[Federal Register: November 29, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 230)]
[Notices]
[Page 71177-71178]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29no02-90]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services
[Document Identifier: CMS-10076]
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 Center 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. We are requesting an emergency
review because the collection of this information is needed before the
expiration of the normal time limits under OMB's regulations at 5 CFR
part 1320. This is necessary to ensure compliance with an initiative of
the Administration. We cannot reasonably comply with the normal
clearance procedures because of an unanticipated event and possible
public harm.
The Administration identified that Medicare program authority to
assist beneficiaries could be linked to emerging opportunities in the
private sector to make prescription drugs more affordable to consumers.
Through educating Medicare beneficiaries about
[[Page 71178]]
these opportunities and assisting them in identifying prescription
discount card programs that are reputable and offer quality customer
service, these beneficiaries can reduce their out-of-pocket
expenditures for drugs substantially. Further, we believe under this
initiative that beneficiaries will be more compliant with prescription
drug treatment plans and consequently will make more optimal use of
their Medicare-covered services. This initiative is consistent not only
with the Secretary's duty under the Medicare program to educate
beneficiaries, but is also consistent with the Secretary's duties under
the Social Security Act to effectuate the purposes of the Medicare
program.
This collection of information is structured on the requirements
already articulated in the final rule entitled, ``Medicare-Endorsed
Prescription Drug Card Assistance Initiative'', published on September
4, 2002 (67 FR 56618).
CMS is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by
January 7, 2003, with a 180-day approval period. Written comments and
recommendations will be accepted from the public if received by the
individuals designated below by December 13, 2002. During this 180-day
period, we will publish a separate Federal Register notice announcing
the initiation of an extensive 60-day agency review and public comment
period on these requirements. We will submit the requirements for OMB
review and an extension of this emergency approval.
Type of Information Collection Request: New collection.
Title of Information Collection: Medicare-Endorsed Prescription
Drug Card Assistance Initiative.
Form No.: CMS-10076 (OMB 0938-NEW).
Use: CMS is soliciting applications from prescription discount card
programs so that it may endorse qualifying programs for Medicare
beneficiaries. CMS, on its website, and the endorsed programs, on
request, will make information available for Medicare beneficiaries to
use to compare the programs for possible enrollment in one of them.
Frequency: Annually, bi-annually, monthly.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, Not-for-profit
institutions.
Number of Respondents: 15.
Total Annual Responses: 15.
Total Annual Hours: 5,444.
Background
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking
applications from qualified entities interested in entering into a
Medicare endorsement agreement for their prescription discount card
program. The general purpose of this Medicare endorsement agreement
will be to publicize information that allows Medicare beneficiaries to
compare prescription drug discount cards, assist Medicare beneficiaries
in understanding and accessing private market methods for securing
discounts on the purchase of prescription drugs, and raise beneficiary
awareness of prescription drug discount card programs available in the
commercial market. Approximately 9 million Medicare beneficiaries are
without drug coverage at any point in a year. We expect this initiative
will help beneficiaries, particularly those who lack prescription drug
coverage, understand how drug discount card programs can lower
beneficiary out-of-pocket prescription drug expenses. Further, we
believe under this initiative that beneficiaries will be more compliant
with prescription drug treatment plans and consequently will make more
optimal use of their Medicare-covered services. This effort is not, in
any way, an offer of a Medicare-reimbursed drug benefit.
Readers can find the application for this initiative on the Web
site listed below. It is the final version subject to OMB approval.
We have submitted a copy of this notice to OMB for its review of
these information collections. A notice will be published in the
Federal Register when approval is obtained.
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://cms.hhs.gov/regulations/pra/default.asp, or
e-mail your request, including your address, phone number, OMB number,
and CMS document identifier, to Paperwork@hcfa.gov, or call the Reports
Clearance Office on (410) 786-1326.
Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the
burden or any other aspect of these collections of information
requirements. However, as noted above, comments on these information
collection and record keeping requirements must be mailed and/or faxed
to the designees referenced below, by December 13, 2002:
OMB Human Resources and Housing Branch, Attention: Brenda Aguilar, New
Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, Fax: 202-
395-6974,
And,
CMS, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs, Division of
Regulations Development and Issuances, Attention: Julie Brown, Room C5-
16-03, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850, Fax:
410-786-3064.
Dated: November 20, 2002.
John P. Burke, III,
Paperwork Reduction Act Team Leader, CMS Reports Clearance Officer,
Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs, Division of
Regulations Development and Issuances.
[FR Doc. 02-30367 Filed 11-27-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-03-P