medicare Part C, governing what is now called the Medicare Advantage 
(MA) program (formerly Medicare+Choice). The MMA was amended on July 
15, 2008 by the enactment of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and 
Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA).
    Coverage for the prescription drug benefit is provided through 
contracted prescription drug plans or through Medicare Advantage (MA) 
plans that offer integrated prescription drug and health care coverage 
(MA-PD plans). Cost plans that are required under section 1876 of the 
Social Security Act, and Employer Group Waiver Plans (EGWP) may also 
provide a Part D benefit. Organizations wishing to provide services 
under the MA and MA-PD plans must complete an application, negotiate 
rates and receive final approval from CMS. Certain existing MA plans 
may also expand their contracted area by completing the Service Area 
Expansion (SAE) application. Health plans must meet regulatory 
requirements to enter into a contract with CMS in order to provide 
health benefits to Medicare beneficiaries. The revised MA applications 
are the collection receptacles required. Refer to the supporting 
document- High-Level Summary of All Part C Application Revisions- for a 
list of changes: Form Number: CMS-10237 (OMB<greek-i>: 0938-0935); 
Frequency: Reporting--Yearly; Affected Public: Business or other for-
profits and not-for-profit institutions; Number of Respondents: 291; 
Total Annual Responses: 291; Total Annual Hours: 9547. (For policy 
questions regarding this collection contact Letticia Ramsey at 410-786-
5262. For all other issues call 410-786-1326.)
    2. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently 
approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Application for 
Prescription Drug Plans (PDP); Application for Medicare Advantage 
Prescription Drug (MA-PD); Application for Cost Plans to Offer 
Qualified Prescription Drug Coverage; Application for Employer Group 
Waiver Plans to Offer Prescription Drug Coverage; Service Area 
Expansion Application for Prescription Drug Coverage; Use: The Medicare 
Prescription Drug Benefit program was established by section 101 of the 
Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 
(MMA) and is codified in section 1860D of the Social Security Act (the 
Act). Section 101 of the MMA amended Title XVIII of the Social Security 
Act by redesignating Part D as Part E and inserting a new Part D, which 
establishes the voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program (``Part 
D''). The MMA was amended on July 15, 2008 by the enactment of the 
Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA).
    Coverage for the prescription drug benefit is provided through 
contracted prescription drug plans (PDPs) or through Medicare Advantage 
(MA) plans that offer integrated prescription drug and health care 
coverage (MA-PD plans). Cost Plans that are regulated under Section 
1876 of the Social Security Act, and Employer Group Waiver Plans (EGWP) 
may also provide a Part D benefit. Organizations wishing to provide 
services under the Prescription Drug Benefit Program must complete an 
application, negotiate rates and receive final approval from CMS. 
Existing Part D sponsors may also expand their contracted service area 
by completing the Service Area Expansion (SAE) application. Refer to 
supporting document ``Summary of Substantive and Technical Changes for 
All Part D Application Revisions from 2010 Version of Part D 
application to 2011 Draft Version'': Form Number: CMS-10137 
(OMB<greek-i>: 0938-0936); Frequency: Reporting--Once; Affected Public: 
Business or other for-profits and Not-for-profit institutions; Number 
of Respondents: 453; Total Annual Responses: 453; Total Annual Hours:

[[Page 50800]]

11,919. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Marla 
Rothouse at 410-786-8063. 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 
E-mail your request, including your address, phone number, OMB number, 
and CMS document identifier, to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#98c8f9e8fdeaeff7eaf3d8fbf5ebb6f0f0ebb6fff7ee"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e0b081908592978f928ba0838d93ce888893ce878f96">[email protected]</span></a>, or call the 
Reports Clearance Office on (410) 786-1326.
    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 November 2, 2009.
    OMB, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs,
    Attention: CMS Desk Officer.
    Fax Number: (202) 395-6974.
    E-mail: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#612e2833203e1214030c081212080e0f210e0c034f040e114f060e17"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="aee1e7fceff1dddbccc3c7ddddc7c1c0eec1c3cc80cbc1de80c9c1d8">[email protected]</span></a>.

    Dated: September 24, 2009.
Michelle Shortt,
Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic Operations 
and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. E9-23707 Filed 9-30-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P


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