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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 184 (Monday, September 23, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77514-77515]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-21631]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[Document Identifiers: CMS-10170 and CMS-10156]

Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Health and Human 
Services (HHS).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is 
announcing an opportunity for the public to comment on CMS' intention 
to collect information from the public. Under the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (PRA), federal agencies are required to publish notice in 
the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of 
information, including each proposed extension or reinstatement of an 
existing collection of information, and to allow a second opportunity 
for public comment on the notice. Interested persons are invited to 
send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this 
collection of information, including the necessity and utility of the 
proposed information collection for the proper performance of the 
agency's functions, the accuracy of the estimated burden, ways to 
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be 
collected, and the use of automated collection techniques or other 
forms of information technology to minimize the information collection 
burden.

DATES: Comments on the collection(s) of information must be received by 
the OMB desk officer by October 23, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed 
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of 
this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular 
information collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--
Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function.
    To obtain copies of a supporting statement and any related forms 
for the proposed collection(s) summarized in this notice, please access 
the CMS PRA website by copying and pasting the following web address 
into your web browser: https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/PaperworkReductionActof1995/PRA-Listing.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Parham at (410) 786-4669.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), federal agencies must obtain approval from 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of 
information they conduct or sponsor. The term ``collection of 
information'' is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c) and 
includes agency requests or requirements that members of the public 
submit reports, keep records, or provide information to a third party. 
Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)) requires 
federal agencies to publish a 30-day notice in the Federal Register 
concerning each proposed collection of information, including each 
proposed extension or reinstatement of an existing collection of 
information, before submitting the collection to OMB for approval. To 
comply with this requirement, CMS is publishing this notice that 
summarizes the following proposed collection(s) of information for 
public comment:
    1. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently 
approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Retiree Drug 
Subsidy Payment Request and Instructions; Use: Under the Medicare 
Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 and 
implementing regulations at 42 CFR part 423 subpart R plan sponsors 
(e.g., employers, unions) who offer prescription drug coverage meeting 
specified criteria to their qualified covered retirees are eligible to 
receive a 28% subsidy for allowable drug costs, through the Retiree 
Drug Subsidy (RDS) Program. Section 423.886 describes the payment 
methods, including the provision of necessary information. The 
information provided in the payment request provides CMS with the 
information needed to pay RDS sponsors the subsidy.
    The application process for the RDS is a completely electronic 
process (100%). The basis for the decision for adopting this means of 
collection was to maximize efficiency. The only instance when hard 
copy/paper applications can be submitted is when the RDS Center is 
experiencing technical difficulties. The Plan Sponsor completes and 
submits the RDS application (including the Plan Sponsor's Authorized 
Representative's electronic signature) on-line, via the secure RDS 
Secure website, which is accessed at https://www.rds.cms.hhs.gov. Form 
Number: CMS-10170 (OMB control number: 0938-0977); Frequency: Yearly; 
Affected Public: Private; Business or other for-profits, and Not-for 
Profits; Number of Respondents: 1,245; Number of Responses: 1,245; 
Total Annual Hours: 187,995. (For questions regarding this collection, 
contact Ivan Iveljic at 410-786-3312 or [email protected].)
    2. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently 
approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Retiree Drug 
Subsidy (RDS) Application and Instructions ; Use: Under Sec.  1860D-22 
of the Social Security Act (Act), added by the Medicare Prescription 
Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) and implementing 
regulations at 42 CFR part 423 subpart R, Plan Sponsors (e.g., 
employers or unions) who offer prescription drug coverage to their 
qualified covered retirees are eligible to receive a 28% subsidy for 
allowable drug costs.

[[Page 77515]]

    CMS has contracted with an outside vendor to assist in the 
administration of the RDS program; this effort is called the RDS 
Center. Plan Sponsors will apply on-line for the retiree drug subsidy 
by logging on to the RDS Secure website. 42 CFR 423.844 describes the 
requirement for qualified retiree prescription drug plans who want to 
receive the retiree drug subsidy. Once the Plan Sponsor submits the RDS 
application via the RDS Secure website (and a valid initial retiree 
list) CMS, using its contractor, will analyze the application to 
determine whether the Plan Sponsor qualifies for the RDS. To qualify 
for the subsidy, the Plan Sponsor must show that its coverage is as 
generous as, or more generous than, the defined standard coverage under 
the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit. The information within 
the application includes sponsor account registration information, plan 
information, benefit options under the plan, actuary information and 
actuarial attestation. The RDS center has various checks within each 
section of the application. Applications can be denied if issues cannot 
be resolved. Form Number: CMS-10170 (OMB control number: 0938-0977); 
Frequency: Yearly; Affected Public: Private Sector; Business or other 
for-profits, and Not-for Profits; Number of Respondents: 1,245; Number 
of Responses: 1,245; Total Annual Hours: 79,680. (For questions 
regarding this collection, contact Ivan Iveljic at 410-786-3312 or 
[email protected].)

William N. Parham, III,
Director, Division of Information Collections and Regulatory Impacts, 
Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2024-21631 Filed 9-20-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P
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