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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 14 (Tuesday, January 22, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4412-4413]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-01167]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-10191]

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 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

[[Page 4413]]

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: Revision of a currently 
approved collection. Title of Information Collection: Medicare Parts C 
and D Universal Audit Guide. Use: Under the Medicare Prescription Drug, 
Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 and implementing regulations 
under 42 CFR parts 422 and 423, Medicare Part D plan sponsors and 
Medicare Advantage organizations are required to comply with all 
Medicare Parts C and D program requirements. In 2010 the explosive 
growth of these sponsoring organizations forced CMS to develop an audit 
strategy to ensure we continue to obtain meaningful audit results. As a 
result, CMS' audit strategy reflected a move to a more targeted, data-
driven and risk-based audit approach that focused on high-risk areas 
having the greatest potential for beneficiary harm.
    To accomplish this we have combined all Part C and Part D audit 
elements into one universal guide which will also promote consistency, 
effectiveness and reduce financial and time burdens for both CMS and 
Medicare-contracting entities. The combined Medicare Part C & D 
Universal Audit Guide received OMB approval in 2010. The Health Plan 
Management System (HPMS) is the current conduit by which organizations 
submit many sources of audit materials such as bids and other ongoing 
updates to CMS. Please note the guide is very comprehensive in that it 
describes all areas that could be audited. Due to limited resources, 
CMS is unable to audit all areas for any particular sponsor. Some areas 
could be monitored by the account manager, etc. Other areas could be 
audited in the program audits.
    To maximize resources, CMS will focus on assisting the industry to 
improve their operations to ensure beneficiaries receive access to 
care. One way to accomplish this is CMS will develop an annual audit 
strategy which describes how sponsors will be selected for audit and 
the areas that will be audited. The audit strategy will be shared with 
the industry via the CMS Web site, HPMS memo, the Part C & D user call, 
and other conferences. Once the audit areas are defined, CMS will 
design audit protocols describing in detail the focus of the audit, the 
data required for the audit, etc. The Engagement Letter and Protocols 
will be sent to all sponsors selected for audit 4 weeks prior to 
starting the audit. In addition, the protocols will be released to the 
industry at the beginning of each calendar year via the same manner as 
the audit strategy. To assist in improving the audit process, CMS sends 
the plan sponsors a survey at the end of each audit to complete in 
order to obtain the sponsor's feedback. The sponsor is not required to 
complete the survey.
    Form Number: CMS-10191 (OCN 0938-1000). Frequency: Yearly. Affected 
Public: Private Sector (business or other for-profit and not-for-profit 
institutions). Number of Respondents: 195. Total Annual Responses: 195. 
Total Annual Hours: 24,180. (For policy questions regarding this 
collection contact Tracey Roberts at 410-786-8643. 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 March 25, 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/OMB 
Control Number ----, Room C4-26-05, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, 
Maryland 21244-1850.

    Dated: January 16, 2013.
Martique Jones,
Deputy Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic 
Operations and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2013-01167 Filed 1-18-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P
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