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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 179 (Monday, September 16, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56898-56899]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing 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 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 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]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P
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